hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
200-201 Practice Question: A security analyst for a mid-sized company with a…
You are a security analyst for a mid-sized company with a flat network topology. The company uses a single firewall for internet access and has no internal segmentation. Recently, the IT team deployed a new file server running Windows Server 2019. The server was configured with default settings and placed in the same subnet as all user workstations. Two weeks later, the helpdesk receives multiple complaints about slow network performance. Upon investigation, you notice the file server's network interface is sending a high volume of broadcast traffic. Additionally, you find that the server's firewall is disabled and it is running an outdated SMBv1 protocol. The CEO is concerned about potential data loss and asks for immediate remediation. Which of the following is the most effective and immediate course of action to address the most critical security vulnerability?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the concept that while network segmentation and firewalls are important security controls, they do not eliminate the underlying protocol vulnerability; the trap here is that candidates may focus on the broadcast traffic symptom or choose a slower, less direct solution like VLANs instead of the immediate fix of disabling the vulnerable service.
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
✓
Disable SMBv1 on the file server using PowerShell or Registry.
D is correct because the most critical security vulnerability is the outdated SMBv1 protocol, which is known to be exploited by ransomware like WannaCry and EternalBlue. Disabling SMBv1 immediately removes this attack vector, addressing the CEO's concern about potential data loss. While the broadcast traffic and disabled firewall are issues, SMBv1 poses a direct and severe risk to data integrity and confidentiality.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Enable the Windows Firewall on the file server and create rules to allow only essential traffic.
Why it's wrong here
Firewall helps but does not remove the SMBv1 vulnerability.
- ✗
Configure the switch to block broadcast traffic on the file server's port.
Why it's wrong here
Broadcast traffic is normal; blocking it may break network functionality.
- ✗
Create VLANs to segment the file server from user workstations.
Why it's wrong here
Segmentation is a long-term solution; not immediate.
- ✓
Disable SMBv1 on the file server using PowerShell or Registry.
Why this is correct
This directly removes the critical vulnerability exploited by malware.
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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.