200-201 Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) Question and Answers

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

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.

Digital certificates are electronic documents that use public key cryptography to verify the identity and authenticity of the sender and the receiver of encrypted communications. Digital certificates are issued and signed by trusted entities called certificate authorities (CAs), and they contain information such as the public key, the name, and the expiration date of the certificate. Digital certificates enable network security devices to decrypt perimeter traffic and inspect it for command and control communications or other malicious activity. References := Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) - Cisco, page 51.

In this scenario, the threat actor refers to the individuals or entities responsible for the attack that resulted in a breach of assets and sensitive information. The receptionist received a threatening call but did not take action, leading to an actual breach within 48 hours. References: The explanation is inferred from general cybersecurity knowledge as specific details are not provided in the Cisco Cybersecurity documents linked.

In the context of the cyber kill chain model, spam campaigns fall under the “delivery” phase where attackers deliver malicious payloads via email or other means to target systems or networks. References: Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals, Module 1: Security Concepts, Lesson 1.4: Security Monitoring, Topic 1.4.2: The Cyber Kill Chain Model

NetFlow is a network protocol developed by Cisco for collecting IP traffic information and monitoring network traffic. It collects metadata of the IP traffic flowing across networking devices like routers and switches. On the other hand, Traffic mirroring involves capturing all the data packets that flow through a particular point in the network to analyze or inspect them later. References := Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals

A phishing attack often involves sending emails that appear to be from reputable sources with the goal of inducing individuals to reveal personal information, such as passwords and credit card numbers. In this case, the email with the subject “price deduction” containing a malicious attachment is designed to trick the recipient into opening the attachment, which can then execute harmful software on their device

Indicators of Attack (IoA) refer to observable behaviors or artifacts that suggest a security breach or ongoing attack.

When internal hosts communicate with countries outside the business range, it may indicate data exfiltration or command-and-control communication to an external threat actor.

Unlike Indicators of Compromise (IoC) which indicate that a system has already been compromised, IoAs are often used to identify malicious activity in its early stages.

Monitoring for unusual outbound connections is a crucial aspect of detecting advanced persistent threats (APTs) and other sophisticated attacks.

References

Difference Between Indicators of Compromise and Indicators of Attack

Cyber Threat Detection Using Indicators of Attack

Network Monitoring for Anomalous Behavior

The packet capture exhibit shows that the source IP address is 192.168.122.100 and it is sending a packet from source port 50272 to destination port 80 of destination IP address 81.179.179.69 using TCP protocol. The TCP protocol is indicated by the Protocol field which has the value 6. The source and destination ports are indicated by the SrcPort and DstPort fields respectively. The source and destination IP addresses are indicated by the SrcAddr and DstAddr fields respectively. References := Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals - Module 3: Network Data and Event Analysis

 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

Reflective XSS, also known as Non-Persistent XSS, occurs when an attacker sends a malicious script to a user through a web application, and the script is executed immediately in the user’s browser without being stored on the server. This type of attack is typically carried out by including the malicious script in a URL, which is then sent to the victim. When the victim clicks on the link, the script runs in their browser, reflecting the attacker’s actions without storing the payload for repeated use12. References: OWASP Foundation’s documentation on Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) provides detailed information on the different types of XSS attacks, including Reflective XSS

 Running all processes as root or administrator violates the principle of least privilege, which states that users and processes should be granted only the minimum permissions necessary to perform their specific role or function within an organization. Running all processes as root or administrator gives them full access and control over the system, which increases the risk of unauthorized actions, malicious attacks, and accidental errors. It also makes it easier for attackers to escalate their privileges and compromise the system. 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

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

User interaction is any event that requires the user to perform an action that enables or facilitates a cyberattack. Opening a malicious file is an example of user interaction, as it can trigger the execution of malicious code or malware that can compromise the system or network. Gaining root access, executing remote code, and reading and writing file permissions are not user interactions, but rather actions that can be performed by an attacker after exploiting a vulnerability or bypassing security controls. References: Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) - Cisco, More than 99% of cyberattacks rely on human interaction

Application-level allow list refers to the practice of specifying an index of approved applications that are permitted to be executed in a system environment or network, which means only specific files are allowed while everything else is denied by default, enhancing security.

