The answer is to check the firewall logs for the source IP and block it in the firewall. This is the correct immediate action because containment is the first priority in incident response; by verifying the source IP in the firewall logs and applying a block, you stop the ongoing brute-force attack at the network layer, preventing further authentication attempts against the server. On the Systems Security Certified Practitioner SSCP exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the NIST incident response lifecycle, specifically the containment phase, and your ability to distinguish between verification and remediation—a common trap is jumping to password resets or account lockouts before halting the attack source. Remember the containment-first principle: you cannot remediate what is still under active assault. A useful memory tip is "Block before you unlock"—always stop the source IP at the firewall before addressing the compromised accounts.
SSCP Risk Identification, Monitoring and Analysis Practice Question
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of risk identification, monitoring and analysis. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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 system administrator receives an alert from the SIEM indicating a possible brute-force attack on a server. The logs show 100 failed logins in 2 minutes from a single source. Which of the following is the best immediate action to verify and respond?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Check firewall logs for the source IP and block it in the firewall
Option B is correct because the immediate priority is to stop the ongoing attack by blocking the source IP at the firewall. Checking firewall logs confirms the source IP and ensures the block is applied to the correct address, preventing further authentication attempts. This aligns with the principle of containment before remediation in incident response.
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.
✗
Immediately disable the user account that was targeted most
Why it's wrong here
Targeting a single account may not stop attack if multiple accounts are attempted.
✓
Check firewall logs for the source IP and block it in the firewall
Why this is correct
This confirms the attack and stops it at network perimeter.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Reset all user passwords and enable multi-factor authentication
Why it's wrong here
This is too extensive and slow for an immediate response.
✗
Ignore the alert because it is likely a false positive
Why it's wrong here
Ignoring may allow a successful brute-force to occur.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse immediate containment (blocking the source IP) with long-term remediation (resetting passwords or disabling accounts), leading them to choose a reactive user-focused action instead of a network-level control to stop the attack in progress.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Brute-force attacks often use automated tools like Hydra or Medusa that cycle through common passwords or dictionary lists. Blocking the source IP at the firewall (e.g., using iptables or a next-gen firewall rule) stops all traffic from that IP, including subsequent login attempts, while preserving logs for forensic analysis. In real-world scenarios, attackers may rotate IPs via proxies, so combining IP blocking with rate-limiting (e.g., fail2ban) provides layered defense.
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 team runs a vulnerability scan on a web application and discovers an unpatched SQL injection flaw. The team prioritises remediation by CVSS score — critical flaws are patched within 24 hours, high within 7 days. Questions like this test whether you understand vulnerability management processes, scanning tools, and remediation prioritisation.
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 — 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: Check firewall logs for the source IP and block it in the firewall — Option B is correct because the immediate priority is to stop the ongoing attack by blocking the source IP at the firewall. Checking firewall logs confirms the source IP and ensures the block is applied to the correct address, preventing further authentication attempts. This aligns with the principle of containment before remediation in incident response.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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 →
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.
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.