- A
Increase the frequency of vulnerability scans and patch all systems within 24 hours of patch release.
Why wrong: Patching is good practice but the attack did not exploit unpatched vulnerabilities; it used social engineering and weak configurations.
- B
Implement application whitelisting, disable macros by default, enforce strong local administrator passwords, and segment the network to restrict SMB traffic between workstations and servers.
These controls directly address the attack vectors: macro execution, local admin abuse, and lateral movement via SMB.
- C
Deploy additional IDS/IPS sensors and tune the SIEM to detect C2 traffic patterns.
Why wrong: Detection is important but does not prevent the initial compromise; the C2 was over HTTPS, making detection difficult.
- D
Require multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all remote access and privileged account use.
Why wrong: MFA would help if the attack involved credential theft, but here the local admin account was used directly on the workstation.
Quick Answer
The answer is implementing application whitelisting, disabling macros by default, enforcing strong local administrator passwords, and segmenting the network to restrict SMB traffic. This combination directly breaks the ransomware attack chain: disabling macros blocks the phishing-driven initial infection, application whitelisting prevents unauthorized executables like ransomware from running even if a macro slips through, strong local admin passwords stop attackers from disabling antivirus or clearing logs, and network segmentation limits lateral movement via SMB to file servers. On the ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity CC exam, this question tests your ability to apply preventive controls rather than reactive detection—a common trap is choosing a detection-only answer like improving SIEM rules, which fails to stop the initial compromise. Remember the mnemonic “M.A.S.S.”: Macros off, Application whitelisting, Strong local admin, Segment SMB.
ISC2 CC Security Operations Practice Question
This CC practice question tests your understanding of security operations. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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.
You are the lead SOC analyst for a medium-sized financial services company. The company uses a hybrid infrastructure with on-premises servers and cloud services (AWS). The SIEM is Splunk Enterprise, collecting logs from firewalls, IDS/IPS, endpoints (Windows and Linux), and AWS CloudTrail. Recently, the company experienced a ransomware attack that encrypted critical file servers. The initial infection vector was a phishing email that led to the download of a malicious macro-enabled document. The document was executed on a Windows workstation, which then established a C2 connection to an external IP. The C2 traffic was over HTTPS, and the workstation was part of the domain. After the attack, the forensic team found that the workstation had Windows Event Logs cleared, and the local admin account had been used to disable the antivirus. The C2 IP was later blocked, but the ransomware had already spread to file servers via SMB. As part of the lessons learned, you need to recommend improvements to prevent and detect such attacks in the future. Which of the following is the BEST course of action to address the specific weaknesses exploited in this incident?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
Implement application whitelisting, disable macros by default, enforce strong local administrator passwords, and segment the network to restrict SMB traffic between workstations and servers.
Option B directly addresses the attack chain: disabling macros by default prevents the initial infection vector, application whitelisting blocks unauthorized executables (including the ransomware), strong local admin passwords hinder credential abuse, and network segmentation restricts SMB lateral movement. This combination targets the specific weaknesses exploited (macro execution, antivirus disablement via local admin, and SMB propagation) rather than just detecting or patching after the fact.
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.
- ✗
Increase the frequency of vulnerability scans and patch all systems within 24 hours of patch release.
Why it's wrong here
Patching is good practice but the attack did not exploit unpatched vulnerabilities; it used social engineering and weak configurations.
- ✓
Implement application whitelisting, disable macros by default, enforce strong local administrator passwords, and segment the network to restrict SMB traffic between workstations and servers.
Why this is correct
These controls directly address the attack vectors: macro execution, local admin abuse, and lateral movement via SMB.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Deploy additional IDS/IPS sensors and tune the SIEM to detect C2 traffic patterns.
Why it's wrong here
Detection is important but does not prevent the initial compromise; the C2 was over HTTPS, making detection difficult.
- ✗
Require multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all remote access and privileged account use.
Why it's wrong here
MFA would help if the attack involved credential theft, but here the local admin account was used directly on the workstation.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests the concept that prevention (whitelisting, macro control, segmentation) is more effective than detection (IDS/IPS tuning) or reactive measures (patching, MFA) when the attack chain exploits user behavior and local credentials, not external vulnerabilities.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Application whitelisting (e.g., Windows AppLocker or WDAC) uses hash, publisher, or path rules to block unauthorized binaries, including ransomware dropped by macros. Disabling macros by default in Office via Group Policy (e.g., setting 'Disable all macros without notification') stops the initial payload. Network segmentation using VLANs and firewall rules (e.g., blocking SMB ports 445/139 from workstations to file servers) prevents lateral movement even if a workstation is compromised. Strong local admin passwords (e.g., >15 characters, unique per machine) mitigate pass-the-hash and credential theft attacks that disable security controls.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CC question test?
Security Operations — This question tests Security Operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Implement application whitelisting, disable macros by default, enforce strong local administrator passwords, and segment the network to restrict SMB traffic between workstations and servers. — Option B directly addresses the attack chain: disabling macros by default prevents the initial infection vector, application whitelisting blocks unauthorized executables (including the ransomware), strong local admin passwords hinder credential abuse, and network segmentation restricts SMB lateral movement. This combination targets the specific weaknesses exploited (macro execution, antivirus disablement via local admin, and SMB propagation) rather than just detecting or patching after the fact.
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: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
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