200-201 Sample Questions Answers

 The log in the exhibit is generated by an Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS). It contains information about a TCP connection attempt, including the source IP address, destination IP address, and other details related to the connection. The presence of “TCP MISS” indicates that the system detected an anomaly or potential threat during the connection attempt. References := Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/performance/windo ws-registry-advanced-users

Data integrity verification involves using tools to compute the message digest of data. A message digest is a cryptographic hash function containing a string of digits created by a one-way hashing formula. This digest, which serves as a unique identifier, can be used to verify the integrity of copied data by comparing it to the original data’s digest. If the digests match, it means the data has not been altered, ensuring its integrity.

References: The concept of data integrity and the use of message digests are fundamental security concepts taught in the Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) course. This course covers the essential skills and knowledge needed to monitor alerts and breaches, and to understand and follow established procedures for response to alerts converted to incidents

The improper use or disclosure of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) falls under the category of compliance because organizations are required to adhere to laws and regulations that protect the privacy and security of PII. This includes following guidelines set forth by privacy laws such as GDPR, HIPAA, and others that mandate the proper handling of personal data to prevent misuse and unauthorized access123.

References := Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS), Personally identifiable information (PII): What it is, how it’s used, and how to protect it, What is PII? Examples, laws, and standards, Overview of the Privacy Act: 2020 Edition

The user-agent HTTP header field is used in forensics to identify the type of browser used. It contains a characteristic string that allows network protocol peers to identify the operating system and browser of the web-server. This information is crucial in forensic analysis as it can provide insights into the client’s environment1.

References := The importance of the user-agent string in identifying the browser type is discussed in various technical resources, including the Wikipedia page on HTTP header fields2 and articles on GeeksforGeeks1.

X.509 certificates are used in conjunction with secure data transfer protocols to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of communication. They are part of a public key infrastructure (PKI) that authenticates the identity of entities and encrypts data in transit. References: Implementing X.509 certificates along with secure data transfer protocols like SFTP, HTTPS, FTPS, and IPSec can help secure data sharing with third-party companies

The principle of least privilege states that users and processes should be granted only the minimum permissions necessary to perform their specific role or function within an organization. This reduces the attack surface and limits the potential damage of a compromised account or process. References:

• Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) v1.0, Module 1: Security Concepts, Lesson 1.2: Security Principles
• Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate Overview, Exam Topics, 1.1 Explain the CIA triad

The QR field in the DNS header specifies whether the message is a query (QR=0) or a response (QR=1). This bit is set to 0 for query messages and is set to 1 for response messages, allowing the recipient to distinguish between the two.

The Zero Trust security model operates on the principle that no one is trusted by default from inside or outside the network, and verification is required from everyone trying to gain access to resources on the network. It emphasizes continuous monitoring, validation, and least-privilege access to minimize exposure to sensitive parts of the network.

References: Zero Trust security | What is a Zero Trust network? | Cloudflare, Zero Trust Model: Unveiling 3 Core Principles for Enhanced Security, The Evolution of Zero Trust and the Frameworks that Guide It

Resource exhaustion is an evasion technique where an attacker overwhelms a system with a high volume of requests from multiple sources. This can cause the system to become overloaded and unable to process legitimate traffic, potentially allowing the attacker to bypass security measures like intrusion detection systems.

References := The answers are based on the knowledge from the Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) course material, which covers various cybersecurity concepts, including file identification methods, application control technologies, firewall utilities, and evasion techniques

• The ping of death is a type of attack that involves sending oversized or malformed packets using the ICMP protocol to crash, freeze, or reboot the target system1.
• UDP flooding is an attack method that sends a large number of User Datagram Protocol (UDP) packets to random ports on a remote host, causing the host to repeatedly check for the application listening at that port, and (when no application is found) reply with an ICMP Destination Unreachable packet. This process can saturate the network and the resources of the host, leading to denial of service2.

