Scenarios Flashcards
A company has noticed unusual outbound traffic from a server. What is the first action the security team should take?
The first action is to isolate the server from the network to prevent any potential data exfiltration. The team should then analyze the traffic to identify the source and nature of the activity.
A security team is investigating an alert triggered by a network intrusion detection system (NIDS). What is the primary purpose of a NIDS?
The primary purpose of a NIDS is to monitor network traffic in real-time and detect suspicious or malicious activity. It alerts the security team about potential security threats such as intrusions or attacks.
A company’s web application is experiencing a large number of failed login attempts. What is the best action to mitigate this?
The best action is to implement account lockout policies or rate limiting after a set number of failed attempts. This helps prevent brute-force attacks and protects user accounts from unauthorized access.
A company is deploying an endpoint detection and response (EDR) solution. What is the main benefit of using an EDR?
The main benefit of an EDR is that it continuously monitors endpoints for suspicious activity such as malware or unauthorized access. It provides real-time detection and response capabilities to help mitigate security incidents.
A company is reviewing its disaster recovery plan. What is the first step in ensuring its effectiveness?
The first step is to identify the most critical business functions and systems that need to be restored in the event of a disaster. This allows the company to prioritize recovery and ensure that key operations are not interrupted.
A company has detected a phishing attack targeting its employees. What is the best way to educate employees about phishing risks?
The best approach is to conduct regular security awareness training that includes identifying phishing attempts and how to avoid them. Additionally conducting simulated phishing exercises can help employees recognize suspicious emails.
A company is concerned about potential insider threats. What is the most effective way to mitigate this risk?
The most effective way to mitigate insider threats is to implement the principle of least privilege by restricting employee access to only the resources necessary for their roles. Additionally monitoring user behavior and implementing data loss prevention (DLP) can help detect suspicious activities.
A company is evaluating a new firewall to improve network security. What is the most important feature to look for?
The most important feature is the ability to inspect both inbound and outbound traffic, detect potential threats, and block malicious activities. Additionally it should be able to handle deep packet inspection to detect advanced threats.
A company has experienced a ransomware attack that encrypted several files. What is the first step to take in response?
The first step is to isolate the affected systems to prevent the ransomware from spreading. Next the company should attempt to recover the files from backups and analyze how the attack occurred to prevent future incidents.
A company is reviewing its security controls for remote workers. What is the best way to secure remote access to the company’s network?
The best way is to implement a virtual private network (VPN) that encrypts all internet traffic between remote workers and the company’s network. Additionally multi-factor authentication (MFA) should be used for an added layer of security.
A company is deploying a security information and event management (SIEM) solution. What is the main benefit of a SIEM?
The main benefit of a SIEM is that it collects and analyzes security event data from multiple sources to detect potential threats. It allows security teams to respond quickly to incidents and maintain a comprehensive overview of the organization’s security posture.
A company is experiencing slow network performance and suspects a denial-of-service (DoS) attack. What is the first step to mitigate this?
The first step is to identify the source of the attack and filter malicious traffic using network filtering tools. The company may also implement rate limiting or use a cloud-based DDoS protection service to absorb the attack traffic.
A company is concerned about vulnerabilities in its cloud infrastructure. What is the best approach to secure its cloud environment?
The best approach is to implement cloud security posture management (CSPM) tools to continuously monitor for misconfigurations and vulnerabilities. Additionally using strong encryption and access controls are critical to securing cloud resources.
A company has discovered that several employees are using weak passwords. What is the best action to address this issue?
The best action is to enforce a strong password policy that requires the use of complex passwords. Implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) can also help strengthen security by adding an additional layer of protection.
A company is implementing a vulnerability management program. What is the first step in the process?
The first step is to conduct a vulnerability assessment to identify and prioritize security weaknesses in systems and applications. This allows the organization to address the most critical vulnerabilities first.
A company is implementing an identity and access management (IAM) system. What is the main benefit of using IAM?
The main benefit is that IAM centralizes and automates the management of user identities and access privileges, ensuring that users have appropriate access while maintaining strong security controls and audit trails.
A company has a security operations center (SOC) that monitors its network for threats. What is the primary function of the SOC?
The primary function of a SOC is to continuously monitor an organization’s network for security incidents and respond to detected threats. It serves as the first line of defense by investigating and mitigating potential security events in real-time.
A company is concerned about the risk of data breaches. What is the most effective way to protect sensitive data?
The most effective way to protect sensitive data is through encryption both at rest and in transit. Additionally implementing strong access controls and regularly auditing access to sensitive data can help mitigate the risk of unauthorized access.
A company is considering outsourcing its IT security operations to a third-party managed security service provider (MSSP). What is the most important factor to consider?
The most important factor is to ensure that the MSSP has the necessary expertise, certifications, and security controls to meet the company’s specific security needs. It is also essential to define clear service level agreements (SLAs) and responsibilities.
A company has implemented an intrusion prevention system (IPS) to enhance network security. What is the primary function of an IPS?
The primary function of an IPS is to monitor network traffic in real-time, detect potential security threats, and automatically block or prevent malicious traffic from reaching the network. It provides an active layer of defense against attacks.
A company is considering using a cloud-based data storage service. What is the most important consideration when selecting the service?
The most important consideration is to evaluate the provider’s security measures including encryption, access controls, and compliance with industry regulations such as GDPR or HIPAA to ensure the protection of sensitive data.
A company is preparing for an audit of its security practices. What is the best way to prepare for the audit?
The best way to prepare is to review all security policies and procedures, ensure they are up-to-date, and verify that they are being followed. Conducting an internal audit and addressing any identified gaps beforehand can help ensure compliance.
A company is concerned about the security of its software development lifecycle. What is the best way to ensure secure development practices?
The best way is to integrate security practices such as secure coding guidelines and regular code reviews into the development process. Implementing automated security testing tools and conducting security assessments can also help identify vulnerabilities early.
A company is experiencing an increase in phishing attempts targeting its employees. What is the first action to take in response?
The first action is to conduct security awareness training for employees to help them recognize phishing attempts. Additionally implementing email filtering solutions that block phishing emails can help reduce the number of attacks.