CAS-004 Security Operations Practice Question
A SOC analyst is investigating an alert from the EDR system indicating that a user's workstation made multiple failed login attempts to a sensitive server, followed by a successful login from an unusual IP address. The analyst suspects a brute force attack. Which type of threat hunting methodology is being used?
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
✓
Hypothesis-driven hunting
This is hypothesis-driven threat hunting, as the analyst starts with a hypothesis (brute force attack) and then searches for evidence to confirm or deny it based on the alert.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Hypothesis-driven hunting
Why this is correct
The analyst formed a hypothesis based on an alert and is investigating.
- ✗
TTP-driven hunting
Why it's wrong here
TTP-driven hunting focuses on adversary behaviors, but the approach here is hypothesis-led.
- ✗
IoC-driven hunting
Why it's wrong here
IoC-driven hunting uses indicators of compromise, not a hypothesis.
- ✗
Baseline-driven hunting
Why it's wrong here
Baseline-driven compares to normal behavior; not explicitly stated.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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