This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of security monitoring. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
Which THREE of the following are best practices for implementing security logging and monitoring? (Select 3)
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Define alert thresholds based on baselines
Defining alert thresholds based on baselines is a best practice because it allows the security monitoring system to distinguish between normal and anomalous behavior. By establishing a baseline of typical network traffic, CPU usage, or login patterns, you can set thresholds that trigger alerts only when deviations occur, reducing false positives and ensuring that genuine security incidents are not missed.
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.
✓
Define alert thresholds based on baselines
Why this is correct
Baselines reduce false positives.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Synchronize device clocks using NTP
Why this is correct
Accurate timestamps are critical for correlation.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Minimize log retention to reduce storage costs
Why it's wrong here
Retention must meet compliance and forensic needs.
✓
Centralize logs to a dedicated log server
Why this is correct
Centralization improves correlation and security.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Log only during incident response to reduce noise
Why it's wrong here
Continuous logging is necessary for detection.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that logging should be minimized to reduce noise or storage costs, but the correct approach is to log continuously and use baselines and centralized aggregation to manage volume and relevance.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Baseline establishment often involves statistical analysis over a defined period (e.g., 30 days) to calculate mean and standard deviation for metrics like packets per second or failed login attempts. Alert thresholds are then set at a certain number of standard deviations (e.g., 3σ) above the mean, which in a normal distribution captures 99.7% of legitimate traffic, minimizing false positives while still catching anomalies. In real-world scenarios, failing to update baselines after network changes (e.g., a new application deployment) can lead to alert fatigue or missed attacks.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
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: Define alert thresholds based on baselines — Defining alert thresholds based on baselines is a best practice because it allows the security monitoring system to distinguish between normal and anomalous behavior. By establishing a baseline of typical network traffic, CPU usage, or login patterns, you can set thresholds that trigger alerts only when deviations occur, reducing false positives and ensuring that genuine security incidents are not missed.
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: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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