ISC2 CC Security Operations Practice Question
A security operations center receives an alert that a workstation is communicating with a known command-and-control IP address over HTTPS on port 443. The endpoint agent shows no malware signature match. Which containment action should the analyst take first to limit damage while preserving the ability to investigate?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is treating any confirmed compromise as a reason to power off the machine immediately, when doing so destroys volatile memory that investigators rely on.
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
✓
Isolate the workstation from the network using the endpoint agent's network containment feature.
When an endpoint shows beaconing to known command-and-control infrastructure but no signature match, the priority is to sever the attacker's channel without destroying evidence. Endpoint network containment isolates the host while keeping memory and running processes available for forensic capture. Powering off, deleting files, or blocking a single external IP either destroys evidence or leaves the compromised host free to communicate and move laterally.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Isolate the workstation from the network using the endpoint agent's network containment feature.
Why this is correct
Network isolation via the endpoint agent stops the command-and-control communication and prevents lateral movement while keeping the host powered on and its memory intact. This preserves volatile evidence such as running processes and network connections for forensic analysis. It is the fastest containment step that balances damage limitation with investigative value.
- ✗
Immediately power off the workstation to stop any malicious activity.
Why it's wrong here
Powering off the machine destroys volatile memory contents, including running processes, injected code, and active network connections that investigators need. It may also trigger full-disk encryption lockouts or prevent decryption if keys are only in memory. Shutting down is overly destructive when network isolation achieves containment without losing evidence.
- ✗
Block the destination IP address at the perimeter firewall and continue monitoring the workstation.
Why it's wrong here
Blocking one IP address at the perimeter does not prevent the host from reaching the attacker through other addresses, domains, or protocols. The workstation remains compromised and can still spread laterally within the internal network. Passive monitoring delays containment and allows the attacker more time to operate.
- ✗
Delete the suspicious files identified by the endpoint agent and run a full antivirus scan.
Why it's wrong here
The endpoint agent reported no signature match, so deleting files based on a guess may remove evidence or miss the actual malicious component. Running a scan does not stop the active command-and-control channel, and the host remains connected to the attacker. This approach risks both incomplete containment and loss of forensic artifacts.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Access Control Fundamentals
Key term
Containment
Containment is the incident response phase where security teams isolate a compromised system or network to prevent the threat from spreading further while preserving evidence.
Key term
Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure
Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure, or HTTPS, is the secure version of HTTP that encrypts data between a web browser and a website using SSL/TLS to protect sensitive information like passwords and credit card numbers.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official ISC2 exam blueprint
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