- A
To provide a secure configuration standard for systems
Baselines define secure configurations.
- B
To calculate annualized loss expectancy
Why wrong: ALE is part of quantitative risk analysis.
- C
To replace the need for vulnerability scanning
Why wrong: Baselines complement scanning, not replace it.
- D
To detect intrusions in real-time
Why wrong: That is the role of IDS/IPS.
Question 626 of 1,000
SSCP Risk Identification, Monitoring, and Analysis Practice Question
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of risk identification, monitoring, and analysis. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 primary purpose of a security baseline, such as the CIS Benchmarks?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"primary"Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
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
✓
To provide a secure configuration standard for systems
A security baseline like the CIS Benchmarks establishes a hardened, consistent configuration standard for operating systems, applications, and network devices. This reduces the attack surface by disabling unnecessary services, enforcing least privilege, and applying specific registry or file permission settings. It is a foundational step in secure system deployment and ongoing compliance.
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.
- ✓
To provide a secure configuration standard for systems
Why this is correct
Baselines define secure configurations.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
To calculate annualized loss expectancy
Why it's wrong here
ALE is part of quantitative risk analysis.
- ✗
To replace the need for vulnerability scanning
Why it's wrong here
Baselines complement scanning, not replace it.
- ✗
To detect intrusions in real-time
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between a proactive security control (baseline) and reactive or ongoing controls (vulnerability scanning, intrusion detection), leading candidates to confuse configuration standards with operational security tools.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
CIS Benchmarks are developed through consensus by subject matter experts and map to frameworks like NIST 800-53 or PCI DSS. They include specific registry keys (e.g., Windows 'RestrictAnonymous'), file permissions (e.g., /etc/shadow mode 640 on Linux), and service disablement (e.g., disabling SMBv1). Automated tools like CIS-CAT can assess compliance against these benchmarks, producing a score that reflects the system's hardening level.
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: To provide a secure configuration standard for systems — A security baseline like the CIS Benchmarks establishes a hardened, consistent configuration standard for operating systems, applications, and network devices. This reduces the attack surface by disabling unnecessary services, enforcing least privilege, and applying specific registry or file permission settings. It is a foundational step in secure system deployment and ongoing compliance.
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: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
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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