SecOps-Architect Practice Question: Secops Frameworks And Threat Response Architecture
An architect is designing an automated containment workflow in Cortex XDR where an endpoint must be isolated only if it is confirmed to be communicating with a known Command and Control (C2) server. Which XQL query logic accurately identifies this condition before triggering isolation?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
dataset = xdr_data | filter alert_name = 'C2 Communication' and causal_agent_id != null | fields agent_id, C2_ip
XQL queries aggregate alerts and network events to confirm C2 communication status before automated action.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
dataset = xdr_data | filter alert_name = 'C2 Communication' and causal_agent_id != null | fields agent_id, C2_ip
Why this is correct
This query filters for confirmed C2 alerts associated with an active agent ID.
- ✗
dataset = endpoint_logs | summarize failed_logins = count() by user_name
Why it's wrong here
This query analyzes brute-force logins, not C2 communication.
- ✗
dataset = xdr_data | filter event_type = 'network' and action = 'allowed' | stats count() by actor_process_image_path
Why it's wrong here
This query only checks network activity without confirming C2 destination.
- ✗
dataset = network_traffic | filter bytes > 1000000
Why it's wrong here
This query checks bandwidth usage, not threat indicators.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed August 2026 · checked against the official Palo Alto Networks exam blueprint
This SecOps-Architect practice question is part of Courseiva's free Palo Alto Networks certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the SecOps-Architect exam.