Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A SOC analyst receives a SIEM alert for a possible brute-force attack against a remote access portal. The alert shows 240 failed logins from the same source IP over 4 minutes, followed by one successful login. Before escalating as an incident, what is the BEST evidence to check to determine whether the alert is a false positive caused by approved activity?
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
Whether the firewall is in inline mode
Firewall mode affects traffic handling, but it does not help determine whether the login pattern was authorized maintenance.
B
Distractor review
Whether the source IP belongs to the company help desk
Knowing the source is internal may help, but it does not prove the logins were authorized or expected.
C
Best answer
Whether there is a change ticket or test plan for the access portal and the activity matches the approved maintenance window
A documented change, test plan, and matching maintenance window provide the strongest evidence that the alert reflects approved work rather than malicious activity.
D
Distractor review
Whether the user account has MFA enabled
MFA status matters for risk, but it does not confirm whether the repeated login attempts were legitimate or expected.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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.
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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.
Question 1
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Question 2
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Question 3
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Question 4
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Question 5
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Question 6
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Whether there is a change ticket or test plan for the access portal and the activity matches the approved maintenance window — The best way to validate a suspected false positive is to correlate the alert with approved operational activity. A change ticket, test plan, or scheduled maintenance window can explain why a burst of failed logins and a later success occurred. This approach ties the technical alert to business context, which is essential in security monitoring. It avoids unnecessary escalation while still requiring evidence before dismissing the event. Why others are wrong: A may indicate the source is internal, but internal activity can still be malicious or unauthorized. C is important for account protection, yet MFA alone does not explain the failed and successful login sequence. D is unrelated to whether the activity was planned. None of these options provide the operational context needed to decide if the alert is a true issue or an approved test.
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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