A company is enhancing its network security posture. The security team deploys a system that passively monitors network traffic, analyzes packets for signs of malicious activity, and generates alerts when suspicious patterns are detected. This system does not actively block or modify any traffic. Which type of security control does this system BEST represent?
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.
Distractor review
Preventive control
Incorrect. Preventive controls are designed to stop security incidents before they occur, such as firewalls or access control lists. An IDS does not block traffic; it only monitors and alerts.
Best answer
Detective control
Correct. A detective control identifies and logs security events after they happen or in real time. The described system passively monitors and generates alerts, which is the hallmark of a detective control like an IDS.
Distractor review
Corrective control
Incorrect. Corrective controls are implemented to remediate or recover from an incident (e.g., backup restoration, patching a vulnerability). An IDS does not take action to fix issues; it only detects them.
Distractor review
Deterrent control
Incorrect. Deterrent controls aim to discourage potential attackers (e.g., warning signs, security cameras). While an IDS can indirectly deter, its primary function is detection, not deterrence.
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.
Question 1
A laptop is suspected of being used in a malware incident. It is still powered on and connected to Wi-Fi. What should the responder do before shutting it down?
Question 2
An employee reports a ransomware note on a file server. The server is still powered on, shares are still being accessed, and management wants service restored as quickly as possible. What should the incident response team do first?
Question 3
An employee reports a ransomware note on a finance laptop. The laptop is still powered on, connected to Wi-Fi, and the user says they were just working in a spreadsheet. Management wants the fastest safe response that also preserves evidence. What should the responder do first?
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
A branch office uses a flat LAN, and a compromise on one user workstation could spread quickly to finance systems. Management wants finance workstations isolated from general users, but finance staff still need access to a central finance application and network printer. What is the best design change?
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: Detective control — Security controls are categorized by their function: preventive (stop incidents), detective (identify incidents), corrective (restore after incidents), and deterrent (discourage incidents). An intrusion detection system (IDS) passively monitors and alerts, making it a detective control. It does not prevent, correct, or deter on its own.
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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