References:

• Cloudflare’s explanation of common DoS attacks1.
• Wikipedia’s description of denial-of-service attack methods

 The PCAP file in the exhibit shows a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) communication between two IP addresses. In the data section of the packet capture, “pdy/3.1… http/1” is visible, indicating that HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is being used as the application protocol for this communication.

References := The Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) course material covers the analysis of network traffic using tools like packet analyzers to identify application protocols in use1.

 A host-based firewall is a utility that can block unauthorized access to a computer system, including port scans. It monitors incoming and outgoing network traffic and permits or blocks data packets based on a set of security rules.

 Availability is one of the three pillars of the CIA triad, a model that defines the principles of information security. Availability describes the concept of data consistently and readily being accessible for legitimate users. Availability ensures that the network and systems are operational and resilient to disruptions, such as denial-of-service attacks, hardware failures, or natural disasters. Availability also involves maintaining backup and recovery procedures, load balancing, and redundancy mechanisms. References:

• Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) - Cisco, Module 1: Security Concepts, Lesson 1.1: Security Principles
• 200-201 CBROPS - Cisco, Exam Topics, 1.0 Security Concepts, 1.1 Explain the CIA triad
• Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate Overview - Cisco Learning Network, Videos, 1.1 Explain the CIA triad

This event category is exploitation because the HTTP requests contain PHP code that attempts to execute commands on the web server and create a backdoor. Exploitation is the phase of the attack where the threat actor gains access to the target system and executes malicious code. References: https://learningnetworkstore.cisco.com/on-demand-e-learning/understanding-cisco-cybersecurity-operations-fundamentals-cbrops-v1-0/CSCU-LP-CBROPS-V1-028093.html (Module 2, Lesson 2.1.3)

 The discrepancy described suggests that the system had a Host Intrusion Detection System (HIDS) installed. HIDS are designed to monitor and analyze the internals of a computing system for signs of intrusion and policy violations. While they can detect unauthorized activities, they do not take direct action to stop an attack; this is typically the role of an intrusion prevention system. Therefore, the alert was generated, but no mitigation action was taken because the HIDS does not have the capability to intervene.

References := The Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) course material covers the functions and limitations of various security systems, including HIDS, and their role within a Security Operations Center (SOC)1.

Corroborative evidence is the type of evidence that supports a theory or an assumption that results from initial evidence. It provides additional support to the initial findings, strengthening the theory or assumption by confirming the same facts or pointing towards the same conclusion with independent pieces of evidence4567.

References := Types of evidence (article) | Lessons | Khan Academy, Evidence: Fundamental Concepts and the Phenomenal Conception, Navigating Scientific Evidence: Types and Definitions, How Courts Work - American Bar Association

 CIA stands for confidentiality, integrity, and availability, which are the three main objectives of information security. Confidentiality means protecting the information from unauthorized access or disclosure. Integrity means ensuring the information is accurate and consistent, and preventing unauthorized modification or deletion. Availability means ensuring the information and systems are accessible and usable by authorized users when needed. References: https://learningnetworkstore.cisco.com/on-demand-e-learning/understanding-cisco-cybersecurity-operations-fundamentals-cbrops-v1.0/CSCU-LP-CBROPS-V1-028093.html (Module 2: Security Concepts, Lesson 2.1: Security Principles)

The purpose of command and control (C&C) for network-aware malware is to allow an attacker to remotely control compromised systems. This includes sending commands to the malware, receiving data from the infected host, and updating the malware to evade detection or enhance its capabilities.

References: The CBROPS course materials cover the topic of network-aware malware and the role of command and control servers in managing such malware

 HTTPS traffic is difficult to screen because it is encrypted using the SSL/TLS protocol, which secures the data in transit between the client and the server. This encryption ensures that any intercepted traffic cannot be easily read or tampered with by third parties. Screening or inspecting this encrypted traffic would require decrypting it, which poses significant challenges and potential security risks12.

References:

• The concept of HTTPS and its implications on traffic screening are discussed in various cybersecurity resources, including Cisco’s cybersecurity training materials3.
• Cloudflare provides an explanation of HTTPS inspection and the challenges associated with it

The weaponization step in the Cyber Kill Chain model involves creating or repurposing malware based on the information gathered during reconnaissance to exploit vulnerabilities in the target’s system. This step culminates in the preparation of the malware to be delivered to the victim2.

