hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
SSCP Practice Question: A security analyst reviews a firewall log showing…
A security analyst reviews a firewall log showing an internal IP attempting outbound connections to multiple external IPs on port 443. The analyst suspects command and control. Which additional data source would be MOST useful for confirmation?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often choose NetFlow data (Option A) because it shows traffic flows, but they overlook that DNS logs directly reveal the domain names being resolved, which is critical for identifying C2 domains that may not appear in NetFlow's IP-only view.
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
✓
DNS logs
DNS logs are the most useful additional data source because C2 traffic often uses domain generation algorithms (DGAs) or connects to known malicious domains. By correlating the outbound connections on port 443 with DNS queries, the analyst can identify suspicious domain lookups that precede the connections, revealing the C2 infrastructure. Unlike NetFlow or system logs, DNS logs directly show the domain names being resolved, which is a key indicator of C2 activity.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
NetFlow data
Why it's wrong here
NetFlow shows traffic flow but not DNS queries; less direct evidence.
- ✗
System event logs
Why it's wrong here
Event logs show process creation but not network connections to external IPs.
- ✓
DNS logs
Why this is correct
DNS logs can show domain resolutions, often used by C2 to obfuscate IPs.
- ✗
Antivirus logs
Why it's wrong here
Antivirus may not detect C2 traffic if malware is unknown.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.