SSCP Incident Response and Recovery Practice Question
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of incident response and recovery. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
May 15 10:23:45 server1 sshd[12345]: Failed password for root from 192.168.1.100 port 22 ssh2
May 15 10:23:46 server1 sshd[12345]: Failed password for root from 192.168.1.100 port 22 ssh2
May 15 10:23:47 server1 sshd[12345]: Failed password for root from 192.168.1.100 port 22 ssh2
... (multiple entries within seconds)
Based on the exhibit, which security threat is likely being attempted?
Refer to the exhibit.
May 15 10:23:45 server1 sshd[12345]: Failed password for root from 192.168.1.100 port 22 ssh2
May 15 10:23:46 server1 sshd[12345]: Failed password for root from 192.168.1.100 port 22 ssh2
May 15 10:23:47 server1 sshd[12345]: Failed password for root from 192.168.1.100 port 22 ssh2
... (multiple entries within seconds)
A
DNS poisoning
Why wrong: DNS poisoning involves corrupting DNS records, not SSH login attempts.
B
Man-in-the-middle attack
Why wrong: There is no indication of interception or eavesdropping.
C
Brute-force attack
Multiple failed password attempts from a single source in a short time frame is characteristic of a brute-force attack.
D
SQL injection
Why wrong: SQL injection targets database queries, not SSH authentication.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Brute-force attack
The exhibit shows a large number of failed login attempts (e.g., 'Login failed' or 'Authentication error') from a single source IP within a short time window, which is the classic signature of a brute-force attack. This attack systematically tries multiple username/password combinations to gain unauthorized access, and the repeated failure messages in the logs confirm the attempt.
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.
✗
DNS poisoning
Why it's wrong here
DNS poisoning involves corrupting DNS records, not SSH login attempts.
✗
Man-in-the-middle attack
Why it's wrong here
There is no indication of interception or eavesdropping.
✓
Brute-force attack
Why this is correct
Multiple failed password attempts from a single source in a short time frame is characteristic of a brute-force attack.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
SQL injection
Why it's wrong here
SQL injection targets database queries, not SSH authentication.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests the distinction between brute-force attacks and other threats by embedding subtle clues like 'multiple failed logins' in logs, which candidates may misinterpret as a man-in-the-middle attack due to the presence of authentication errors, but the key is the volume and repetition of failures.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Brute-force attacks often target SSH (port 22), RDP (port 3389), or web application login forms, and tools like Hydra or Medusa automate credential testing. Defenders can mitigate this by implementing account lockout policies (e.g., after 5 failed attempts), rate-limiting, or using fail2ban to dynamically block offending IPs. In a real-world scenario, a single source IP attempting 1,000 logins in 10 minutes is a clear indicator of a brute-force attack, as legitimate users rarely generate such volume.
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 analyst at a medium-sized enterprise encounters this scenario during an investigation or architecture review. The correct answer reflects best practice for the specific threat or control described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
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.
Incident Response and Recovery — This question tests Incident Response and Recovery — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Brute-force attack — The exhibit shows a large number of failed login attempts (e.g., 'Login failed' or 'Authentication error') from a single source IP within a short time window, which is the classic signature of a brute-force attack. This attack systematically tries multiple username/password combinations to gain unauthorized access, and the repeated failure messages in the logs confirm the attempt.
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.
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.