Quick Answer
The answer is the Security log. This is the correct choice because the Windows Security log is specifically designed to record audit events, including all successful and failed logon attempts, with Event ID 4624 marking a successful logon. By reviewing this log, an analyst can cross-reference the timestamp of each authentication event against expected working hours, directly addressing the need to determine if a user's account was used to log in at an unusual time. On the Cisco CyberOps Associate 200-201 exam, this question tests your understanding of Windows logging architecture and the distinction between the System log (which records driver or service events) and the Security log (which captures authentication and privilege use). A common trap is confusing the Security log with the Application log, which stores program-specific errors rather than logon events. Remember the mnemonic: “4624 for the door, Security is the floor”—Event ID 4624 lives in the Security log, your go-to for any logon timeline analysis.
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of host-based analysis. 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.
An analyst needs to review the Windows event logs from a host to determine if a user's account was used to log in at an unusual time. Which log type should the analyst check?
Application
Why wrong: Application log records application-specific events, not logon.
System
Why wrong: System log contains driver and service events, not logon.
Setup
Why wrong: Setup log contains events related to Windows installation.
Security
Security log records logon/logoff events.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Security
The Security log in Windows Event Viewer records audit events, including successful and failed logon attempts (Event ID 4624 for successful logons). This log type is the correct source for determining if a user's account was used to log in at an unusual time, as it captures the timestamp and details of each authentication event.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Application
Why it's wrong here
Application log records application-specific events, not logon.
System
Why it's wrong here
System log contains driver and service events, not logon.
Setup
Why it's wrong here
Setup log contains events related to Windows installation.
Security
Why this is correct
Security log records logon/logoff events.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Cisco often tests the distinction between the Security log (which records authentication events) and the System log (which records system-level events), leading candidates to mistakenly choose the System log for logon analysis.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, the Security log is populated by the Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS) when audit policies are configured, such as 'Audit Logon Events' under Advanced Audit Policy or Group Policy. Event ID 4624 includes detailed fields like Logon Type (e.g., 2 for interactive, 10 for remote interactive), Logon Process, and Authentication Package, which allow an analyst to correlate logon times with user accounts. In a real-world scenario, an analyst might filter for Logon Type 10 to detect suspicious RDP logins outside business hours.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Host-Based Analysis — This question tests Host-Based Analysis — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Security — The Security log in Windows Event Viewer records audit events, including successful and failed logon attempts (Event ID 4624 for successful logons). This log type is the correct source for determining if a user's account was used to log in at an unusual time, as it captures the timestamp and details of each authentication event.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 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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