References:

• Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS)
• Cyber Kill Chain

A close-up of several blue rectangular boxes Description automatically generated

The packet capture shows that IP address 192.168.88.149, using source port 80 (common for HTTP traffic), initiated communication with IP address 192.168.88.12 at destination port 49098, using the TCP protocol, indicating a typical client-server interaction over the web.

References: = These explanations are based on general cybersecurity principles as outlined in Cisco’s training and certification content, such as the Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) and other related Cisco resources.

In cybersecurity, a threat is any potential malicious attack or event that can harm an organization, while a risk is the potential damage or loss that could occur if a threat exploits a vulnerability. Therefore, risk is considered the intersection of threats and vulnerabilities, representing the likelihood and impact of a threat materializing.

Upgrading to TLS v1.3 is recommended because it eliminates outdated cryptographic functions and reduces the risk of downgrade attacks, which can occur when attackers force connections to use weaker encryption. TLS v1.3 only supports secure cipher suites and algorithms, enhancing the security of communications.

 During the collection phase of the forensic process, data related to a specific event is labeled and recorded to preserve its integrity. This step ensures that the data remains unaltered and authentic from the time of collection until it is presented as evidence, maintaining the chain of custody. References := Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals - Module 6: Security Incident Investigations

Deep packet inspection (DPI) analyzes the data part (and possibly also the header) of a packet as it passes an inspection point, searching for protocol non-compliance, viruses, spam, intrusions, or defined criteria to decide whether the packet may pass or if it needs to be routed to a different destination. Stateful inspection, on the other hand, tracks the state of active connections and determines which network packets to allow through the firewall. While stateful inspection tracks the state of connections (Layer 4 - transport layer), DPI goes further by examining the payload of the packet (Layer 7 - application layer).

References: Cisco’s official documentation and cybersecurity courses would explain the differences between deep packet inspection and stateful inspection, including their respective layers of operation.

Delivery: This step involves transmitting the weapon to the target.

Weaponization: In this step, the intruder creates a malware weapon like a virus, worm or such in order to exploit the vulnerabilities of the target. Depending on the target and the purpose of the attacker, this malware can exploit new, undetected vulnerabilities (also known as the zero-day exploits) or it can focus on a combination of different vulnerabilities.

Reconnaissance: In this step, the attacker / intruder chooses their target. Then they conduct an in-depth research on this target to identify its vulnerabilities that can be exploited.

This type of analysis is deterministic because it assigns fixed values to the scenario and calculates the expected outcomes based on those values. Deterministic analysis does not account for uncertainty or randomness in the scenario. References: https://learningnetworkstore.cisco.com/on-demand-e-learning/understanding-cisco-cybersecurity-operations-fundamentals-cbrops-v1-0/CSCU-LP-CBROPS-V1-028093.html (Module 3, Lesson 3.1.2)

 Traffic fragmentation is an evasion technique where an attacker splits malicious payloads into smaller packets. This can help avoid detection since some security systems may not reassemble these packets to inspect the complete payload.

 IP data stands for Intellectual Property data, which is any data that represents the creations of the mind, such as inventions, patents, designs, or artistic works. IP data is protected by law and has commercial value for its owners. In this case, the automotive company has a database of IP data for their engines and technical information, which customers can access after they register and identify themselves. References := Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals, Module 1: Security Concepts, Lesson 1.2: Data Protection, Topic 1.2.1: Data Types

 A vulnerability refers to a weakness or flaw in a system that can be exploited by threats (such as hackers or malware) to gain unauthorized access, cause damage, etc. Threats exploit these vulnerabilities to impact the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of information and systems. References: Cisco Cybersecurity Associate

Integrity is a metric in CVSS that measures the impact of a vulnerability on the trustworthiness and veracity of the data or information in a system. A vulnerability that affects the integrity of a system can allow an attacker to modify, delete, or corrupt the data or information without authorization. An example of such a vulnerability is a bank account number tampering attack, where an attacker changes the destination bank account number of a transaction to redirect the funds to their own account. References: Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) - Cisco, page 2-17; 200-201 CBROPS - Cisco, exam topic 1.3.c

 Statistical detection relies on analyzing data over time to identify patterns and anomalies, without predefined rules. It uses algorithms and statistical models to determine normal behavior and identify deviations. Rule-based detection uses predefined rules or patterns to identify known threats or vulnerabilities, often based on signatures or behaviors associated with specific attacks.

