SSCP Security Operations and Administration Practice Question
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of security operations and administration. 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 university's IT department manages a network used by students and faculty. The security team notices an unusual increase in outbound traffic from the student dormitory network during late hours. Upon investigation, they discover that several student laptops are infected with malware that is attempting to connect to external command-and-control (C2) servers. The team needs to contain the incident quickly while minimizing impact on legitimate users. Which of the following is the BEST immediate containment measure?
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
✓
Disconnect the infected laptops from the network and take them offline for remediation
Isolating the infected devices from the network stops the C2 communication and prevents further spread, while allowing other users to continue working. Option A may block all students; C is disruptive to everyone; D does not stop communication.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Shut down the entire dormitory network
Why it's wrong here
Shutting down the entire network is overly drastic and affects many users.
✓
Disconnect the infected laptops from the network and take them offline for remediation
Why this is correct
This isolates the threat specifically, preserving network functionality for others.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Block all outbound traffic from the dormitory subnet
Why it's wrong here
This would disrupt all legitimate users.
✗
Update the antivirus definitions on the infected laptops
Why it's wrong here
Updating antivirus may not immediately stop active C2 communication and does not contain the incident.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
→Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
→Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
→Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
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.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related SSCP subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
Security Operations and Administration — This question tests Security Operations and Administration — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Disconnect the infected laptops from the network and take them offline for remediation — Isolating the infected devices from the network stops the C2 communication and prevents further spread, while allowing other users to continue working. Option A may block all students; C is disruptive to everyone; D does not stop communication.
What should I do if I get this SSCP question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related SSCP subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
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?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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Question Discussion
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