The event where a breached workstation is trying to connect to a known malicious domain suggests that the attacker is moving towards their end goals, which typically involves actions on objectives.

In the Cyber Kill Chain framework, "Action on objectives" refers to the steps taken by an attacker to achieve their intended outcomes, such as data exfiltration, destruction, or ransom demands.

This phase involves the attacker executing their final mission within the target environment, leveraging access gained in earlier stages of the attack.

References

Lockheed Martin Cyber Kill Chain

Understanding the Stages of Cyber Attacks

Incident Response and the Cyber Kill Chain

Traffic tapping involves replicating network traffic and sending it to a separate port where it can be analyzed without affecting the original traffic flow. This allows security analysts to monitor and analyze traffic for potential threats without the risk of blocking legitimate traffic.

This explanation is based on general network security concepts, as the current page does not provide specific Cisco documentation.

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

An attack vector is the method or technique that an attacker uses to exploit a vulnerability in a system or network. An attack vector can be a software, hardware, or human component that can be manipulated to gain unauthorized access, execute malicious code, or cause damage. An attack surface is the sum of all the possible attackvectors that are exposed by a system or network. An attack surface can be reduced by applying security measures such as patching, hardening, firewalling, and encrypting. References: Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) - Cisco, page 1-4; 200-201 CBROPS - Cisco, exam topic 1.1.c

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.

 Sliding window anomaly detection is a technique used in cybersecurity to identify unusual patterns or behaviors that deviate from the norm. It involves analyzing segments of data over a period of time, referred to as a ‘window,’ and comparing them against typical patterns. Anomalies are detected when observed behaviors significantly differ from expected patterns, indicating potential security incidents or issues that require further investigation. References: An adaptive sliding window for anomaly detection of time series in wireless sensor networks

 Profiling a network involves various elements that provide insights into its characteristics and behaviors. Total throughput is crucial as it measures the amount of data passing from a source to a destination in a given period, reflecting the network’s capacity and usage patterns1. Listening ports are also essential for profiling because they represent the entry points for network services, indicating which services are available and potentially vulnerable1.

References :=

Network profiling tools and techniques discussed in online resources23.

Direct explanations of network profile elements

A Certificate Authority (CA) is responsible for issuing digital certificates to validate the identity of the certificate holder and provide a means to establish secure communications over networks like the Internet. References := Cisco Cybersecurity Source Documents

Defense-in-depth is a layered security strategy that aims to protect information and resources through multiple security measures.

One of its key principles is the concept of least privilege, which means providing users and systems with the minimum level of access necessary to perform their job functions.

By assigning only the necessary permissions, the attack surface is reduced, and the potential damage from a compromised account or system is minimized.

This principle helps in mitigating the risk of unauthorized access and limits the capabilities of an attacker if they gain access to an account.

References

Defense-in-Depth Strategy by NIST

Principle of Least Privilege in Cybersecurity

Layered Security Approach Explained

 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 buffer overflow attack occurs when more data is written to a buffer than it is designed to hold. This excess data can overwrite adjacent memory locations, leading to the execution of malicious code or crashing the system. Buffer overflows are a common vulnerability that attackers exploit to gain unauthorized access to systems.

Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS)

False-positive alerts are alerts that are triggered by benign or normal network traffic and are mistakenly identified as malicious. False positives can have a negative impact on business as they may consume the resources and time of the security team that need to analyze and verify them. True-positive alerts are alerts that correctly identify malicious traffic or activity and require proper incident response procedures. True positives can help the security team to quickly detect and mitigate threats and minimize the damage to the organization. References := Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) - Cisco, page 92; [Cisco CyberOps Associate CBROPS 200-201 Official Cert Guide], page 98

SQL injection is a type of injection attack where malicious SQL statements are inserted into an entry field for execution.