A man-in-the-middle attack is a type of cyberattack where an attacker intercepts and alters the communication between two parties who believe they are directly communicating with each other. In this case, the attacker is impersonating mail.google.com and presenting a fake certificate to the endpoint device. The endpoint device detects that the certificate is not issued by a trusted authority and displays an error message. The attacker can then monitor or modify the traffic between the endpoint device and mail.google.com. References:

• Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) - Cisco, Module 3: Host-Based Analysis, Lesson 3.2: Endpoint Security Technologies
• 200-201 CBROPS - Cisco, Exam Topics, 3.0 Host-Based Analysis, 3.2 Compare and contrast the functionality of these endpoint security technologies
• Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate Overview - Cisco Learning Network, Videos, 3.2 Compare and contrast the functionality of these endpoint security technologies

The presence of a default user agent in the headers of requests and data being transmitted suggests a cache bypassing attack. In this scenario, the attacker is likely requesting noncacheable content to avoid detection by caching mechanisms that could otherwise identify and block malicious traffic.

Indirect evidence is evidence that does not directly prove a fact, but rather implies or infers it from other facts or circumstances. Indirect evidence is also known as circumstantial evidence or corroborating evidence. A video of a suspect entering a data center that was captured on the same day that files in the same data center were transferred to a competitor is an example of indirect evidence, because it does not directly show that the suspect was involved in the file transfer, but rather suggests a possible connection or correlation between the two events. References := Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) v1.0, Module 5: Security Policies and Procedures, Lesson 5.3: Digital Forensics, Topic 5.3.1: Evidence, page 5-24.

The Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) is used to identify specific resources on the internet, including files. In the context of HTTP GET requests, the URI specifies the path to the file being requested.

References: This explanation is based on standard web protocols and practices, as the current page does not provide specific Cisco documentation.

 TOR, or The Onion Router, is designed to conceal a user’s location and usage from anyone conducting network surveillance or traffic analysis. Using TOR makes it more difficult to trace internet activity, including “visits to Web sites, online posts, instant messages, and other communication forms,” back to the user1. It is intended to protect the personal privacy of users, as well as their freedom and ability to conduct confidential communication by keeping their internet activities unmonitored. Within an organization, the use of TOR can decrease visibility into data traffic because it encrypts the data multiple times and routes it through a series of servers operated by volunteers around the globe. This makes network monitoring and data visibility challenging for cybersecurity professionals within the organization. References: Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS)

The Cuckoo report indicates that the file has been identified by Yara rules as being capable of detecting a sandbox environment, which is a security mechanism for isolating and analyzing suspicious code. The presence of the “vmdetect” and “anti_dog” Yara rules suggests that the file may have mechanisms to avoid executing its malicious behavior when it detects that it is being analyzed in a sandbox. This is a common evasion technique used by malware to prevent detection and analysis by security researchers or automated systems.

References: Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) and other Cisco cybersecurity resources discuss malware analysis and the use of sandbox environments to safely execute and study potential malware. These resources also cover the topic of evasion techniques used by malware to avoid detection.

The engineer engaged with the service component by enabling “Audiosrv,” which is the Windows Audio Service responsible for managing audio for Windows-based programs. By setting it to auto-start, the engineer ensured that the service would run automatically upon system startup. Additionally, the engineer interacted with process and thread management by using the Task Manager to modify the behavior of the “Audiosrv” service.

References: The information is based on standard operating procedures for troubleshooting audio issues in Windows OS, which involves services and processes management.

