CyberS C6

Question 1

Q81: What is the concept of high availability?

Answer 1

A81: High availability refers to a system or component that is continuously operational for a given length of time, aiming for systems and services to be available 99.999% of the time with less than 5.26 minutes of downtime per year.

Question 2

Q82: What does “Five Nines” mean in terms of availability?

Answer 2

A82: “Five Nines” means that systems and services are available 99.999% of the time, implying both planned and unplanned downtime is less than 5.26 minutes per year.

Question 3

Q83: What are the key strategies to ensure high availability?

Answer 3

A83: To ensure high availability, it’s essential to:
1. Eliminate single points of failure.
2. Design for reliability.
3. Detect failures as they occur.

Question 4

Q84: How do high availability measures improve availability?

Answer 4

A84: High availability measures improve availability by ensuring systems and services are continuously operational, reducing downtime, and increasing reliability.

Question 5

Q85: How does an incident response plan improve high availability?

Answer 5

A85: An incident response plan improves high availability by providing a structured approach to detect, respond to, and recover from security incidents, minimizing their impact on system availability.

Question 6

Q86: What role does disaster recovery planning play in implementing high availability?

Answer 6

A86: Disaster recovery planning plays an important role in implementing high availability by preparing organizations to recover from significant incidents or disasters, ensuring business continuity and minimizing downtime.

Question 7

Q87: Which industries require high availability due to continuous trading, compliance, and customer trust?

Answer 7

A87: The finance industry requires high availability due to continuous trading, compliance, and customer trust.

Question 8

Q88: Why do healthcare facilities require high availability?

Answer 8

A88: Healthcare facilities require high availability to provide around-the-clock care for patients.

Question 9

Q89: Which industry includes agencies providing security and services to a community, state, or nation?

Answer 9

A89: The public safety industry includes agencies that provide security and services to a community, state, or nation.

Question 10

Q90: Why does the retail industry require high availability?

Answer 10

A90: The retail industry depends on efficient supply chains and the timely delivery of products to customers, especially during peak demand times such as holidays.

Question 11

Q91: What are some threats to high availability?

Answer 11

A91: Threats to high availability can range from failures of mission-critical applications to severe weather events like hurricanes or tornadoes. They can also include catastrophic events such as terrorist attacks, building bombings, or fires.

Question 12

Q92: What are the three major principles incorporated into designing a high availability system?

Answer 12

A92: The three major principles incorporated into designing a high availability system are:
1. Elimination or reduction of single-points of failure.
2. System Resiliency.
3. Fault Tolerance.

Question 13

Q93: Why is asset management important for improving availability?

Answer 13

A93: Asset management is important for improving availability because an organization needs to know its hardware and software assets to protect them effectively. This includes knowing all components subject to security risks, such as hardware systems, operating systems, network devices, software applications, firmware, language runtime environments, individual libraries, etc.

Question 14

Q94: What does asset classification involve?

Answer 14

A94: Asset classification involves assigning all resources of an organization into a group based on common characteristics. This classification system can be applied to documents, data records, data files, and disks.

Question 15

Q95: What is asset standardization in the context of IT asset management?

Answer 15

A95: Asset standardization in the context of IT asset management specifies the acceptable IT assets that meet an organization’s objectives.

Question 16

Q96: What is the purpose of the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) identification?

Answer 16

A96: The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) identification, sponsored by the United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, provides a standard identifier number with a brief description and references to related vulnerability reports and advisories.

Question 17

Q97: What is risk analysis in the context of availability?

Answer 17

A97: Risk analysis is the process of analyzing the dangers posed by natural and human-caused events to an organization’s assets. It helps in determining which assets need protection.

Question 18

Q98: What does mitigation involve in the context of improving availability?

Answer 18

A98: Mitigation involves reducing the severity or likelihood of loss from occurring. Various technical controls, such as authentication systems, file permissions, and firewalls, can help mitigate risks.

Question 19

Q99: What is Defense in Depth in the context of improving availability?

Answer 19

A99: Defense in Depth is a layered approach to cybersecurity that provides comprehensive protection by creating multiple barriers. If cyber criminals breach one layer, they must navigate through several more, with each layer being more complex than the previous one.

Question 20

Q100: How does limiting access to data improve availability?

