Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A security analyst detects a high volume of failed authentication attempts from IP address 203.0.113.1 against a web application. The attempts use different usernames, such as 'admin', 'root', 'test', and several common names. Account lockout policies are configured to lock an account after five failed attempts. Despite this, the analyst sees the attempts continuing over several hours. Which of the following security controls is most likely missing or improperly configured?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
Distractor review
Increase the account lockout threshold to a lower number
This would lock accounts more quickly but does not address the core issue: the attacker uses many different usernames. Locking accounts faster does not prevent the attacker from moving to the next username.
B
Distractor review
Implement geofencing to block traffic from the attacker's region
Geofencing restricts access based on geographic location, but it does not stop a determined attacker who may use a VPN or proxy. It is not a direct mitigation for brute force attacks across usernames.
C
Best answer
Configure rate limiting per source IP address
Rate limiting on the application or firewall level restricts the number of authentication attempts from a single IP address over a given time period, regardless of the username being tried. This directly counters the attacker's strategy of rotating usernames to bypass account lockout.
D
Distractor review
Enable detailed failed login attempt logging
While logging helps with detection and forensic analysis, it does not prevent the attack from continuing. The analyst already observed the attempts; proactive controls like rate limiting are needed.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
- Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
- NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
- Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
- Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
- Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
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More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
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Question 2
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Question 3
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Question 4
You are handed a company laptop suspected in an insider theft case. Legal says the evidence may be needed in court. Which action best preserves admissibility?
Question 5
A developer wants to reduce the risk of SQL injection in a new customer search form. Which two changes are the best mitigations? Select two.
Question 6
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure rate limiting per source IP address — The scenario describes an attacker performing a brute force attack across multiple usernames, bypassing the account lockout mechanism that only locks individual accounts. The most effective control to mitigate this is rate limiting per source IP address, which restricts the number of authentication attempts from a single IP regardless of the username. Account lockout per username is insufficient here because the attacker simply moves to a new username after the account is locked. Geofencing would block traffic from geographic regions but is not a direct countermeasure to this attack pattern. Failed login logging is useful for detection but does not prevent the ongoing attack.
What should I do if I get this SY0-701 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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