Quick Answer
The answer is to configure a central SIEM with 24/7 monitoring. This is correct because a Security Information and Event Management system correlates logs from across the network in real time, and pairing it with continuous human oversight ensures that critical security events are analyzed and escalated even during off-hours, rather than relying solely on automated responses or periodic scans that can miss complex threats. On the ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity CC exam, this concept tests your understanding of the SOC’s operational best practices, often appearing in scenario-based questions where a trap answer suggests automatic blocking or daily log reviews. A common memory tip: think “SIEM + Eyes = No Surprises” — the system provides the data, but 24/7 monitoring provides the judgment.
This CC practice question tests your understanding of security operations. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
An organization wants to ensure that critical security events are not missed during off-hours. What is the best practice?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Rely on automatic responses
Why wrong: Automatic responses may not handle all scenarios and can miss subtle indicators.
Assign on-call duties only to senior analysts
Why wrong: This creates coverage gaps and burnout.
Schedule nightly scans
Why wrong: Scans are not real-time; events outside scans are missed.
Configure a central SIEM with 24/7 monitoring
SIEM provides continuous monitoring and alerting for critical events.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Configure a central SIEM with 24/7 monitoring
A central SIEM with 24/7 monitoring ensures that security events are continuously analyzed and alerted upon, even during off-hours. This is the best practice because it provides real-time correlation and escalation of critical events, preventing them from being missed. Relying on automatic responses or periodic scans lacks the human oversight needed for complex threat validation.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Rely on automatic responses
Why it's wrong here
Automatic responses may not handle all scenarios and can miss subtle indicators.
Assign on-call duties only to senior analysts
Why it's wrong here
This creates coverage gaps and burnout.
Schedule nightly scans
Why it's wrong here
Scans are not real-time; events outside scans are missed.
Configure a central SIEM with 24/7 monitoring
Why this is correct
SIEM provides continuous monitoring and alerting for critical events.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
ISC2 often tests the distinction between proactive security measures (like scheduled scans) and reactive monitoring practices (like 24/7 SIEM analysis), leading candidates to confuse vulnerability management with real-time event detection.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
Automatic responses may not handle all scenarios and can miss subtle indicators.
Detailed technical explanation
A SIEM aggregates logs from diverse sources (firewalls, IDS/IPS, endpoints) using protocols like Syslog or Windows Event Forwarding, then applies correlation rules (e.g., 5 failed logins in 10 seconds) to trigger alerts. In a 24/7 SOC, these alerts are triaged by analysts via a ticketing system (e.g., ServiceNow) with escalation paths to on-call engineers, ensuring coverage even at 3 AM. Real-world scenarios like a ransomware outbreak often begin off-hours, and a SIEM with continuous monitoring can detect lateral movement before encryption completes.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A security team runs a vulnerability scan on a web application and discovers an unpatched SQL injection flaw. The team prioritises remediation by CVSS score — critical flaws are patched within 24 hours, high within 7 days. Questions like this test whether you understand vulnerability management processes, scanning tools, and remediation prioritisation.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Security Operations — This question tests Security Operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Configure a central SIEM with 24/7 monitoring — A central SIEM with 24/7 monitoring ensures that security events are continuously analyzed and alerted upon, even during off-hours. This is the best practice because it provides real-time correlation and escalation of critical events, preventing them from being missed. Relying on automatic responses or periodic scans lacks the human oversight needed for complex threat validation.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
This CC practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 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 CC exam.
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