- A
Telnet (port 23)
Why wrong: Telnet is unencrypted and rarely used for secure administration; SSH is preferred.
- B
SSH (port 22)
SSH is a secure remote administration protocol.
- C
RDP (port 3389)
RDP is a common remote desktop protocol for Windows.
- D
SNMP (port 161/162)
Why wrong: SNMP is for network management, not remote administration.
- E
FTP (port 20/21)
Why wrong: FTP is for file transfer, not remote administration.
Question 84 of 1,000
200-201 Security Monitoring Practice Question
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 TWO protocols are commonly used for remote administration and should be monitored for unauthorized access?
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
✓
SSH (port 22)
SSH (port 22) is correct because it provides encrypted remote administration, making it a common target for brute-force attacks and unauthorized access attempts. RDP (port 3389) is correct because it is the primary protocol for remote GUI administration on Windows systems and is frequently exploited via credential stuffing or vulnerability scanning. Both protocols should be monitored for anomalous login patterns and unauthorized access.
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.
- ✗
Telnet (port 23)
- ✓
SSH (port 22)
Why this is correct
SSH is a secure remote administration protocol.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
RDP (port 3389)
Why this is correct
RDP is a common remote desktop protocol for Windows.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
SNMP (port 161/162)
Why it's wrong here
SNMP is for network management, not remote administration.
- ✗
FTP (port 20/21)
Why it's wrong here
FTP is for file transfer, not remote administration.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between protocols used for remote administration (SSH, RDP) versus those used for network management (SNMP) or file transfer (FTP), and candidates may mistakenly include Telnet because it is historically associated with remote access, despite its lack of encryption and modern disuse.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SSH uses a client-server model with public-key cryptography for authentication and session encryption, typically leveraging the Diffie-Hellman key exchange. RDP uses the T.128 protocol stack and supports Network Level Authentication (NLA) for pre-authentication; unauthorized access often targets weak passwords or unpatched vulnerabilities like BlueKeep (CVE-2019-0708). In real-world SOC monitoring, failed login thresholds and geolocation anomalies are key indicators of brute-force attacks against these services.
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 practitioner preparing for the 200-201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-201 question test?
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: SSH (port 22) — SSH (port 22) is correct because it provides encrypted remote administration, making it a common target for brute-force attacks and unauthorized access attempts. RDP (port 3389) is correct because it is the primary protocol for remote GUI administration on Windows systems and is frequently exploited via credential stuffing or vulnerability scanning. Both protocols should be monitored for anomalous login patterns and unauthorized access.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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.
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