The correct first action is to investigate the workstation for possible malware. This is because unexpected outbound traffic to an external IP on port 443 (HTTPS) is a classic indicator of a command-and-control beacon or data exfiltration, and the priority is to gather forensic evidence before taking any disruptive steps. On the ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity CC exam, this scenario tests your understanding of incident response order of operations, specifically that investigation precedes containment. A common trap is choosing to immediately block the traffic or disable the port, which could destroy evidence or alert an attacker. Remember the memory tip: "Investigate before you isolate" — always confirm the threat before cutting off communication.
ISC2 CC Network Security Practice Question
This CC practice question tests your understanding of network security. 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.
A network administrator notices unusual traffic from an internal workstation to an external IP address on port 443. The workstation has no business reason for such communication. Which action should the administrator take first?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Investigate the workstation for possible malware.
Option C is correct because the first priority when encountering unexpected outbound traffic to an external IP on port 443 (HTTPS) is to investigate the workstation for possible malware. This traffic could indicate a command-and-control (C2) beacon or data exfiltration, and immediate investigation allows the administrator to gather forensic evidence before taking disruptive actions. Disabling the port or blocking traffic without investigation could destroy evidence or alert an attacker, while allowing the traffic would be negligent.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Disable the workstation's network port.
Why it's wrong here
Disabling the port is drastic; investigation is needed first.
✗
Block all outbound traffic from that workstation immediately.
Why it's wrong here
Blocking immediately may disrupt legitimate processes and does not address the root cause.
✓
Investigate the workstation for possible malware.
Why this is correct
Investigating helps determine if the traffic is malicious or a false positive.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Configure a firewall rule to allow the traffic and log it.
Why it's wrong here
Allowing suspicious traffic increases risk; logging is secondary to investigation.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests the principle of 'investigate before acting' to avoid destroying evidence, and the trap here is that candidates may choose a reactive security measure (like blocking or disabling) instead of following proper incident response procedures.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Port 443 is used for HTTPS (TLS/SSL), which is commonly abused by malware to blend in with legitimate encrypted traffic. Tools like Wireshark or netstat can be used to identify the process initiating the connection (e.g., via PID), and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions can capture memory dumps or process trees. In a real-world scenario, the administrator should isolate the workstation from the network (e.g., by disabling the switch port) only after capturing volatile data, such as running processes and active connections, to preserve forensic integrity.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A SOC analyst notices unusual lateral movement in the network at 2 AM. The IR playbook dictates: identify and contain (isolate the affected machine), then eradicate (remove the malware), then recover (restore from backup), then document. Skipping containment before eradication risks the attacker regaining access. Questions like this test the sequence and rationale of incident response phases.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CC question in full detail.
Network Security — This question tests Network Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Investigate the workstation for possible malware. — Option C is correct because the first priority when encountering unexpected outbound traffic to an external IP on port 443 (HTTPS) is to investigate the workstation for possible malware. This traffic could indicate a command-and-control (C2) beacon or data exfiltration, and immediate investigation allows the administrator to gather forensic evidence before taking disruptive actions. Disabling the port or blocking traffic without investigation could destroy evidence or alert an attacker, while allowing the traffic would be negligent.
What should I do if I get this CC question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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