The primary way to prevent SQL injection is by validating and sanitizing user input. This involves checking the input for malicious content and ensuring it adheres to expected patterns.

Prepared statements (parameterized queries) are also highly effective, as they treat user input as data rather than executable code.

Implementing these practices ensures that any input received from users does not manipulate SQL queries in a harmful way.

References

OWASP SQL Injection Prevention Cheat Sheet

Best Practices for Input Validation and Sanitization

Secure Coding Guidelines

Host-based firewalls are designed to protect individual workstations from unwanted traffic by filtering incoming and outgoing network communications based on predefined security rules. They can block unauthorized access attempts and prevent potentially harmful traffic from reaching the system.

Social engineering is a type of testing method that involves manipulating or deceiving people into performing actions or divulging information that can compromise the security of the organization. Social engineering can take various forms, such as phishing, vishing, baiting, quid pro quo, or impersonation. The scenario in the question is an example of a phishing attack, where the intruder sent an email to the user that appeared to be legitimate and contained a malicious link that infected the user’s machine and allowed the intruder to access the corporate network. References: [Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) - Module 6: Security Incident Investigations]

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.

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

The regular expression c(rgr)+e matches strings where “rgr” occurs one or more times between “c” and “e”. The string “crgrrgre” fits this pattern as it has the sequence “rgr” repeated twice between “c” and “e”. The plus sign (+) in the regular expression indicates that the preceding element must appear one or more times for a match to occur

The logs indicating multiple local TCP connection events are typically provided by a firewall. Firewalls are responsible for monitoring and controlling incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules, and they generate logs that detail such events, which can be used for further analysis and incident response. References := Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals

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 keyinfrastructure (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

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

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)

 The average time taken by a Security Operations Center (SOC) to detect and resolve incidents is a critical metric for evaluating its effectiveness and scope. This metric reflects the SOC’s efficiency in identifying security threats and its ability to respond and mitigate those threats promptly. It encompasses the entire incident lifecycle, from initial detection to final resolution, providing a comprehensive measure of the SOC’s performance1.

References :=

Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS)

The file that is extractable via TCP stream within Wireshark is the one that has the Content-Type header set to application/octet-stream, which indicates binary data. Thisheader is present in frames 7, 14, and 21, which are part of the same TCP stream. The other frames have different Content-Type headers, such as text/html or image/jpeg, which are not extractable as binary files. References := Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) v1.0, Module 3: Network Intrusion Analysis, Lesson 3.2: Analyze Data from Common TCP/IP Protocols, Topic 3.2.3: HTTP

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

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.

= 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.

The attack vector score in the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) reflects how a vulnerability can be exploited. A higher score is given when the attack can be conducted remotely, making it easier for an attacker to exploit the vulnerability without physical access to the vulnerable component3. References: The CVSS specification document provides a detailed explanation of how the attack vector score is determined, emphasizing the impact of the ease of exploitation on the score

DDoS attacks are divided into two categories: reflected and direct. Reflected attacks use a third-party system to amplify the attack traffic and send it to the target. For example, an attacker can send a spoofed request to a DNS server, which will reply with a large amount of data to the target’s IP address. Direct attacks send the attack traffic directly from the attacker’s system or a botnet to the target. For example, an attacker can send a large number of SYN packets to the target’s port, exhausting its resources. References := Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals, Module 1: Security Concepts, Lesson 1.3: Common Network Application Operations and Attacks, Topic 1.3.4: Denial-of-Service Attacks

 In TCP/IP networking, the ACK flag is used to acknowledge the receipt of a packet. It’s a way to confirm that the previous packets have been received and that the connection is proceeding as expected. The RST flag, on the other hand, is used to reset the connection. It is sent if a segment arrives which is not intended for the current connection, or if a connection request is to be denied. Essentially, the ACK flag is about maintaining the established connection, while the RST flag is about aborting connections that are not valid or are no longer needed123.

