mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
SSCP Practice Question: Uses a central syslog server to collect logs from…
An organization uses a central syslog server to collect logs from firewalls, servers, and network devices. Recently, the security team noticed that some critical events from the firewall are missing from the syslog server. The firewall configuration sends syslog messages using UDP to the syslog server. The syslog server administrator reports that the server is receiving a high volume of logs and occasionally drops packets due to buffer overflow. The team needs to ensure reliable delivery of all syslog messages without losing any. Which solution should the team implement?
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
✓
Switch to TCP-based syslog with TLS.
Switching to TCP-based syslog with TLS provides a reliable, connection-oriented transport that guarantees delivery, and TLS adds encryption for security. Option B is incorrect because increasing the UDP buffer size may reduce packet drops due to buffer overflow but does not guarantee reliable delivery since UDP is connectionless and can still lose packets. Option C is incorrect because log aggregation at each network segment changes the architecture but does not solve the underlying transport reliability issue; it may still rely on UDP. Option D is incorrect because a load balancer distributes incoming syslog messages across multiple receivers but does not prevent UPD packet loss if UDP is still used; it only helps with load distribution, not reliability.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Switch to TCP-based syslog with TLS.
Why this is correct
TCP ensures all messages are received and acknowledged, eliminating drops.
- ✗
Increase the UDP buffer size on the syslog server.
Why it's wrong here
While this may reduce drops, UDP still lacks delivery guarantees.
- ✗
Implement log aggregation at each network segment.
Why it's wrong here
Aggregation reduces volume but does not change the unreliable transport.
- ✗
Use a load balancer for syslog receivers.
Why it's wrong here
Load balancers distribute traffic but do not address UDP reliability.
Visual reference
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
One of 920 original SSCP practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.