CCSP Cloud Security Operations Practice Question
A security analyst notices that an IAM user from a cloud account has logged in from two different countries within a span of 10 minutes. Which type of detection mechanism is most likely to flag this activity as suspicious?
⚠ Common exam trap
The CCSP exam often tests the distinction between detection mechanisms that analyze static configurations (CMDB, vulnerability scanners) versus those that analyze dynamic behavioral patterns (SIEM correlation rules), leading candidates to confuse a CMDB's asset inventory function with real-time anomaly detection.
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
✓
A correlation rule in a SIEM
A correlation rule in a SIEM is designed to aggregate and analyze log data from multiple sources, such as cloud IAM logs, to detect anomalous patterns. The specific scenario of a user logging in from two geographically distant countries within 10 minutes is a classic example of an impossible travel time anomaly, which SIEM correlation rules are built to flag by comparing login timestamps and IP geolocation data.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
A cloud configuration management database (CMDB)
Why it's wrong here
CMDB tracks configuration items, not user behavior.
- ✗
A vulnerability scanner
Why it's wrong here
Vulnerability scanners identify software vulnerabilities, not anomalous user behavior.
- ✗
An agent-based intrusion detection system (IDS)
Why it's wrong here
IDS monitors network traffic for malicious patterns, not login locations.
- ✓
A correlation rule in a SIEM
Why this is correct
SIEM correlation rules can detect impossible travel by analyzing login events.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CCSP 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 CCSP exam.