200-201 Security Monitoring Practice Question
Which of the following is an example of an Indicator of Compromise (IoC)?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between an IoC (a specific artifact like a hash, IP, or domain) and a security tool or process (like a SIEM, firewall rule, or baseline), so candidates mistakenly classify operational components as IoCs.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
A file hash (SHA-256)
An Indicator of Compromise (IoC) is a piece of forensic data that identifies potentially malicious activity on a system or network. A file hash (SHA-256) is a classic IoC because it provides a unique cryptographic fingerprint of a known malicious file, allowing security tools to detect its presence across endpoints. This is a specific, actionable artifact that directly points to a compromise.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
A file hash (SHA-256)
Why this is correct
File hashes uniquely identify malware samples.
- ✗
A SIEM dashboard
Why it's wrong here
SIEM dashboards visualize data, not IoCs.
- ✗
A firewall rule
Why it's wrong here
Firewall rules are security controls, not IoCs.
- ✗
A network baseline
Why it's wrong here
Baselines define normal behavior, not IoCs.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 200-201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-201 exam.