200-201 Host-Based Analysis Practice Question
Which Windows Event ID is recorded when a user account is created, indicating potential unauthorized account creation?
⚠ Common exam trap
200-201 often tests Windows Event ID memorization — candidates confuse 4720 (account created) with 4726 (account deleted) or 4624 (logon), so precise ID-to-action mapping is essential.
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
✓
4720
Windows Security Event ID 4720 is logged when a user account is created. It is a key indicator for detecting unauthorized account creation, which attackers use for persistence and privilege escalation. This directly matches the question.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
4726
Why it's wrong here
Event ID 4726 is logged when a user account is deleted, not created. Account creation is recorded as 4720, which the stem's unauthorised-creation scenario requires. 4726 would be the correct answer when investigating unexpected removal of accounts, such as attacker cleanup after persistence.
- ✗
4648
Why it's wrong here
Event ID 4648 records a logon attempt using explicit credentials, such as runas or scheduled tasks, not account creation. The stem requires 4720, logged when a new user account object is created. 4648 would be correct when tracing credential use or suspected lateral movement with alternate credentials.
- ✗
4624
Why it's wrong here
Event 4624 logs a successful logon, not account creation; it fires whenever existing credentials authenticate, so it cannot flag new accounts. It is tempting because both events share the logon category, but 4720 specifically records user account creation, which is the activity the scenario asks about.
- ✓
4720
Why this is correct
Event ID 4720 is logged in the Windows Security log whenever a user account is created. Monitoring for it surfaces unauthorised account creation, since legitimate provisioning should be attributable to known administrators or automated processes.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Cisco exam blueprint
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.