- A
Signature-based detection
Why wrong: Signature-based detection relies on known patterns, not deviations from baselines.
- B
Heuristic detection
Why wrong: Heuristic detection uses algorithms, but anomaly-based is the standard term for baseline deviation.
- C
Anomaly-based detection
Anomaly-based detection identifies deviations from a baseline, such as unusual login failure rates.
- D
Rule-based detection
Why wrong: Rule-based detection uses static rules; while possible, it is less effective for unknown patterns.
Question 973 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 notices a large number of failed login attempts from a single IP address targeting multiple user accounts within a short time frame. Which type of detection method in a SIEM would most effectively identify this pattern?
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
✓
Anomaly-based detection
Anomaly-based detection establishes a baseline of normal user behavior and flags deviations, such as a sudden spike in failed logins from a single IP across multiple accounts. This pattern—a brute-force attack—does not match a known signature, so anomaly detection is the most effective SIEM method for identifying it.
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.
- ✗
Signature-based detection
Why it's wrong here
Signature-based detection relies on known patterns, not deviations from baselines.
- ✗
Heuristic detection
Why it's wrong here
Heuristic detection uses algorithms, but anomaly-based is the standard term for baseline deviation.
- ✓
Anomaly-based detection
Why this is correct
Anomaly-based detection identifies deviations from a baseline, such as unusual login failure rates.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Rule-based detection
Why it's wrong here
Rule-based detection uses static rules; while possible, it is less effective for unknown patterns.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between anomaly-based and rule-based detection, where candidates mistakenly choose rule-based because it can be configured with a threshold, but the question emphasizes 'most effectively identify this pattern'—anomaly detection adapts to baseline changes without manual rule tuning.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Anomaly detection in SIEMs like Splunk or QRadar uses statistical models (e.g., standard deviation from mean, time-series decomposition) to profile user login rates per source IP. For example, if a typical user has 2 failed logins per hour, a sudden jump to 50 in 5 minutes triggers an alert, even if the IP is not on a blocklist. In real-world scenarios, this catches distributed brute-force attacks that rotate usernames but originate from a single IP, which signature-based systems miss because each login attempt is individually legitimate.
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 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. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. 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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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Risk Identification, Monitoring, and Analysis — study guide chapter
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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: Anomaly-based detection — Anomaly-based detection establishes a baseline of normal user behavior and flags deviations, such as a sudden spike in failed logins from a single IP across multiple accounts. This pattern—a brute-force attack—does not match a known signature, so anomaly detection is the most effective SIEM method for identifying it.
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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