The answer is to block the external IP 198.51.100.100 on the firewall and isolate the database server. This is correct because the database server is initiating an outbound SSH connection to an unknown external IP at 2:00 AM, transferring 500 MB of data—far exceeding typical administrative traffic—with no local account logins, which strongly indicates a compromised host using SSH for data exfiltration. On the Cisco CyberOps Associate 200-201 exam, this scenario tests your ability to apply the NIST incident response framework, specifically the containment phase, by recognizing that anomalous outbound SSH traffic from a server with no legitimate need for such connections is a classic exfiltration indicator. A common trap is focusing on investigating the SSH session or logs first, but immediate isolation and blocking the external IP are critical to stop data loss. Memory tip: "SSH out, data out—block and isolate without doubt."
200-201 Security Monitoring Practice Question
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of security monitoring. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
You are a security analyst at a healthcare organization. The organization uses Cisco Stealthwatch for network visibility and a SIEM for event correlation. You receive an alert that a medical records database server (IP 10.0.3.20) is communicating with an external IP (198.51.100.100) on port 22 (SSH) at 2:00 AM. The database server should have no outbound SSH connections; only remote administration is allowed from a management subnet via VPN. You check Stealthwatch and see that the connection duration is 30 minutes and the volume of data transferred is 500 MB. The database server logs show no local account logins at that time. The firewall logs show that the connection was initiated from the database server. The incident response team has been alerted. What is the most likely scenario and your immediate action?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Block the external IP 198.51.100.100 on the firewall and isolate the database server
The database server is initiating an outbound SSH connection to an unknown external IP at an anomalous time, transferring 500 MB of data—far beyond typical administrative traffic. This behavior, combined with no local account logins and the server's policy prohibiting outbound SSH, strongly indicates compromise (e.g., an attacker using SSH for data exfiltration). Immediate isolation and blocking the external IP are critical to contain the threat and prevent further data loss, aligning with incident response best practices.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Change the database administrator password immediately
Why it's wrong here
Password change is insufficient if the attacker has a remote access tool installed.
✗
Check if the SSH connection was an authorized remote administration session
Why it's wrong here
The connection originated from the database server, not from an admin; it is likely malicious.
✗
Investigate the database server logs for signs of compromise before taking action
Why it's wrong here
Containment must come before investigation to stop ongoing data loss.
✓
Block the external IP 198.51.100.100 on the firewall and isolate the database server
Why this is correct
Blocking the IP stops the exfiltration, and isolation prevents further compromise.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the candidate's ability to prioritize containment over investigation in active incident response scenarios, trapping those who choose to investigate first (Option C) instead of immediately isolating the compromised asset.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SSH tunneling can be used to exfiltrate data by encapsulating it within the encrypted SSH session, making it difficult for network monitoring tools to inspect the payload. The 500 MB transfer over 30 minutes suggests a sustained, high-volume data stream, which is atypical for interactive SSH sessions and more indicative of bulk data transfer (e.g., using `scp` or `rsync`). Cisco Stealthwatch uses NetFlow/IPFIX to detect such anomalous flows based on behavioral baselines, flagging the unusual destination, port, and data volume.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A network engineer segments a warehouse floor into three subnets: 20 scanners, 5 printers, and 2 management hosts. Picking the wrong mask wastes addresses or leaves too few usable hosts. Exam questions test whether you can apply CIDR notation, calculate block size, and identify the correct usable-host range for a given prefix.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Security Monitoring — This question tests Security Monitoring — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Block the external IP 198.51.100.100 on the firewall and isolate the database server — The database server is initiating an outbound SSH connection to an unknown external IP at an anomalous time, transferring 500 MB of data—far beyond typical administrative traffic. This behavior, combined with no local account logins and the server's policy prohibiting outbound SSH, strongly indicates compromise (e.g., an attacker using SSH for data exfiltration). Immediate isolation and blocking the external IP are critical to contain the threat and prevent further data loss, aligning with incident response best practices.
What should I do if I get this 200-201 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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