- A
Behavior-based IDS
Why wrong: Behavior-based is similar to anomaly.
- B
Network-based IDS
Why wrong: NIDS is a deployment type, not detection method.
- C
Anomaly-based IDS
Why wrong: Anomaly-based uses baselines of normal behavior.
- D
Signature-based IDS
Signature-based matches known attack signatures.
Question 65 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 type of IDS uses a database of known attack patterns to identify malicious activity?
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
✓
Signature-based IDS
Signature-based IDS (D) is correct because it relies on a pre-defined database of known attack patterns, or signatures, to match against network traffic or system activity. When a packet or event matches a signature, the IDS generates an alert. This is the traditional method used by systems like Snort, which compares traffic against rule sets containing specific byte sequences or protocol anomalies.
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.
- ✗
Behavior-based IDS
Why it's wrong here
Behavior-based is similar to anomaly.
- ✗
Network-based IDS
Why it's wrong here
NIDS is a deployment type, not detection method.
- ✗
Anomaly-based IDS
Why it's wrong here
Anomaly-based uses baselines of normal behavior.
- ✓
Signature-based IDS
Why this is correct
Signature-based matches known attack signatures.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is confusing the detection method (signature-based) with the deployment type (network-based), leading candidates to pick 'Network-based IDS' because they associate it with monitoring network traffic, even though the question specifically asks about the detection methodology using known attack patterns.
Trap categories for this question
Similar concept trap
Behavior-based is similar to anomaly.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Signature-based IDS operates by comparing packet payloads and headers against a signature database, often using pattern-matching algorithms like Aho-Corasick for efficiency. A real-world scenario is detecting a SQL injection attempt by matching the string 'OR 1=1' in an HTTP request. However, signature-based systems cannot detect zero-day attacks because no signature exists for unknown threats, which is a key limitation.
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 SOC analyst notices unusual lateral movement in the network at 2 AM. The IR playbook dictates: identify and contain (isolate the affected machine), then eradicate (remove the malware), then recover (restore from backup), then document. Skipping containment before eradication risks the attacker regaining access. Questions like this test the sequence and rationale of incident response phases.
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: Signature-based IDS — Signature-based IDS (D) is correct because it relies on a pre-defined database of known attack patterns, or signatures, to match against network traffic or system activity. When a packet or event matches a signature, the IDS generates an alert. This is the traditional method used by systems like Snort, which compares traffic against rule sets containing specific byte sequences or protocol anomalies.
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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