ISC2 CC Security Operations Practice Question
After a security incident, an investigator needs to analyze logs to determine the timeline of events. Which TWO types of logs are most likely to provide evidence of lateral movement within the network?
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
✓
Authentication logs
Authentication logs show user logins to different systems (lateral movement), and firewall logs show connections between internal hosts. System logs may show service creation but are not as direct.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
DNS logs
Why it's wrong here
DNS logs show name resolution, but not as direct evidence of lateral movement as authentication and firewall logs.
- ✓
Authentication logs
Why this is correct
Failed and successful logins can indicate lateral movement.
- ✓
Firewall logs
Why this is correct
Firewall logs show allowed/denied connections between IPs, indicating lateral movement.
- ✗
System logs
Why it's wrong here
System logs show service events, not necessarily network connections.
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Application logs
Why it's wrong here
Application logs are specific to apps and less useful for network movement.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Introduction to Security Principles
Key term
Firewall
A firewall is a network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing traffic based on predetermined security rules to protect trusted internal networks from untrusted external networks.
Key term
Lateral movement
Lateral movement is the technique attackers use to move through a network from one compromised system to another, seeking sensitive data or higher privileges.
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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.