- A
Scanning only during peak hours
Why wrong: Peak hours may cause network issues but not affect false positives.
- B
Using default scan profiles
Why wrong: Default profiles may cause more false positives.
- C
Tuning the scanner based on the environment
Correct: Tuning reduces false positives by adjusting to the environment.
- D
Performing authenticated scans
Correct: Authenticated scans provide more accurate results.
- E
Manually verifying results
Correct: Verification helps weed out false positives.
Question 108 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 vulnerability management team is scanning a network. Which THREE factors should be considered to minimize false positives?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"minimum / minimize"Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
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
✓
Tuning the scanner based on the environment
Option C is correct because tuning the scanner to the specific environment (e.g., adjusting port ranges, timing, and service detection patterns) reduces the likelihood of misidentifying benign traffic or non-vulnerable services as vulnerabilities. Untuned scanners often flag default banner responses or open ports that are actually part of normal operations, leading to false positives.
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.
- ✗
Scanning only during peak hours
Why it's wrong here
Peak hours may cause network issues but not affect false positives.
- ✗
Using default scan profiles
Why it's wrong here
Default profiles may cause more false positives.
- ✓
Tuning the scanner based on the environment
Why this is correct
Correct: Tuning reduces false positives by adjusting to the environment.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Performing authenticated scans
Why this is correct
Correct: Authenticated scans provide more accurate results.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Manually verifying results
Why this is correct
Correct: Verification helps weed out false positives.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that scanning during peak hours yields more accurate results, when in fact it degrades scan reliability and increases false positives due to network load and timeouts.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Authenticated scans (Option D) use valid credentials to query the target OS or application directly (e.g., via WMI, SSH, or SNMP), allowing the scanner to enumerate installed patches and software versions accurately, which eliminates false positives from version guesswork. Manual verification (Option E) involves cross-referencing scan results with system logs or manual checks, which is essential because automated scanners may misinterpret service banners (e.g., a web server showing an outdated version string but actually running a patched backend). In practice, a scanner tuned for a Windows environment might incorrectly flag a Linux service as vulnerable if default profiles include Windows-specific checks.
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 — 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: Tuning the scanner based on the environment — Option C is correct because tuning the scanner to the specific environment (e.g., adjusting port ranges, timing, and service detection patterns) reduces the likelihood of misidentifying benign traffic or non-vulnerable services as vulnerabilities. Untuned scanners often flag default banner responses or open ports that are actually part of normal operations, leading to false positives.
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: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
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.