An SSL certificate enables the establishment of a secure connection between the client and the server using the TLS protocol. The client and the server exchange keys and agree on a cipher suite to encrypt and decrypt the data transmitted over the network. References := Cisco Cybersecurity Source Documents

A false positive in network security is when a benign action is incorrectly flagged as malicious, leading to legitimate traffic being blocked. This can disrupt normal network operations and access to services, as the security system mistakenly identifies normal behavior as a threat1.

References := The concept of false positives and their impact on network traffic is discussed in various cybersecurity resources, including Cisco’s own training materials and discussions on network security best practices1.

The file in question, which contains logs of unsuccessful login attempts from an unknown IP address, is considered indirect evidence. It suggests that there may have been an attempt to gain unauthorized access, but it does not directly prove who was responsible for the attempts. Indirect evidence can be used to support other evidence that may lead to a direct identification of the threat actor. References: Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) and other Cisco cybersecurity resources provide information on how to analyze and categorize different types of evidence in the context of security incidents.

An Nmap scan can provide detailed information about a network including the functionality and purpose of servers on that network as well as any services that are currently running on those servers. This information can be used by an attacker to identify potential vulnerabilities or targets for exploitation during a cyber attack. References := Cisco Cybersecurity Training

 ARP cache poisoning is a type of attack that intercepts traffic on a switched network by sending spoofed ARP messages to associate the attacker’s MAC address with the IP address of a legitimate host or gateway. This way, the attacker can redirect the traffic intended for the legitimate host or gateway to his own device and perform a man-in-the-middle attack. References := Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals

 A man-in-the-middle attack occurs when a third party intercepts and potentially alters the communication between two parties (in this case, two IP phones) without them knowing. This type of attack can lead to eavesdropping, where the attacker can gain unauthorized access to sensitive data being communicated between the two parties. References := Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals - Module 5: Endpoint Threat Analysis and Computer Forensics

The PCAP file shows a network packet capture of an HTTP GET request from a client to a server. The User-Agent header field identifies the type and version of the client software that generated the request. In this case, the User-Agent is Mozilla/5.0, which indicates that the client is using a Mozilla-based browser or application. The User-Agent can help the server to customize the response based on the client’s capabilities and preferences. References: Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) v1.0, Module 3: Network Protocols and Services, Lesson 3.2: HTTP and HTTPS, Topic 3.2.1: HTTP Headers.

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 When a server is experiencing high CPU and memory load, the first step is to identify the processes that are consuming the most resources. The command “ps -ef” is used to display information about all the running processes, including their IDs, memory and CPU usage, and the commands that started them. This allows the engineer to pinpoint which processes are responsible for the high load and take appropriate action, such as terminating unnecessary processes or optimizing resource usage345. References: Various resources on server management and troubleshooting recommend using the “ps -ef” command as a starting point for investigating high resource usage on servers

 A sandbox interprocess communication service refers to the mechanisms that allow different processes within a sandboxed environment to communicate with each other. These interfaces are crucial for coordinating activities among processes, especially in a restricted environment like a sandbox where direct interaction with the operating system or other processes might be limited for security reasons. This communication is essential for complex applications that require different processes to work together to perform tasks.

References := The Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) material covers various security technologies and how they can be used to protect systems, which includes the use of sandboxing to isolate and monitor potentially malicious code

HTTPS uses SSL/TLS encryption to secure data transmission over the internet. This encryption makes it difficult to monitor HTTPS traffic because the data packets are encrypted making them unreadable to anyone trying to intercept or monitor the data without proper decryption keys. References := Cisco CyberOps Associate

Social engineering attacks involve manipulating individuals into divulging confidential information or performing actions that compromise security. The fake offer for a free music download is a classic example of social engineering, where attackers lure users with a tempting offer to trick them into providing personal information or downloading malware.

References: Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS)

The difference between tampered and untampered disk images is:

• Tampered Images: These are disk images that have been altered or modified in some way after their initial creation. The stored hash and the computed hash will not match if the image has been tampered with.
• Untampered Images: These are disk images that have not been altered since their creation. They are considered authentic and reliable for forensic investigations. The stored hash and the computed hash will match, confirming that the image has remained unchanged.

