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False Positive Reduction Techniques in Intrusion Detection Systems
Which TWO actions are examples of false positive reduction techniques? (Choose two.)
Quick Answer
The correct answer is increasing the signature threshold and adding a destination IP to a whitelist. These two actions are classic false positive reduction techniques in intrusion detection systems because they directly filter out benign traffic that would otherwise trigger unnecessary alerts. Increasing the signature threshold requires a higher number of matches or a larger event count before an alert fires, effectively silencing low-level noise from common network chatter. Adding a destination IP to a whitelist excludes known safe hosts from inspection, preventing alerts for legitimate business traffic. On the Cisco CyberOps Associate 200-201 exam, this question tests your understanding of tuning IDS sensors to improve signal-to-noise ratio, a core skill for security analysts. A common trap is confusing false positive reduction with false negative reduction—remember that whitelisting and threshold tuning reduce false positives, while tuning signatures or updating rulebases reduces false negatives. Memory tip: think “raise the bar, skip the star”—raise the threshold and skip whitelisted hosts to cut the noise.
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between reducing false positives (by tuning or whitelisting) versus disabling detection entirely, so candidates mistakenly choose options like disabling signatures or removing sensors as valid reduction techniques.
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
✓
Adding destination IP to whitelist
Adding a destination IP to a whitelist (option C) reduces false positives by excluding known benign traffic from triggering alerts. Increasing the signature threshold (option E) reduces false positives by requiring a higher number of matches or a larger event count before an alert is generated, filtering out low-level noise.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Changing signature action from drop to alert
Why it's wrong here
Changing action does not reduce false positives; it changes response.
- ✗
Removing the sensor
Why it's wrong here
Removing sensor eliminates all detection.
- ✓
Adding destination IP to whitelist
Why this is correct
Whitelists prevent alerts for known safe traffic.
- ✗
Disabling all signatures
Why it's wrong here
Disabling removes detection completely, not a reduction technique.
- ✓
Increasing the signature threshold
Why this is correct
Thresholds reduce alerts for minor events.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on 200-201
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Which TWO actions are recommended when tuning IDS signatures to reduce false positives?
medium- A.Increase alert severity for all signatures
- B.Replace IDS with a next-generation firewall
- ✓ C.Modify signature thresholds to match typical traffic patterns
- D.Disable signatures that generate frequent alerts
- ✓ E.Whitelist known good behavior
Why C: Options C and E are correct. Modifying signature thresholds to match typical traffic patterns (C) and whitelisting known good behavior (E) are standard IDS tuning practices to reduce false positives. Option A is ineffective because increasing severity does not reduce false positive counts. Option B replaces the system rather than tuning it. Option D may remove detection of actual threats and is not recommended.
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.