- A
Password policies
Why wrong: Policies are controls, not vulnerabilities.
- B
Intrusion alerts
Why wrong: Alerts are indicators of potential exploitation.
- C
Firewall logs
Why wrong: Firewall logs are events, not vulnerability sources.
- D
CVE entries
CVEs are specific known vulnerabilities.
Question 700 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.
Which of the following is a common vulnerability source that would be documented in a risk register?
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
✓
CVE entries
D is correct because CVE (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) entries are standardized identifiers for known security vulnerabilities, making them a direct source of vulnerability information that should be documented in a risk register. A risk register captures identified risks, including specific vulnerabilities, and CVE entries provide the precise technical details needed to assess and track those risks.
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.
- ✗
Password policies
Why it's wrong here
Policies are controls, not vulnerabilities.
- ✗
Intrusion alerts
Why it's wrong here
Alerts are indicators of potential exploitation.
- ✗
Firewall logs
Why it's wrong here
Firewall logs are events, not vulnerability sources.
- ✓
CVE entries
Why this is correct
CVEs are specific known vulnerabilities.
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 distinction between vulnerability sources (like CVE entries) and security controls or monitoring outputs (like password policies, intrusion alerts, or firewall logs), trapping candidates who confuse operational data with vulnerability documentation.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
CVE entries are maintained by the MITRE Corporation and follow the CVE ID format (e.g., CVE-2024-1234), each linked to a detailed description in the National Vulnerability Database (NVD) with CVSS scores, affected software versions, and remediation steps. In a risk register, these entries are mapped to assets and controls to calculate risk scores and prioritize patching, often using automated tools like vulnerability scanners that cross-reference CVE IDs against system inventories.
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.
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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: CVE entries — D is correct because CVE (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) entries are standardized identifiers for known security vulnerabilities, making them a direct source of vulnerability information that should be documented in a risk register. A risk register captures identified risks, including specific vulnerabilities, and CVE entries provide the precise technical details needed to assess and track those risks.
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
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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.
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