Therefore, the correct answer is: D. Untampered images are used for forensic investigations.

Defense-in-depth is a security strategy where multiple layers of defense are placed throughout an information technology (IT) system. It addresses physical, technical, and administrative controls to provide redundancy and ensure that if one layer fails, others will be in place to thwart an attack. References: Cisco Tech Roles - CyberOps Engineer

The log in the exhibit is generated by a firewall. It shows a deny action taken on TCP traffic, specifying the source and destination addresses and ports, which is characteristic of firewall logs. Firewalls are designed to control incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules, and this log entry reflects the enforcement of such a rule.

References :=

• Cisco’s official documentation on firewall technologies and their log formats.

Statistical detection involves collecting data over time to define what is considered normal behavior or legitimate data for users or systems. It then uses statistical analysis to identify abnormal behavior that could indicate a security incident. Rule-based detection uses predefined rules or patterns that are based on known threats or vulnerabilities - it operates on an IF/THEN basis where if certain conditions are met then an alert is triggered. References := Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals

The exhibit displays a sys log which is used in computer systems for messaging logs. It provides messaging tracking services from different devices like routers, switches etc., which helps in tracking and identifying potential issues. References := Cisco Cybersecurity source documents or study guide 

Transaction data consists of connection level, application-specific records generated from network traffic. It provides information about the source, destination, protocol, and application of each network connection. Transaction data can be used to identify anomalies, malicious activities, and user behaviors on the network. References := Cisco CyberOps Engineer

NetFlow is a network protocol developed by Cisco for collecting IP traffic information and monitoring network flow. It provides valuable data about the network sessions occurring within the network, such as source and destination IP addresses, port numbers, and protocols used. This session data is useful for understanding traffic patterns, volume, and usage.

References: Cisco’s training and certification materials on NetFlow would discuss how it is used to obtain session data for network analysis.

The CDFS (Compact Disc File System) format is associated with the ISO 9660 standard, which is a file system for optical disc media. It is commonly used in Windows systems for CDs. When a security expert works on an ISO file saved in CDFS format, it typically indicates that the data was prepared or copied using a Windows-based system. This is because CDFS is the file system that Windows uses to read and write CDs, and the ISO file is an image of that CD data1.

References :=

• Understanding CDFS (Compact Disc File System): A Comprehensive Guide2.
• What type of evidence is this file? - VCEguide.com

Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts the victim’s data and demands a ransom for the decryption key. The attacker may also threaten to publish or delete the data if the ransom is not paid. In this case, the Egregor malware is distributed through a Cobalt Strike, which is a penetration testing tool that can be used to deploy payloads on compromised systems. The malware exfiltrates the victim’s data to a command and control server and uses it as leverage to extort money from the victim. References := Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals, Module 1: Security Concepts, Lesson 1.3: Common Network Application Operations and Attacks, Topic 1.3.3: Malware Attacks

Traffic with a known TOR exit node is often associated with data exfiltration, where sensitive information is transferred from within the network to an external location. TOR networks are used to anonymize the traffic, making it difficult to trace back to the source. References := Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals - Module 2: Security Monitoring

 Deep packet inspection (DPI) and stateful inspection are two techniques that are used by firewalls and other network security devices to inspect and filter network traffic. Stateful inspection allows visibility on Layer 4 (transport layer) of the OSI model, which means it can track the state of TCP or UDP connections and filter packets based on source and destination IP addresses, ports, and protocols. Deep packet inspection allows visibility on Layer 7 (application layer) of the OSI model, which means it can inspect the contents and payloads of packets and filter packets based on application-specific criteria, such as signatures, keywords, URLs, or behaviors. References:

• Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) v1.0, Module 2: Security Monitoring, Lesson 2.2: Network Security Monitoring Tools
• Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate Overview, Exam Topics, 2.2 Describe the impact of network security monitoring tools on data privacy

