- A
Heuristic-based detection
Why wrong: Heuristic involves rules of thumb, but the scenario is behavior-based.
- B
Behavior-based detection
Behavior-based detection establishes a baseline and alerts on deviations; multiple logins from different locations is anomalous.
- C
Anomaly-based detection
Why wrong: While similar, behavior-based is more specific to user activity baselines.
- D
Signature-based detection
Why wrong: Signature-based uses known attack patterns, not correlation.
Question 37 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 team implements a SIEM solution to collect logs from firewalls, servers, and workstations. They create a correlation rule that triggers an alert when a single user logs in from more than three different geographic locations within one hour. This is an example of which detection method?
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
✓
Behavior-based detection
The rule detects deviations from a user's normal login pattern by flagging logins from more than three geographic locations within an hour. This is behavior-based detection because it establishes a baseline of typical user behavior (e.g., logging in from one or two locations) and triggers an alert when the observed behavior deviates from that baseline. It does not rely on known attack signatures or static heuristics, but on learned patterns of user activity.
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.
- ✗
Heuristic-based detection
Why it's wrong here
Heuristic involves rules of thumb, but the scenario is behavior-based.
- ✓
Behavior-based detection
Why this is correct
Behavior-based detection establishes a baseline and alerts on deviations; multiple logins from different locations is anomalous.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Anomaly-based detection
Why it's wrong here
While similar, behavior-based is more specific to user activity baselines.
- ✗
Signature-based detection
Why it's wrong here
Signature-based uses known attack patterns, not correlation.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between anomaly-based and behavior-based detection by presenting a rule with a fixed threshold (like 'more than three locations'), which candidates mistakenly classify as anomaly-based because it detects unusual activity, but the key is that behavior-based detection relies on a learned baseline of user behavior, not just statistical rarity.
Trap categories for this question
Similar concept trap
While similar, behavior-based is more specific to user activity baselines.
Scenario analysis trap
Heuristic involves rules of thumb, but the scenario is behavior-based.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Behavior-based detection in SIEM systems often uses machine learning models (e.g., clustering or time-series analysis) to build a user's 'normal' profile over days or weeks, considering factors like typical login times, IP ranges, and geolocations. The rule described uses a simple threshold (three locations in one hour), which is a lightweight behavioral baseline; in practice, more advanced systems might dynamically adjust thresholds per user based on historical variance. A real-world scenario: a compromised account might log in from New York, London, and Tokyo within 30 minutes, triggering this rule even if each individual login is from a legitimate IP.
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.
- →
Risk Identification, Monitoring, and Analysis — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Risk Identification, Monitoring, and Analysis practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All SSCP questions
1,000 questions across all exam domains
- →
Systems Security Certified Practitioner SSCP study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
SSCP practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related SSCP practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Access Controls practice questions
Practise SSCP questions linked to Access Controls.
Risk Identification, Monitoring, and Analysis practice questions
Practise SSCP questions linked to Risk Identification, Monitoring, and Analysis.
Incident Response and Recovery practice questions
Practise SSCP questions linked to Incident Response and Recovery.
Security Operations and Administration practice questions
Practise SSCP questions linked to Security Operations and Administration.
Cryptography practice questions
Practise SSCP questions linked to Cryptography.
Network and Communications Security practice questions
Practise SSCP questions linked to Network and Communications Security.
Systems and Application Security practice questions
Practise SSCP questions linked to Systems and Application Security.
Risk Identification, Monitoring and Analysis practice questions
Practise SSCP questions linked to Risk Identification, Monitoring and Analysis.
SSCP fundamentals practice questions
Practise SSCP questions linked to SSCP fundamentals.
SSCP scenario practice questions
Practise SSCP questions linked to SSCP scenario.
SSCP troubleshooting practice questions
Practise SSCP questions linked to SSCP troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free SSCP practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
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: Behavior-based detection — The rule detects deviations from a user's normal login pattern by flagging logins from more than three geographic locations within an hour. This is behavior-based detection because it establishes a baseline of typical user behavior (e.g., logging in from one or two locations) and triggers an alert when the observed behavior deviates from that baseline. It does not rely on known attack signatures or static heuristics, but on learned patterns of user activity.
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
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.