The most significant finding from the SIEM service account event is that a service account is authenticating with a password rather than a certificate. This is the critical issue because service accounts, especially those used for backup operations like 'svc-backup', should rely on certificate-based or key-based authentication to eliminate the risk of credential theft, password reuse, and brute-force attacks; a password introduces a persistent, exploitable vulnerability that undermines the entire authentication control. On the CRISC exam, this question tests your ability to prioritize risk over mere symptoms—while multiple failed logins followed by a success might suggest a brute-force compromise, the real weakness is the authentication method itself, a common trap where candidates focus on the event pattern rather than the underlying control deficiency. Remember the memory tip: "Password on a service account is a permanent password problem—certificates expire, passwords persist."
CRISC Risk and Control Monitoring and Reporting Practice Question
This CRISC practice question tests your understanding of risk and control monitoring and reporting. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
CLI output from SIEM:
Event Time: 2024-03-15 08:23:45 UTC
Source IP: 203.0.113.5
User: svc-backup
Action: Failed login (password)
Target: db-admin@company.com
Count: 15 (last 5 minutes)
Event Time: 2024-03-15 08:24:12 UTC
Source IP: 203.0.113.5
User: svc-backup
Action: Successful login (password)
Target: db-admin@company.com
A SIEM event shows multiple failed logins followed by a successful login for the service account 'svc-backup'. The risk practitioner is evaluating the controls. Which finding is MOST significant?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
A service account is authenticating with a password rather than a certificate
The correct answer is B. The most significant issue is that a service account used for backup is authenticating with a password instead of a certificate or key, which is a security weakness. Option A is true but less significant than the authentication method. Option C is not indicated (no excessive privileges). Option D is about logging, which is present.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
The service account has excessive database privileges
Why it's wrong here
Not evident from login events.
✗
The failed login events were not logged in real time
Why it's wrong here
Events were logged; timestamps show near-real-time.
✗
Failed logins indicate a possible brute force attack
Why it's wrong here
Possible but less significant than authentication method.
✓
A service account is authenticating with a password rather than a certificate
Why this is correct
Service accounts should use strong, non-password authentication.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Events were logged; timestamps show near-real-time.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Authentication checks who the user is.
Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
→Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
→Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
→Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related CRISC questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Risk and Control Monitoring and Reporting — This question tests Risk and Control Monitoring and Reporting — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: A service account is authenticating with a password rather than a certificate — The correct answer is B. The most significant issue is that a service account used for backup is authenticating with a password instead of a certificate or key, which is a security weakness. Option A is true but less significant than the authentication method. Option C is not indicated (no excessive privileges). Option D is about logging, which is present.
What should I do if I get this CRISC question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related CRISC questions on access control and AAA configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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