A threat actor is a person or entity that is responsible for an incident that impacts or has the potential to impact an organization’s security. A threat actor can have various motivations, such as financial gain, espionage, sabotage, or activism. A threat actor can use various methods, such as malware, phishing, denial-of-service, or social engineering, to perform an attack. A threat actor is not the same as a malware author, a bug bounty hunter, or a direct competitor, although they may be related or associated. A malware author is someone who creates malicious software that can be used by threat actors. A bug bounty hunter is someone who finds and reports vulnerabilities in software or systems for a reward. A direct competitor is someone who offers similar products or services as the organization and may seek to gain an advantage over it. References := Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) - Cisco, page 87; CNSSI 4009-2015, page 77

In the context of NIST SP800-61, a precursor is an event that indicates the potential occurrence of an incident. When an organization adjusts its security stance in response to online threats made by a known hacktivist group, the initial event—the threats—would be considered a precursor. It is an indication of a potential future attack or security incident34.

References :=

• NIST SP 800-61 Rev. 2, Computer Security Incident Handling Guide3.
• Computer Security Incident Handling Guide - NIST

 Phishing is considered a low-bandwidth attack because it does not require the use of significant network resources. Instead, it relies on social engineering to deceive individuals into providing sensitive information or clicking on malicious links, often through email or other communication methods1.

An attack surface is the sum of all the points where an attacker can try to enter or extract data from an environment. It includes all the hardware, software, network, and human components that are exposed to potential threats. An attack vector is the path or means by which an attacker can exploit a vulnerability in the attack surface. It describes the type, source, and technique of an attack, such as phishing, malware, denial-of-service, etc. References := Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) v1.0, Module 1: Security Concepts, Lesson 1.1: The CIA Triad and Security Concepts, Topic 1.1.3: Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Exploits

 Vulnerability refers to a weakness or flaw in a system that can be exploited by threats. Risk, on the other hand, is the potential for loss or damage when a threat exploits a vulnerability. The risk is essentially the impact or consequence of a vulnerability being exploited

Agent-based monitoring: With agent-based monitoring, software agents are installed on the monitored systems or devices. These agents collect data locally, perform filtering or preprocessing of the data, and then transmit the relevant or valuable information to the monitoring system. Agent-based monitoring allows for local processing and filtering, which can reduce network utilization by only transmitting essential data. Agentless monitoring: Agentless monitoring, on the other hand, does not require software agents to be installed on the monitored systems or devices. Instead, it relies on leveraging existing protocols and interfaces, such as APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) or SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol), to remotely access and retrieve monitoring data from the target systems. Agentless monitoring generally involves higher network utilization as the monitoring system needs to gather data from remote systems over the network.

According to NIST SP800-61, the incident response phase called “Containment, Eradication, and Recovery” involves containing the incident, eradicating the threat, and recovering from the incident2. In the scenario described, the engineer worked on containing the DDoS attack by identifying the attacker and the technique used, which is part of the containment process. The recommendation to implement Blackhole filtering is part of the eradication process, where measures are taken to prevent the attack from happening again. Finally, restoring the server is part of the recovery process, where normal operations are resumed. Therefore, the engineer finished work during the “Containment, Eradication, and Recovery” phase. References: NIST SP800-61 Computer Security Incident Handling Guide2.

What Are Ports 139 And 445? SMB has always been a network file sharing protocol. As such, SMB requires network ports on a computer or server to enable communication to other systems. SMB uses either IP port 139 or 445. Port 139 - SMB originally ran on top of NetBIOS using port 139. NetBIOS is an older transport layer that allows Windows computers to talk to each other on the same network. Port 445 - Later versions of SMB (after Windows 2000) began to use port 445 on top of a TCP stack. Using TCP allows SMB to work over the internet. https://www.varonis.com/blog/smb-port SMB Ports 139 and 445 are open Email Ports 25 and 110 are closed Therefore "D. Email Ports are closed on the Server."

