SSCP Risk Identification, Monitoring, and Analysis Practice Question
An organization decides to implement CIS Benchmarks on all Windows servers. They choose Level 1 settings. What does Level 1 represent?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse Level 1 with 'maximum security' or assume it is only for critical systems, when in fact Level 1 is the baseline recommended for all systems to achieve a practical security posture without disrupting operations.
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
✓
Basic security hygiene with minimal impact
CIS Benchmarks define Level 1 as a set of configuration settings intended to provide basic security hygiene with minimal impact on business operations. These settings are designed to be easily implemented without causing significant performance degradation or service disruption, making them suitable for most systems. Level 1 focuses on essential security controls that address common vulnerabilities while maintaining system usability.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Maximum security with high operational impact
Why it's wrong here
Level 2 is for defense-in-depth with higher impact.
- ✗
Equivalent to DISA STIGs
Why it's wrong here
STIGs are separate standards, though similar.
- ✗
Only applicable to critical systems
Why it's wrong here
Level 1 is for all systems, not just critical.
- ✓
Basic security hygiene with minimal impact
Why this is correct
Level 1 is intended to be broadly applicable with low disruption.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.