easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
ISC2 CC Practice Question: A SOC analyst reviews an alert indicating a high…
A SOC analyst reviews an alert indicating a high number of failed login attempts from a single external IP address targeting multiple user accounts. Which security control is most effective at preventing this type of attack?
⚠ Common exam trap
ISC2 often tests the misconception that a WAF (Option A) can stop brute-force attacks, but the trap is that WAFs operate at Layer 7 for web traffic and do not control authentication attempts against native OS or directory service logins.
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
✓
Implementing account lockout policies
Account lockout policies directly mitigate brute-force attacks by temporarily disabling an account after a defined number of failed login attempts (e.g., 5 failures within 15 minutes). This prevents the attacker from continuing to guess passwords for multiple user accounts from a single external IP, without affecting legitimate users who can be unlocked after a lockout duration or via an administrative reset.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Deploying a web application firewall
Why it's wrong here
A WAF protects web applications from HTTP-based attacks, not authentication brute-force attacks.
- ✗
Enabling verbose logging for authentication events
Why it's wrong here
Verbose logging aids detection but does not prevent attacks.
- ✗
Increasing password complexity requirements
Why it's wrong here
Complex passwords make guessing harder but do not prevent brute-force attempts; lockout does.
- ✓
Implementing account lockout policies
Why this is correct
Account lockout policies limit the number of failed attempts, preventing continued brute-force attacks.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Introduction to Security Principles
Key term
SOC
A Security Operations Center (SOC) is a centralized team that monitors, detects, analyzes, and responds to cybersecurity incidents to protect an organization's information systems.
Key term
Account lockout
Account lockout is a security feature that temporarily disables a user account after a set number of failed login attempts to prevent unauthorized access.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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