- A
Correlate high outbound DNS query volume with requests to newly registered or suspicious domains
This pattern matches DNS tunneling behavior.
- B
Correlate multiple failed logins from a single IP
Why wrong: That indicates brute force, not data exfiltration.
- C
Alert on any single failed login attempt
Why wrong: Failed logins are not directly related to data exfiltration.
- D
Alert when a user accesses a file share after hours
Why wrong: This might indicate other issues but not specifically DNS tunneling.
Question 854 of 1,000
SSCP Risk Identification, Monitoring, and Analysis Practice Question
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of risk identification, monitoring, and analysis. 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 configuring a SIEM to detect data exfiltration. Which of the following correlation rules would best identify potential data exfiltration via DNS tunneling?
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
✓
Correlate high outbound DNS query volume with requests to newly registered or suspicious domains
DNS tunneling encodes data in DNS queries and responses, often generating a high volume of outbound queries to domains that are newly registered or otherwise suspicious. Correlating these two indicators—unusual query volume and suspicious domain characteristics—directly targets the behavior of DNS tunneling, making it the most effective rule for detecting this exfiltration technique.
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.
- ✓
Correlate high outbound DNS query volume with requests to newly registered or suspicious domains
Why this is correct
This pattern matches DNS tunneling behavior.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Correlate multiple failed logins from a single IP
Why it's wrong here
That indicates brute force, not data exfiltration.
- ✗
Alert on any single failed login attempt
Why it's wrong here
Failed logins are not directly related to data exfiltration.
- ✗
Alert when a user accesses a file share after hours
Why it's wrong here
This might indicate other issues but not specifically DNS tunneling.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse general anomaly detection (like failed logins or after-hours access) with the specific network-layer indicators of DNS tunneling, failing to recognize that DNS tunneling is characterized by unusual DNS query patterns to suspicious domains, not by authentication or file access events.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
DNS tunneling works by encapsulating non-DNS data (e.g., files, commands) within DNS query and response fields, often using base64 or similar encoding. The attacker typically registers a domain and sets up a malicious authoritative DNS server; the compromised host sends queries to subdomains of that domain, with each query carrying a chunk of exfiltrated data. A SIEM rule that correlates high query volume (e.g., >1000 queries per minute per host) with domain reputation scores (e.g., domains registered within the last 30 days) can effectively flag this activity while minimizing false positives.
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 SOC analyst notices unusual lateral movement in the network at 2 AM. The IR playbook dictates: identify and contain (isolate the affected machine), then eradicate (remove the malware), then recover (restore from backup), then document. Skipping containment before eradication risks the attacker regaining access. Questions like this test the sequence and rationale of incident response phases.
Visual reference
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SSCP question test?
Risk Identification, Monitoring, and Analysis — This question tests Risk Identification, Monitoring, and Analysis — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Correlate high outbound DNS query volume with requests to newly registered or suspicious domains — DNS tunneling encodes data in DNS queries and responses, often generating a high volume of outbound queries to domains that are newly registered or otherwise suspicious. Correlating these two indicators—unusual query volume and suspicious domain characteristics—directly targets the behavior of DNS tunneling, making it the most effective rule for detecting this exfiltration technique.
What should I do if I get this SSCP question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This SSCP 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 SSCP exam.
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