SSCP Security Operations and Administration Practice Question
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of security operations and administration. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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 company's VPN logs show that a user's account authenticated from two different geographic locations within a span of 10 minutes. The distances between locations make physical travel impossible. The security team investigates and finds that the user's password is complex and not shared. What is the MOST likely explanation?
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
✓
The user's session token was stolen and used by an attacker.
Option D is correct because the session token was likely stolen and reused from a different location. Option A is wrong; if the user used a VPN, their VPN connection would show one IP. Option B is wrong; a configuration error would affect multiple users. Option C is wrong; multiple people using the account would imply password sharing, which is denied.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
The VPN server has a configuration error causing incorrect location logging.
Why it's wrong here
Would affect multiple users, not just one.
✓
The user's session token was stolen and used by an attacker.
Why this is correct
A stolen session token allows reuse from a different location.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
The user's account is being used by multiple people with permission.
Why it's wrong here
This contradicts the password not being shared.
✗
The user is using a VPN service to mask their true location.
Why it's wrong here
That would show a single VPN IP, not two locations.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
That would show a single VPN IP, not two locations.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
→Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
→Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
→Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A security analyst at a medium-sized enterprise encounters this scenario during an investigation or architecture review. The correct answer reflects best practice for the specific threat or control described. Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related SSCP subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
Security Operations and Administration — This question tests Security Operations and Administration — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The user's session token was stolen and used by an attacker. — Option D is correct because the session token was likely stolen and reused from a different location. Option A is wrong; if the user used a VPN, their VPN connection would show one IP. Option B is wrong; a configuration error would affect multiple users. Option C is wrong; multiple people using the account would imply password sharing, which is denied.
What should I do if I get this SSCP question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related SSCP subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
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?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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Question Discussion
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