- A
`| from datamodel:Authentication.All_Authentication where Authentication.EventCode=4625 | search Authentication.app=windows | timechart span=10m count by Authentication.src | where count > 10`
Uses CIM data model, correct field, and timechart for aggregation.
- B
`index=windows_security sourcetype=WinEventLog:Security EventCode=4625 | stats count by src_ip | where count > 10`
Why wrong: This uses raw field names, not CIM fields; it may not work with CIM apps.
- C
`| from datamodel:Authentication.Failed_Authentication | where EventCode=4625 | stats count by src_ip | where count > 10`
Why wrong: Wrong field 'src_ip' not in CIM; should use 'Authentication.src'.
- D
`index=windows_security EventCode=4625 | transaction src_ip maxspan=10m | where eventcount > 10`
Why wrong: Transaction may not scale and is not CIM compliant.
Quick Answer
The answer is Option A, which uses `| from datamodel:Authentication.All_Authentication where Authentication.EventCode=4625 | search Authentication.app=windows | timechart span=10m count by Authentication.src | where count > 10`. This is correct because it leverages the Common Information Model (CIM) data model for security alerts by querying the `Authentication` dataset directly with the `from datamodel` command, ensuring compatibility with Splunk security apps like Enterprise Security. The `timechart` command with a 10-minute span creates a sliding window that counts failed logins per source IP, and the `where count > 10` enforces the threshold, exactly matching the requirement to monitor EventCode 4625 across Windows domain controllers. On the SPLK-1003 exam, this tests your understanding of using the CIM data model to normalize data across sourcetypes—a common trap is using `search` instead of `from datamodel`, which breaks CIM compatibility. Remember: when you see “CIM compatibility” on the exam, always reach for `from datamodel` first, not `search`.
SPLK-1003 Macros, Saved Searches and CIM Practice Question
This SPLK-1003 practice question tests your understanding of macros, saved searches and cim. 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.
A security analyst needs to monitor failed login attempts across multiple Windows domain controllers. The environment has a custom sourcetype 'WinEventLog:Security' and the data is indexed under 'windows_security'. The analyst wants to create a saved search that runs every 10 minutes, searches for EventCode 4625 (failed logon), and triggers an alert if more than 10 failures occur from the same source IP within the last 10 minutes. The saved search should use the Common Information Model (CIM) to ensure compatibility with other security apps. Which of the following saved search definitions best meets these requirements?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
`| from datamodel:Authentication.All_Authentication where Authentication.EventCode=4625 | search Authentication.app=windows | timechart span=10m count by Authentication.src | where count > 10`
Option A is correct because it uses the `from datamodel` command to query the CIM Authentication data model, specifically the `All_Authentication` dataset filtered for EventCode 4625 and Windows (`Authentication.app=windows`). The `timechart span=10m count by Authentication.src` then counts failures per source IP in 10-minute buckets, and the `where count > 10` triggers the alert only when the threshold is exceeded. This approach ensures CIM compatibility, uses the correct data model object, and respects the 10-minute sliding window required by the use case.
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.
- ✓
`| from datamodel:Authentication.All_Authentication where Authentication.EventCode=4625 | search Authentication.app=windows | timechart span=10m count by Authentication.src | where count > 10`
Why this is correct
Uses CIM data model, correct field, and timechart for aggregation.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
`index=windows_security sourcetype=WinEventLog:Security EventCode=4625 | stats count by src_ip | where count > 10`
Why it's wrong here
This uses raw field names, not CIM fields; it may not work with CIM apps.
- ✗
`| from datamodel:Authentication.Failed_Authentication | where EventCode=4625 | stats count by src_ip | where count > 10`
Why it's wrong here
Wrong field 'src_ip' not in CIM; should use 'Authentication.src'.
- ✗
`index=windows_security EventCode=4625 | transaction src_ip maxspan=10m | where eventcount > 10`
Why it's wrong here
Transaction may not scale and is not CIM compliant.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often pick Option C because 'Failed_Authentication' sounds correct, but they miss that it may not expose the raw EventCode field and lacks a time-bounded aggregation, while Option A correctly uses the parent dataset `All_Authentication` with explicit filtering and `timechart` for the sliding window.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The CIM Authentication data model normalizes authentication events across sources (Windows, Linux, VPN) into common fields like `src`, `user`, `action`, and `app`. Using `from datamodel:Authentication.All_Authentication` leverages the acceleration of data model summaries if they are enabled, improving query performance on large datasets. The `timechart` command with `span=10m` creates contiguous time buckets, ensuring that the alert evaluates exactly the last 10 minutes of data at each scheduled run, unlike `transaction` which can span irregular intervals.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
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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Macros, Saved Searches and CIM — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SPLK-1003 question test?
Macros, Saved Searches and CIM — This question tests Macros, Saved Searches and CIM — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: `| from datamodel:Authentication.All_Authentication where Authentication.EventCode=4625 | search Authentication.app=windows | timechart span=10m count by Authentication.src | where count > 10` — Option A is correct because it uses the `from datamodel` command to query the CIM Authentication data model, specifically the `All_Authentication` dataset filtered for EventCode 4625 and Windows (`Authentication.app=windows`). The `timechart span=10m count by Authentication.src` then counts failures per source IP in 10-minute buckets, and the `where count > 10` triggers the alert only when the threshold is exceeded. This approach ensures CIM compatibility, uses the correct data model object, and respects the 10-minute sliding window required by the use case.
What should I do if I get this SPLK-1003 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: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This SPLK-1003 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Splunk 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 SPLK-1003 exam.
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