The correct answer is a DDoS attack because the log snippet reveals a massive volume of incoming traffic from numerous distinct source IP addresses all converging on a single destination, which is the hallmark of a distributed denial-of-service attempt. This pattern of high packet rates from diverse origins is designed to overwhelm the target’s bandwidth or server capacity, rendering services unavailable to legitimate users—exactly what DDoS attack detection log analysis aims to identify. On the ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity CC exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between attack types by reading raw logs; a common trap is confusing this with a DoS attack, which originates from a single source, or a brute-force attempt, which shows repeated login failures rather than sheer traffic volume. Remember the memory tip: “Many IPs, one target, no service” — if the log shows a flood from hundreds of different addresses hitting the same port or server, think DDoS first.
ISC2 CC Business Continuity, DR & Incident Response Practice Question
This CC practice question tests your understanding of business continuity, dr & incident response. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Refer to the exhibit. An SOC analyst pulled this log snippet. Which type of attack is most likely in progress?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
DDoS attack
The log snippet shows a massive volume of incoming traffic from multiple source IPs targeting a single destination, which is characteristic of a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack. The high packet rate and diverse source addresses indicate an attempt to overwhelm the target's resources, such as bandwidth or server capacity, making services unavailable to legitimate users.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Phishing
Why it's wrong here
Phishing is a social engineering attack, not represented in firewall logs.
✓
DDoS attack
Why this is correct
Coordinated traffic from many sources to a single target is characteristic of DDoS.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Man-in-the-middle
Why it's wrong here
MITM intercepts communications; this log shows denied connections, not interception.
✗
Insider threat
Why it's wrong here
Insider threat typically involves authorized users misusing access, not multiple external IPs.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests the distinction between DDoS and DoS by including logs with multiple source IPs, where candidates might mistakenly focus on the high traffic volume alone and overlook the distributed nature, leading them to choose a generic 'DoS' or another attack type.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
MITM intercepts communications; this log shows denied connections, not interception.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
A DDoS attack often uses amplification techniques, such as DNS amplification or NTP reflection, where small queries generate large responses to the victim, multiplying the traffic volume. Under the hood, the attacker spoofs source IPs to hide the true origin and uses botnets to distribute the attack, making mitigation challenging. In real-world scenarios, volumetric DDoS attacks can saturate link capacity, while application-layer DDoS attacks target specific services like HTTP, requiring different defense mechanisms.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
An employee at a financial services firm receives an email that appears to come from the IT helpdesk, asking them to reset their password via a link. The link leads to a convincing fake portal that harvests credentials. Security teams use phishing simulations and security-awareness training to reduce this attack vector. Questions like this test whether you can identify social engineering techniques and appropriate controls.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CC question in full detail.
Business Continuity, DR & Incident Response — This question tests Business Continuity, DR & Incident Response — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: DDoS attack — The log snippet shows a massive volume of incoming traffic from multiple source IPs targeting a single destination, which is characteristic of a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack. The high packet rate and diverse source addresses indicate an attempt to overwhelm the target's resources, such as bandwidth or server capacity, making services unavailable to legitimate users.
What should I do if I get this CC question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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