Answer 20

A100: Limiting access to data reduces the possibility of threats. Organizations should restrict access so that users only have access levels necessary for their job roles, minimizing the risk of unauthorized access.

Question 21

Q101: What does diversity refer to in the context of Defense in Depth?

Answer 21

A101: Diversity in Defense in Depth refers to changing controls and procedures across different layers. Breaching one layer does not compromise the entire system, as different encryption algorithms or authentication systems may be used at different layers.

Diversity in Defense in Depth involves implementing diverse controls and procedures across multiple layers of defense. This ensures that breaching one layer doesn’t compromise the entire system, as different encryption algorithms or authentication methods are employed at each layer.

Question 22

Q102: How can obscuring information protect data and information?

Answer 22

A102: Obscuring information involves not revealing details that cyber criminals can exploit. This includes concealing information about the operating system version, server type, or equipment used, making it harder for attackers to identify vulnerabilities.

Question 23

Q103: Does complexity guarantee security in Defense in Depth?

Answer 23

A103: No, complexity does not necessarily guarantee security. Overly complex processes or technologies can lead to misconfigurations or non-compliance, potentially compromising security. Sometimes, simplicity can improve availability.

Question 24

Q104: What is a single point of failure, and why is it problematic?

Answer 24

A104: A single point of failure is a specific component, process, piece of data, or utility that, if it fails, can disrupt an organization’s operations. It’s problematic because it can compromise the availability of the entire system.

Question 25

Q105: How can redundancy improve availability?

Answer 25

A105: Redundancy involves building backup components into critical operations to ensure system availability. In the event of a component failure, the backup component takes over, ensuring uninterrupted service.

Question 26

Q106: What does N+1 redundancy mean?

Answer 26

A106: N+1 redundancy ensures system availability by having at least one backup component for every critical component (N). For example, a car has four tires (N) and a spare tire in the trunk (+1) for use in case of a flat tire.

Question 27

Q107: What is RAID?

Answer 27

A107: RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) combines multiple physical hard drives into a single logical unit to provide data redundancy and improve performance. It spreads data across several drives, allowing data recovery if any single disk fails.

Question 28

Q108: How does RAID improve data recovery speed?

Answer 28

A108: RAID increases data recovery speed by using multiple drives. Retrieving requested data becomes faster as the workload is distributed across several disks instead of relying on a single disk.

Question 29

Q109: What are the two types of RAID solutions, and what do they mean?

Answer 29

A109: RAID solutions can be hardware-based or software-based. Terms describing RAID storage methods include:
- Parity: Detects data errors.
- Striping: Writes data across multiple drives.
- Mirroring: Stores duplicate data on a second drive.

Question 30

Q110: What is Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) in the context of network redundancy?

Answer 30

A110: Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) is a network protocol that prevents loops in a network when switches interconnect via multiple paths. It ensures that redundant physical links are loop-free and blocks redundant paths that could cause loops.

Question 31

Q111: Why is having a single router as a default gateway problematic?

Answer 31

A111: Having a single router as a default gateway is problematic because it becomes a single point of failure. If the router fails, devices lose access to the rest of the network or the Internet.

Question 32

Q112: What is first-hop redundancy in the context of router redundancy?

Answer 32

A112: First-hop redundancy refers to the ability of a network to dynamically recover from the failure of a router acting as a default gateway by switching to an alternative router.

Question 33

Q113: What is Hot Standby Router Protocol (HSRP)?

Answer 33

A113: Hot Standby Router Protocol (HSRP) provides high network availability by offering first-hop routing redundancy. It allows a backup router to take over if the primary router fails.

Question 34

Q114: What is Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP)?

Answer 34

A114: Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP) allows one or more routers attached to a LAN to work together. In a VRRP configuration, one router is elected as the virtual router master, and others act as backups in case the master fails.

Question 35

Q115: What is Gateway Load Balancing Protocol (GLBP)?

Answer 35

A115: Gateway Load Balancing Protocol (GLBP) provides data traffic protection from a failed router or circuit. Like HSRP and VRRP, it allows load balancing between a group of redundant routers, distributing traffic and preventing overloads.

Question 36

Q116: What are the three forms of location redundancy?

