CAS-004 Security Operations Practice Question
An organization is deploying deception technology to detect lateral movement by attackers. Which of the following would be the most effective to detect an attacker who has gained access to the internal network and is attempting to move to a sensitive server?
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
✓
A honeytoken in the form of a fake password file on a file server
Honeytokens are deceptive data (e.g., fake credentials) placed on systems; if an attacker uses them, it triggers an alert. This is effective for detecting lateral movement without requiring interaction with a full honeypot.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
A honeytoken in the form of a fake password file on a file server
Why this is correct
Honeytokens like fake credentials are effective because they trigger alerts when an attacker attempts to use them for authentication.
- ✗
A network-based intrusion detection system (NIDS) on the segment
Why it's wrong here
NIDS may detect known attack patterns but can miss novel lateral movement techniques.
- ✗
A honeypot configured to mimic a high-value database server
Why it's wrong here
Honeypots can detect reconnaissance, but a honeytoken is more specific to credential use and lateral movement.
- ✗
An endpoint detection and response (EDR) agent on all workstations
Why it's wrong here
EDR is useful but may not specifically detect credential misuse without additional rules.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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