XDR-Analyst Identity Threat Detection And Response Practice Question
An administrator is setting up User Risk Scoring within Cortex XDR. They notice that certain service accounts with high volumes of automated authentications are skewing the risk calculations. How should the administrator handle these service accounts in Cortex XDR to prevent false-positive risk elevations?
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
✓
Configure Identity Analytics exclusions or entity classifications for known service accounts
Administrators can configure exclusions or adjustments in Identity Analytics for specific service accounts or known non-human entity patterns to prevent skewed risk scores.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Configure Identity Analytics exclusions or entity classifications for known service accounts
Why this is correct
Excluding or properly tagging service accounts in Identity Analytics ensures behavioral baselines account for automated activity.
- ✗
Delete all authentication logs associated with service accounts from the Cortex XDR data lake
Why it's wrong here
Deleting raw logs damages forensic visibility and breaks log integrity.
- ✗
Disable Cortex XDR Agent protection on all Domain Controllers
Why it's wrong here
Disabling the agent removes critical visibility and security posture.
- ✗
Convert the service accounts into standard local administrator accounts
Why it's wrong here
Converting service accounts to local admins creates severe security vulnerabilities.
About these practice questions
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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 XDR-Analyst 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 XDR-Analyst exam.