- A
Check threat intelligence feeds for the external IP address.
Threat intelligence can confirm if the IP is associated with malicious activity.
- B
Increase logging for all traffic to that IP.
Why wrong: Logging alone does not investigate; it only provides more data.
- C
Disable the firewall rule that is blocking the connections.
Why wrong: Disabling the rule would allow the traffic.
- D
Block all outbound traffic from the source system.
Why wrong: Blocking may be premature before full investigation.
- E
Identify the internal system generating the connections.
Finding the source helps isolate the compromised host.
Question 804 of 1,000
ISC2 CC Security Operations Practice Question
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.
A security analyst is reviewing firewall logs and notices an unusually high number of blocked outbound connections to a single external IP address. Which TWO actions should the analyst take to investigate this potential security incident? (Choose two.)
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
✓
Check threat intelligence feeds for the external IP address.
Investigating the source system helps determine if it is compromised; checking threat intelligence can reveal if the IP is known malicious.
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.
- ✓
Check threat intelligence feeds for the external IP address.
Why this is correct
Threat intelligence can confirm if the IP is associated with malicious activity.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Increase logging for all traffic to that IP.
Why it's wrong here
Logging alone does not investigate; it only provides more data.
- ✗
Disable the firewall rule that is blocking the connections.
Why it's wrong here
Disabling the rule would allow the traffic.
- ✗
Block all outbound traffic from the source system.
Why it's wrong here
Blocking may be premature before full investigation.
- ✓
Identify the internal system generating the connections.
Why this is correct
Finding the source helps isolate the compromised host.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which CC exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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Security Operations — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CC question test?
Security Operations — This question tests Security Operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Check threat intelligence feeds for the external IP address. — Investigating the source system helps determine if it is compromised; checking threat intelligence can reveal if the IP is known malicious.
What should I do if I get this CC question wrong?
Identify which CC exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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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