The information provided is based on standard TCP/IP protocol behavior as described in networking resources and Cisco’s cybersecurity documentation

 Behavior-based detection monitors the behavior of programs in real-time. If a piece of software acts similarly to known malware after it’s been executed, behavior-based detection can stop it in its tracks. Signature-based detection involves searching for known patterns of data within executable code; if a pattern matches a “signature” in the system’s database that is considered malicious. References: Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals

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

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

The image shows a piece of code within a bordered rectangular area.

It is a string of HTML code that appears to be an example of an attack, specifically “”.

The code suggests an attempt to execute JavaScript within an image source attribute, indicative of a cross-site scripting attack.

Statistical data is crucial for detecting anomalies within a network because it provides a baseline of normal behavior.

Anomaly detection involves comparing current network data against historical statistical data to identify deviations from expected patterns.

This method helps in identifying unusual activities that could signify a security threat, such as unusual login attempts, data transfers, or access patterns.

Statistical data analysis tools use metrics such as mean, variance, and standard deviation to flag anomalies, aiding in proactive threat detection.

References

Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals

Network Anomaly Detection Techniques

Statistical Methods in Cybersecurity

A threat agent is the entity that is responsible for initiating a threat action that exploits a vulnerability. A threat agent can be a person, a group, an organization, or a system. In this scenario, the threat agent is the foreign government that hacked the defense contractor and stole the intellectual property. The threat agent’s motivation, capability, and resources determine the level of threat they pose to the target. References: Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) - Cisco, page 1-3; 200-201 CBROPS - Cisco, exam topic 1.1.b

Threat hunting is a proactive cybersecurity technique that involves searching for indicators of compromise or signs of intrusion within an organization’s network or systems. Unlike automated detection systems, threat hunting is typically carried out by security analysts who use their knowledge and intuition to identify subtle, unusual patterns that may indicate a security breach. The goal of threat hunting is to identify and mitigate threats before they can cause significant damage.

The CBROPS course material covers the concept of threat hunting as part of the skill set required for cybersecurity operations analysts, who are responsible for identifying and mitigating cyber threats

Windows Security Event ID 4625 is generated when an account fails to log on. When a SOC analyst observes a large number of Audit Failure events occurring in rapid succession, this is a strong indicator of a brute-force authentication attack.

Brute-force attacks involve repeatedly attempting different username and password combinations to gain unauthorized access to a system. These attacks commonly target Windows servers exposed to internal or external networks and often focus on privileged or commonly used accounts. The repeated failures shown in the exhibit indicate that authentication attempts are being made unsuccessfully over a short time period, which is abnormal for standard user behavior.

Option A is incorrect because the logs clearly show that Windows auditing is functioning correctly and recording failures. Option B is incorrect because normal Windows activity does not generate large volumes of failed authentication events in a short time frame. Option D is incorrect because a Denial-of-Service (DoS) attack targets system availability and resource exhaustion, not authentication mechanisms.

Cybersecurity operations documentation highlights failed login storms as one of the most common indicators of credential-based attacks. SIEM platforms are designed to alert analysts on such patterns because they often precede account compromise or lateral movement attempts.

 Input sanitization involves cleaning up user input before processing it, ensuring that it does not contain malicious code intended for buffer overflow attacks or other types of security breaches. References := New Cybersecurity Skills

The exhibit indicates that email traffic is being transmitted in clear text, meaning the contents of the communication are readable without encryption. In network intrusion analysis, this is commonly observed when Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) traffic is captured on standard ports such as 25 or 587 without Transport Layer Security (TLS) enabled.

Encrypted mail protocols, such as SMTPS on port 465 or SMTP with STARTTLS, protect message contents from being inspected by unauthorized parties. When encryption is not in use, sensitive information such as email headers, message bodies, usernames, and potentially passwords can be exposed to attackers performing packet capture or man-in-the-middle attacks.

