- A
Security logs
Log security events like logins.
- B
System logs
Log OS events.
- C
Network logs
Why wrong: Network logs are also important but not listed as a separate type in the stem; however, they are often included.
- D
Physical access logs
Why wrong: Physical access logs are not typically part of standard log management for SIEM unless specifically needed.
- E
Application logs
Log application-specific events.
Question 981 of 1,000
SSCP Risk Identification, Monitoring, and Analysis Practice Question
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of risk identification, monitoring, and analysis. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 manager is evaluating log sources for a SIEM implementation. Which THREE of the following are considered log types that should be included?
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
✓
Security logs
Security logs (A) are correct because they record authentication events, privilege use, and policy violations, which are essential for detecting unauthorized access and compliance auditing in a SIEM. These logs typically come from operating systems, firewalls, and IDS/IPS, providing critical data for incident detection and forensic analysis.
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.
- ✓
Security logs
Why this is correct
Log security events like logins.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
System logs
Why this is correct
Log OS events.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Network logs
Why it's wrong here
Network logs are also important but not listed as a separate type in the stem; however, they are often included.
- ✗
Physical access logs
Why it's wrong here
Physical access logs are not typically part of standard log management for SIEM unless specifically needed.
- ✓
Application logs
Why this is correct
Log application-specific events.
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 think 'network logs' are a standard log type, but the SSCP exam expects you to recognize that network logs are a subset of security or system logs, not a separate primary log type, and that physical access logs are not part of the core IT log sources for a SIEM.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In SIEM implementations, log types are categorized based on the source: security logs (e.g., Windows Security Event Log with Event ID 4624 for logon), system logs (e.g., syslog from Linux /var/log/messages), and application logs (e.g., Apache access logs). These logs are parsed using agents or syslog collectors, normalized into a common schema (e.g., CEF or LEEF), and correlated using rules to detect anomalies. A real-world scenario: a SIEM might correlate a failed logon (security log) with a system crash (system log) to identify a brute-force attack causing resource exhaustion.
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.
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: Security logs — Security logs (A) are correct because they record authentication events, privilege use, and policy violations, which are essential for detecting unauthorized access and compliance auditing in a SIEM. These logs typically come from operating systems, firewalls, and IDS/IPS, providing critical data for incident detection and forensic analysis.
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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