hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
ISC2 CC Practice Question: An organization's security policy requires that…
An organization's security policy requires that all network traffic logs be retained for at least one year. The SIEM system is running low on storage, and the administrator must decide which data to archive first. Which data set is the least critical for ongoing security monitoring and can be archived earliest?
⚠ Common exam trap
ISC2 often tests the misconception that DNS logs are critical for security monitoring because they can reveal C2 traffic, but the trap is that they are high-volume, low-signal data best suited for archival after more immediate security event sources are preserved.
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
✓
DNS query logs from internal DNS servers
DNS query logs from internal DNS servers are the least critical for ongoing security monitoring because they primarily contain name resolution requests, which are high-volume and low-signal data. While they can be useful for threat hunting or forensic analysis of malware command-and-control (C2) traffic, they are not essential for real-time alerting or immediate incident response. Archiving them first preserves storage for more actionable logs like IDS alerts, firewall denies, and authentication failures.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Intrusion detection system alerts
Why it's wrong here
IDS alerts are high-priority for security monitoring and should be retained for analysis.
- ✓
DNS query logs from internal DNS servers
Why this is correct
DNS logs are less frequently used for real-time security monitoring and can be archived with lower priority.
- ✗
Firewall deny logs
Why it's wrong here
Firewall deny logs are essential for identifying scanning and attack attempts.
- ✗
Authentication logs from domain controllers
Why it's wrong here
Authentication logs are critical for detecting unauthorized access and must be retained for immediate analysis.
Visual reference
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
SIEM
SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) is a system that collects and analyzes log data from across an IT environment to detect and respond to security threats in real time.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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