hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1102 Practice Question: A security incident occurred on a Windows 10…
A security incident occurred on a Windows 10 workstation where an unauthorized user gained access. The technician needs to review detailed security events, such as logon attempts and file access, to determine the scope of the breach. Which tool should the technician use to examine these logs?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the distinction between tools that configure security settings (Local Security Policy) versus tools that review logged events (Event Viewer), leading candidates to confuse policy configuration with log review.
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
✓
Event Viewer
Event Viewer is the correct tool because it provides a centralized, detailed log of security-related events, including logon attempts (Event ID 4624 for successful logons, 4625 for failed logons) and file access audits (Event ID 4663). These logs are essential for forensic analysis to determine the scope of a breach on a Windows 10 workstation.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Event Viewer
Why this is correct
The Event Viewer is the definitive tool for investigating past security incidents on a Windows 10 workstation. It centralizes system logs, with the 'Windows Logs > Security' section specifically detailing events like logon attempts, object access, and privilege use. Each entry includes a timestamp, user account, and an Event ID, providing crucial forensic data to reconstruct the sequence of events during a security breach.
- ✗
Resource Monitor
Why it's wrong here
Resource Monitor provides real-time insights into a system's current resource utilization, including CPU, memory, disk I/O, and network activity. While useful for diagnosing performance bottlenecks or identifying active processes, it does not retain historical records of security-related events or audit logs. Therefore, it cannot be used to retrospectively analyze a security incident that has already occurred.
- ✗
Performance Monitor
Why it's wrong here
Performance Monitor is primarily designed for collecting and analyzing system performance data through various counters over time. It allows administrators to track metrics like processor usage, disk queue length, and network bandwidth, often configured via Data Collector Sets for long-term trending. However, it is not equipped to log or display specific security audit events, making it unsuitable for incident investigation.
- ✗
Local Security Policy
Why it's wrong here
Local Security Policy is a configuration utility used to define security settings for a local computer, including audit policies, user rights assignments, and password requirements. While it is essential for *enabling* the logging of security events, such as auditing successful or failed logons, it does not provide an interface to *view* the actual events once they have been logged. Its function is to set the rules, not to display the results.
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Related to this question
Learn chapter
Windows Editions and Features
Key term
Security
Security in IT is the practice of protecting systems, networks, and data from unauthorized access, damage, or theft.
Key term
Event
An event is any identifiable occurrence or action in a computer system, network, or application that can be logged, monitored, or analyzed for security or operational purposes.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1202 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA 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 220-1202 exam.