easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
ISC2 CC Practice Question: A security analyst receives an alert indicating…
A security analyst receives an alert indicating multiple failed login attempts from a single IP address targeting a user account. Which action should the analyst take FIRST?
⚠ Common exam trap
ISC2 often tests the principle that verification and analysis must precede any containment or eradication action, tempting candidates to jump to blocking the IP or disabling the account as a quick fix without confirming the alert's validity.
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
✓
Verify the alert and check if the account is compromised
The first step in incident response is to validate the alert. The analyst must verify that the failed login attempts are not a false positive (e.g., a user mistyping their password) and then check if the account has been compromised by reviewing logs for successful logins from the same IP or anomalous behavior. Prematurely disabling the account or blocking the IP could disrupt legitimate access or alert an attacker, while escalation to law enforcement is premature without confirmation of a breach.
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 user account immediately
Why it's wrong here
Disabling without verification could disrupt work.
- ✓
Verify the alert and check if the account is compromised
Why this is correct
Verification ensures the alert is not a false positive.
- ✗
Escalate the alert to law enforcement
Why it's wrong here
Escalation is premature without internal analysis.
- ✗
Block the IP address at the firewall
Why it's wrong here
Blocking without verification could impact legitimate users.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Introduction to Security Principles
Key term
Alert
An alert is a notification that something unusual or potentially harmful has happened in a computer system or network.
Key term
User
A user is any person, system, or device that interacts with an IT service, resource, or identity system, typically authenticated through credentials and authorized to perform specific actions.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.