Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A security analyst is reviewing the perimeter firewall logs. The analyst observes repeated TCP SYN packets from a single external IP address (203.0.113.50) to multiple internal IP addresses on TCP port 3389. The packets are sent with a consistent 50-millisecond interval. There are no subsequent SYN-ACK or RST packets from the internal hosts in the logs. The analyst suspects this is a reconnaissance scan. Which of the following additional log sources would provide the most definitive evidence to confirm this suspicion?
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
DNS query logs from the internal DNS server
DNS logs record domain name resolution queries, not raw TCP connection attempts. They would not show the SYN packets or the scan pattern.
B
Distractor review
Web proxy logs from the corporate proxy server
Web proxy logs only capture HTTP/HTTPS traffic that is explicitly proxied. RDP traffic on port 3389 would not typically go through a web proxy, so these logs would not contain relevant data.
C
Best answer
Intrusion detection system (IDS) logs from a network-based IDS placed behind the firewall
A network-based IDS monitors all traffic and uses signatures to detect reconnaissance activities such as port scans. The IDS logs would provide an alert with the signature name (e.g., 'TCP Port Scan') and details about the source IP and targeted hosts, confirming the scan.
D
Distractor review
VPN gateway authentication logs
VPN gateway logs record successful and failed authentication attempts for remote users. They do not capture external connection attempts that do not reach the VPN server or involve authentication.
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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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: Intrusion detection system (IDS) logs from a network-based IDS placed behind the firewall — A TCP SYN scan sends SYN packets to multiple ports or IPs without completing the three-way handshake, indicating reconnaissance. An IDS is designed to detect such patterns using signatures (e.g., 'TCP Port Scan') and provides definitive evidence by identifying the scan type and source. Other log sources like DNS, proxy, or VPN logs do not capture raw TCP connection attempts and cannot confirm a scan.
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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