This CS0-003 practice question tests your understanding of security operations. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. A key principle to apply: suricata/Snort in IDS mode passively monitors network traffic.. 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.
A network sensor must detect exploit traffic using packet payload signatures and generate alerts without blocking traffic. Which deployment is BEST? In the detection engineering phase, Which detection or tuning approach would reduce noise without losing the signal?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Suricata or Snort in IDS mode on a monitored network tap or SPAN port
Option C is correct because Suricata or Snort configured in IDS (Intrusion Detection System) mode on a monitored network tap or SPAN port passively inspects packet payloads against signatures and generates alerts without blocking traffic. This matches the requirement to detect exploit traffic and alert, not block. IDS mode uses a copy of the traffic, so it cannot drop packets, fulfilling the 'without blocking traffic' constraint.
Key principle: Suricata/Snort in IDS mode passively monitors network traffic.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Host-based file integrity monitoring only
Why it's wrong here
FIM detects file changes on hosts, not network exploit payloads.
✗
Inline IPS mode with drop rules for all signatures
Why it's wrong here
Inline blocking can be useful, but the requirement is detection without blocking.
✓
Suricata or Snort in IDS mode on a monitored network tap or SPAN port
Why this is correct
IDS mode observes traffic and alerts on signatures while avoiding inline blocking impact.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Suricata/Snort in IDS mode passively monitors network traffic.
✗
A vulnerability scanner run once per quarter
Why it's wrong here
Quarterly scans do not provide continuous packet-level detection.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between IDS and IPS modes, where candidates mistakenly choose inline IPS (Option B) thinking it provides better detection, but the question explicitly requires no blocking, making passive IDS the only correct choice.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In IDS mode, Suricata or Snort uses libpcap or AF_PACKET to capture a copy of packets from a network tap or SPAN port, processing them against signatures (e.g., ET rules) without affecting the original flow. A common real-world scenario is deploying IDS on a SPAN port of a core switch to monitor east-west traffic for exploit payloads like SQL injection or shellcode, where blocking could cause false-positive outages. Under the hood, IDS mode lacks the NFQUEUE or iptables integration used in IPS mode to drop packets, ensuring passive operation.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Suricata/Snort in IDS mode passively monitors network traffic.
IDS mode generates alerts based on signature matches without blocking.
Network taps or SPAN ports provide a copy of traffic for passive analysis.
Packet payload signatures are used to detect exploit attempts.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Suricata/Snort in IDS mode passively monitors network traffic.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A security team runs a vulnerability scan on a web application and discovers an unpatched SQL injection flaw. The team prioritises remediation by CVSS score — critical flaws are patched within 24 hours, high within 7 days. Questions like this test whether you understand vulnerability management processes, scanning tools, and remediation prioritisation.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CS0-003 question in full detail.
Review suricata/Snort in IDS mode passively monitors network traffic., then practise related CS0-003 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Security Operations — This question tests Security Operations — Suricata/Snort in IDS mode passively monitors network traffic..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Suricata or Snort in IDS mode on a monitored network tap or SPAN port — Option C is correct because Suricata or Snort configured in IDS (Intrusion Detection System) mode on a monitored network tap or SPAN port passively inspects packet payloads against signatures and generates alerts without blocking traffic. This matches the requirement to detect exploit traffic and alert, not block. IDS mode uses a copy of the traffic, so it cannot drop packets, fulfilling the 'without blocking traffic' constraint.
What should I do if I get this CS0-003 question wrong?
Review suricata/Snort in IDS mode passively monitors network traffic., then practise related CS0-003 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Suricata/Snort in IDS mode passively monitors network traffic.
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