The integrity metric in CVSS refers to the unauthorized modification or destruction of information. In this case, an attack that changes a destination bank account number with another one directly affects the accuracy and reliability of data, thus compromising its integrity. References := Cisco Cybersecurity

 During the negotiation phase of the TLS handshake, the client sends a “ClientHello” message to the server which includes information about TLS versions it supports, cipher-suites it supports and suggested compression methods. This initiates communication protocols for secure connection. References := Cisco Cybersecurity source documents or study guide

The exhibit shows a SQL query that is attempting to bypass login controls by modifying the query to always return true. This is a common tactic used in SQL injection attacks where malicious SQL statements are inserted into an entry field for execution. References := Cisco Cybersecurity Source Documents

 Indicators of Compromise (IoC) are pieces of forensic data, such as system log entries or files, that suggest an intrusion may have occurred. Indicators of Attack (IoA) are signs that an attack may be underway, allowing organizations to take action before any potential breach occurs.

References: The CBROPS course materials cover the concepts of IoC and IoA, explaining how they are used in cybersecurity operations to detect and prevent security incidents.

Enabling the “Allow subdissector to reassemble TCP streams” feature in Wireshark allows the tool to reassemble TCP segments into a contiguous sequence, which can be used by higher-level protocols to reconstruct a full message, such as an HTTP request or response. This is particularly useful for extracting files or data transmitted over TCP that are spread across multiple packets1.

References := The explanation is based on the Wireshark documentation, which details how the reassembly feature works and its use in analyzing TCP streams

 The principle of least privilege is a security best practice that states that an employee should have access to only the minimum amount of resources and permissions needed to perform their job function. This principle reduces the attack surface and the potential damage that can be caused by a compromised account, a malicious insider, or human error. The principle of least privilege can be enforced by using role-based access control (RBAC) and regular audits. References: Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) - Cisco, page 1-10; 200-201 CBROPS - Cisco, exam topic 1.2.a

 In the context of incident response, the detection step involves identifying potential security incidents. The Security Operation Center (SOC) Analyst, which in this case is Employee 4, is typically responsible for monitoring and analyzing security alerts to detect suspicious activities such as brute-force attempts. Therefore, Employee 4 would be the stakeholder responsible for the incident response detection step. References: The role of a SOC Analyst in incident response is outlined in cybersecurity frameworks and best practices, which describe the responsibilities of various stakeholders in detecting and responding to security incidents.

When analyzing Wireshark traffic for potential attacks, an engineer should look for patterns that indicate abnormal behavior, such as:

• Excessive Requests: A high number of requests over a short period could suggest an attempt to overwhelm the server, known as an HTTP flood.
• Status Codes: Repeated 403 Forbidden responses may indicate that the server is rejecting requests due to a security rule being triggered.
• Request Types: A mix of GET and POST requests could be used in various attack scenarios, including bandwidth flooding or cache bypassing.

An untampered disk image is one that has not been altered since its creation. This is verified by comparing the stored hash of the image at the time of creation with a newly computed hash; if they match, the image is considered untampered. Tampered images, on the other hand, may be used during the root cause analysis process to understand how and what was altered12. References: The differences between tampered and untampered disk images are discussed in cybersecurity literature, including Cisco’s certification guides, which explain the importance of hash matching for verifying the integrity of disk images

 Inline mode is used for monitoring the traffic path and can examine any traffic at wire speed. This means that it can analyze data packets as they pass through in real-time. On the other hand, tap mode is used for monitoring traffic as it traverses across the network but does not have the capability to examine data at wire speed like inline mode. References: The information can be referenced from Cisco’s official documentation on cybersecurity operations and fundamentals.

Stealthwatch is the technology that an engineer should use to fetch logs from a proxy server and generate actual events based on the data received. Cisco Secure Network Analytics, formerly known as Stealthwatch, provides the capability to configure proxy server logs so that the Flow Collector can receive the information. The Stealthwatch Management Console then displays this information on the Flow Proxy Records page, which includes URLs and application names of the traffic inside a network going through the proxy server1.

References :=

• Cisco Secure Network Analytics Proxy Log Configuration Guide