The answer is that secure transmission of logs to a central repository is an essential element for effective security logging. This is correct because logs in transit are vulnerable to interception, tampering, and unauthorized disclosure; best practices mandate encrypted channels such as TLS (e.g., syslog over TLS per RFC 5425) or IPsec to preserve both confidentiality and integrity. On the CISSP exam, this concept tests your understanding of the "Protect" domain within logging and monitoring, often appearing alongside distractors like "storing logs locally for speed" or "using plaintext syslog." A common trap is confusing the need for secure transport with mere log generation—remember that logs are useless if they can be altered en route. Memory tip: "Logs in flight need TLS to keep them right."
CISSP Security Assessment and Testing Practice Question
This CISSP practice question tests your understanding of security assessment and testing. 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.
A security analyst is reviewing log data from various sources. Which of the following are essential for effective security logging in accordance with best practices? (Select THREE.)
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 the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Secure transmission of logs to a central repository
Option B is correct because logs must be transmitted securely to a central repository to prevent tampering, interception, or unauthorized disclosure during transit. Best practices require the use of encrypted channels such as TLS (e.g., syslog over TLS per RFC 5425) or IPsec to ensure confidentiality and integrity of log data while in motion.
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.
✗
Storage of logs in plaintext format only
Why it's wrong here
Logs may need encryption to protect confidentiality.
✓
Secure transmission of logs to a central repository
Why this is correct
Ensuring logs are sent securely prevents tampering and interception.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Time synchronization across all log sources
Why this is correct
Synchronized timestamps are crucial for correlating events.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Log retention of at least one year
Why it's wrong here
Retention periods depend on regulatory and business requirements.
✓
Inclusion of user identifiers in log entries
Why this is correct
User IDs help in attributing actions during investigation.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may mistakenly believe that log retention must always be at least one year, but the CISSP emphasizes that retention periods are policy-driven and vary by compliance requirements, not a fixed universal standard.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Time synchronization across all log sources (Option C) is essential for accurate correlation and reconstruction of events; the Network Time Protocol (NTP) is used to maintain consistent timestamps, often within milliseconds, to avoid gaps or overlaps in incident timelines. Inclusion of user identifiers (Option E) enables attribution of actions to specific subjects, which is critical for non-repudiation and forensic analysis; this typically involves capturing usernames, session IDs, or IP addresses in log entries.
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
A developer is choosing between AES-256 (symmetric) and RSA-2048 (asymmetric) for encrypting a large file that will be sent to a partner. Symmetric encryption is fast but requires key exchange; asymmetric is slower but solves the key distribution problem. A hybrid approach — encrypt the file with AES, encrypt the AES key with RSA — is standard. Questions like this test whether you understand when each approach applies.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CISSP question in full detail.
Security Assessment and Testing — This question tests Security Assessment and Testing — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Secure transmission of logs to a central repository — Option B is correct because logs must be transmitted securely to a central repository to prevent tampering, interception, or unauthorized disclosure during transit. Best practices require the use of encrypted channels such as TLS (e.g., syslog over TLS per RFC 5425) or IPsec to ensure confidentiality and integrity of log data while in motion.
What should I do if I get this CISSP 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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Question Discussion
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