Answer 36

A116: The three forms of location redundancy are:
- Synchronous: Synchronizes both locations in real time, requires high bandwidth, and the locations must be close together to reduce latency.
- Asynchronous Replication: Not synchronized in real time but close to it, requires less bandwidth, and sites can be further apart because latency is less of an issue.
- Point-in-time Replication: Updates the backup data location periodically and is the most bandwidth conservative option because it does not require a constant connection.

Question 37

Q117: What is system resilience in the context of improving availability?

Answer 37

A117: System resilience defines the methods and configurations used to make a system or network tolerant of failure. It involves understanding the business needs of the organization and incorporating redundancy to create a resilient network, going beyond just adding redundancy.

Question 38

Q118: What are the four phases of incident response?

Answer 38

A118: The four phases of incident response are:
1. Preparation: Planning for potential incidents.
2. Detection and Analysis: Discovering the incident.
3. Containment and Eradication, and Recovery: Efforts to immediately contain or eradicate the threat and begin recovery efforts.
4. Post-Incident Follow-Up: Investigate the cause of the incident and ask questions to better understand the nature of the threat.

Question 39

Q119: What is Network Admission Control (NAC) used for?

Answer 39

A119: Network Admission Control (NAC) allows network access for authorized users with compliant systems. A compliant system meets all the policy requirements of the organization.

Question 40

Q120: What do Intrusion Detection Systems (IDSs) do?

Answer 40

A120: Intrusion Detection Systems (IDSs) monitor the traffic on a network. They are passive systems that detect and alert on suspicious activities but do not take direct action.

Question 41

Q121: How do Intrusion Prevention Systems differ from IDSs?

Answer 41

A121: Intrusion Prevention Systems operate in inline mode, allowing them to detect and immediately address a network problem by taking direct action against suspicious activities.

Question 42

Q122: What is NetFlow and IPFIX?

Answer 42

A122: NetFlow is a Cisco IOS technology that provides statistics on packets flowing through a Cisco router or multilayer switch. The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) used Cisco’s NetFlow Version 9 as the basis for IP Flow Information Export (IPFIX).

Question 43

Q123: How can Advanced Threat Intelligence help organizations?

Answer 43

A123: Advanced Threat Intelligence can help organizations detect attacks during one of the stages of the cyberattack and sometimes even before by providing the right information.

Question 44

Q124: What is considered a disaster in disaster recovery planning?

Answer 44

A124: A disaster includes any natural or human-caused event that damages assets or property and impairs the ability for the organization to continue operating.

Question 45

Q125: What are the types of natural disasters mentioned in disaster recovery planning?

Answer 45

A125: Natural disasters include:
- Geological disasters: earthquakes, landslides, volcanoes, and tsunamis
- Meteorological disasters: hurricanes, tornadoes, snow storms, lightning, and hail
- Health disasters: widespread illnesses, quarantines, and pandemics
- Miscellaneous disasters: fires, floods, solar storms, and avalanches

Question 46

Q126: What are the types of human-caused disasters mentioned in disaster recovery planning?

Answer 46

A126: Human-caused disasters include:
- Labor events: strikes, walkouts, and slowdowns
- Social-political events: vandalism, blockades, protests, sabotage, terrorism, and war
- Materials events: hazardous spills and fires
- Utilities disruptions: power failures, communication outages, fuel shortages, and radioactive fallout

Question 47

Q127: What is the need for business continuity planning?

Answer 47

A127: Business continuity planning ensures the organization’s ability to continue its operations regardless of any unforeseen events or disasters. It helps in maintaining business functions during and after a disaster.

Question 48

Q128: What are some considerations for business continuity planning?

Answer 48

A128: Business continuity considerations should include:
- Documenting configurations
- Establishing alternate communications channels
- Providing power
- Identifying all dependencies for applications and processes
- Understanding how to carry out automated tasks manually

Question 49

Q129: What are the best practices for business continuity planning?

Answer 49

A129: The best practices for business continuity planning include:
1. Writing a policy that provides guidance for developing the business continuity plan and assigning roles.
2. Identifying critical systems and processes and prioritizing them.
3. Identifying vulnerabilities, threats, and calculating risks.
4. Identifying and implementing controls and countermeasures to reduce risk.
5. Devising methods to bring back critical systems quickly.
6. Writing procedures to keep the organization functioning during chaotic states.
7. Testing the plan.
8. Updating the plan regularly.