Option A is incorrect because port 465 indicates encrypted SMTPS communication, which contradicts the observed plaintext traffic. Option B is incorrect because altered sequence and acknowledgment numbers would indicate session manipulation or injection, not lack of encryption. Option D refers to the function of an SMTP relay but does not describe the observed condition in the traffic.

Cybersecurity operations fundamentals stress the importance of detecting unencrypted protocols during network analysis, as they represent high-risk exposure points. Identifying plaintext email communication is a key responsibility of SOC analysts and often leads to remediation actions such as enforcing TLS or disabling insecure services.

Therefore, the correct conclusion is that mail communication is not encrypted, making Option C the correct answer.

 To analyze both payload and header information, an engineer must capture the full packet data. This includes all protocol and payload information for the traffic, allowing for a comprehensive analysis of the data being transmitted5678. References: Full packet capture is a common practice in network monitoring and security, as it provides detailed insights into the data transmitted over the network, including both payload and header information

The Nmap scan results show that several ports, including ftp (21/tcp), ssh (22/tcp), telnet (23/tcp), smtp (25/tcp), and http (80/tcp), are listed as “filtered”. This typically indicatesthat a firewall is filtering the traffic to these ports, making it impossible to determine whether they are open without further investigation. However, the question specifically asks about SMB ports, which are not shown in the provided Nmap scan results. Therefore, based on the information given, we cannot confirm that the attacker identified open SMB ports on the server. The correct answer would require additional evidence not present in the scan results. References := Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) course materials and official Cisco documentation provide insights into interpreting Nmap scan results and identifying port states. These resources can be found at the Cisco Learning Network Store and Cisco’s official training and certifications webpage

To isolate the suspicious host that is performing intensive network scanning, the analyst should collect the traffic by most active source IP. This will help to identify the IP address of the host that is generating the most traffic and sending the most packets or bytes. The analyst can then apply filters or queries to analyze the traffic from that source IP anddetermine the nature and scope of the scanning activity. References := Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) - Cisco, page 72; [Cisco CyberOps Associate CBROPS 200-201 Official Cert Guide], page 468

The output indicates that several ports are open on the server with IP address 172.18.104.139, including port 22/tcp for SSH, port 25/tcp for SMTP, port 110/tcp for POP3, and port 143/tcp for IMAP - these are typically associated with a web server. References := Cisco Cybersecurity Source Documents

 Separation of duties is a security principle that requires more than one person to perform a critical task, such as authorizing a transaction, approving a budget, or granting access to sensitive data. Separation of duties reduces the risk of fraud, error, abuse, or conflict of interest by preventing any single person from having too much power or privilege. Least privilege, need to know, and due diligence are other security principles, but they do not require more than one person to perform a critical task. References: Separation of Duty (SOD) - Glossary | CSRC - NIST Computer Security …, Separation of Duties | Imperva

 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)

A botnet is a network of compromised computers controlled by an attacker. Botnets are often used to carry out Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, where the compromised machines are directed to flood a target with traffic, rendering it inaccessible. References: Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals, Module 1: Security Concepts, Lesson 1.3: Common Network Application Operations and Attacks, Topic 1.3.4: Denial-of-Service Attacks

Protected data refers to any information that can be used on its own or with other information to identify, contact, or locate a single person, or to identify an individual in context. In the scenario described, the engineer must identify data that is considered protected under privacy laws and regulations. Personal Identifiable Information (PII) and Protected Health Information (PHI) are two types of data that are considered protected. PII includes any data that could potentially identify a specific individual, such as addresses and gender. PHI refers to any information about health status, provision of health care, or payment for health care that can be linked to an individual. This is what makes both PII and PHI crucial to be identified and protected in compliance with data protection regulations.

The Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) course provides insights into identifying protected data and the importance of safeguarding it within a network1.

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.

Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS)

Cyber Kill Chain

Patch management is the process of distributing and managing updates to software and systems. These updates can include patches for security vulnerabilities, bug fixes, andenhancements to improve performance or add new features. It ensures that systems are up-to-date, secure, and performing optimally. References := Cisco Cybersecurity Training

 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.

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.

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

A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack involves multiple compromised devices (botnet) sending a large number of requests to a target server to overwhelm it.

In a specific type of DDoS attack known as an NTP amplification attack, the attacker exploits the Network Time Protocol (NTP) servers by sending small queries with a spoofed source IP address (the target’s IP).

The NTP server responds with a much larger reply to the target’s IP address, thereby amplifying the traffic directed at the target.

This reflection and amplification technique significantly increases the volume of traffic sent to the target, causing denial of service.

References

OWASP DDoS Attack Overview

NTP Amplification Attack Explained

Understanding Botnets and Distributed Attacks

A screenshot of a computer Description automatically generated

Full packet capture (FPC) is a valuable tool for investigating security breaches because it provides comprehensive data that can be used to reconstruct the event and identify the root cause. By capturing every packet, FPC allows engineers to see exactly what took place during the breach, including the TCP flags set within each packet, which can help focus on suspicious packets to identify malicious activity. It also collects metadata,including IP traffic packet data that is sorted, parsed, and indexed, and provides the full TCP streams to follow the metadata to identify the incoming threat

The lack of data visibility needed to detect the attack is caused by the threat actor gaining access to the system by known credentials. This means that the threat actor either obtained the employee’s username and password through phishing, social engineering, or other means, or used a compromised account that had legitimate access to the system. This would explain why there were no suspicious logs, alerts, or failed login attempts, as the threat actor appeared to be a normal user. 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 2.1.2)

 SOC metrics in relation to security incidents typically refer to the time it takes to detect the incident. These metrics are crucial for evaluating the effectiveness of incident response and remediation efforts by SOC teams. For example, metrics like the Mean Time to Detect (MTTD) enable organizations to assess how quickly they can identify a security incident, which is essential for reducing the impact of the incident on the organization. 

Decision making is a principle that guides an analyst to gather information relevant to a security incident to determine the appropriate course of action. Decision making involves identifying the problem, defining the criteria, analyzing the alternatives, and choosing the best solution. Decision making helps an analyst to respond to an incident effectively and efficiently, while minimizing the impact and risk to the organization. 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: Security Monitoring, Lesson 3.1: Security Operations Center)

Data encapsulation is a process in networking where the protocol stack of the sending host adds headers (and sometimes trailers) to the data.

Each layer of the OSI or TCP/IP model adds its own header to the data as it passes down the layers, preparing it for transmission over the network.

For example, in the TCP/IP model, data starts at the application layer and is encapsulated at each subsequent layer (Transport, Internet, and Network Access) before being transmitted.

This encapsulation ensures that the data is correctly formatted and routed to its destination, where the headers are stripped off in reverse order by the receiving host.

References

Networking Fundamentals by Cisco

OSI Model and Data Encapsulation Process

Understanding TCP/IP Encapsulation

TOR is a network that enables anonymous communication over the internet by routing the traffic through a series of relays or nodes. TOR alters the data content during transit by encrypting it and the destination information over multiple layers, using a technique called onion routing. Each layer of encryption can only be decrypted by a specific relay in the network, which reveals the next destination. This way, no single relay knows the complete path or the content of the data, making it difficult to trace or monitor the communication. References := Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals, Module 2: Security Monitoring, Lesson 2.1: The Network as a Sensor, Topic 2.1.3: Network Data Exfiltration Techniques

 The attack surface is the sum of all paths for data into and out of the environment, such as network interfaces, applications, services, protocols, ports, and user accounts. The attack surface represents the exposure of the environment to potential threats and attacks. A vulnerability is an exploitable weakness in a system or its design that can allow an attacker to compromise the system or its data. A vulnerability is a subset of the attack surface, as not all paths for data are vulnerable. References: [Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) - Module 1: Security Concepts]

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

 In the context of public key infrastructure (PKI), a trusted certificate authority (CA) is responsible for issuing digital certificates that verify a digital entity’s identity on the internet. The CA acts as a trusted third party between the user (in this case, tom0411976943) and the recipient (dan1968754032), ensuring that the public keys are indeed who they claim to be. The CA verifies the identity of the users and then issues a certificate containing the public key and a variety of other identification information. The trusted CA can then vouch for the authenticity of each user to the other.

Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS)

Full packet capture data involves storing the entire content of packets that traverse a network. This type of data is comprehensive and allows for detailed analysis but requires a significant amount of storage space compared to other data types like transaction, statistical, or session data. References := Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals - Module 3: Network Data and Event Analysis

 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

 Scareware is a type of malware attack that tricks users into believing their computer is infected with a virus, prompting them to download and pay for fake antivirus software. The attack often uses popup windows with flashing colors (D) to create a sense of urgency and scare the user into taking immediate action.

Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate certification materials

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

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.

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 Delivery phase of the Cyber Kill Chain is the stage where an attacker transmits a malicious payload to the target. In phishing attacks, this typically occurs through email messages containing malicious links or attachments sent to intended victims.

In this scenario, the phishing emails were identified and blocked by the organization’s email antivirus solution before they reached users or were interacted with. This indicates that the attack was mitigated during the delivery phase, as the malicious content was stopped in transit and never executed on the target systems.

Weaponization refers to the creation of malicious payloads, which occurs before delivery. Command and Control involves establishing remote communication with compromised systems, which requires successful execution. Actions on Objectives represent the final stage where attackers achieve their goals, such as data theft or account compromise.

Cybersecurity operations fundamentals emphasize that email security controls are designed to disrupt attacks as early as possible in the kill chain. Blocking phishing emails at delivery significantly reduces risk and prevents downstream compromise.

Therefore, the correct answer is Delivery.

Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), an email address that can be linked to an individual is classified as personal data, regardless of whether it contains a real name. The regulation grants individuals the right to erasure, also known as the “right to be forgotten,” when they request deletion of their personal data and no lawful basis for retention exists.

Because the company is based in Europe, GDPR applies to its data processing activities. Additionally, GDPR protections extend not only to EU citizens but also to any individual whose data is processed by an EU-based organization, depending on context. Therefore, deletion should not be conditional on the customer’s geographic location.

Option A is incorrect because email addresses are considered personal data under GDPR. Option C is incomplete and misleading because GDPR obligations are not limited only to confirmed EU residents in this scenario. Option D may be appropriate if systemic noncompliance is identified, but the immediate and correct action is to honor the deletion request.

Cybersecurity and compliance documentation emphasizes minimizing data retention and responding promptly to data subject requests. As no lawful justification for retaining the email exists, it must be deleted.

Therefore, the correct action is to delete the data regardless of where the customer is from.

Inline traffic interrogation analyzes traffic in real time and has the ability to prevent certain traffic from being forwarded Traffic mirroring doesn't pass the live traffic instead it copies traffic from one or more source ports and sends the copied traffic to one or more destinations for analysis by a network analyzer or other monitoring device

The “ps” command is used to display information about the processes running on a system. The “-ef” option shows the full format listing, which includes the process ID, the user, the CPU and memory usage, the command name, and other details. This can help the engineer identify which processes are consuming the most resources and causing the degraded performance of the server. The other options are either invalid or irrelevant, as they do not provide the necessary information or perform the required action. References := Cisco Cybersecurity

A threat is a possible danger that might exploit a vulnerability to breach the security and cause harm to an asset. An asset is anything of value that needs to be protected, such as data, systems, or networks. A vulnerability is a weakness or flaw in the security that can beexploited by a threat. An exploit is a piece of code or a technique that takes advantage of a vulnerability to compromise the security and perform malicious actions on an asset. References := Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals, Module 1: Security Concepts, Lesson 1.1: The CIA Triad and Security Concepts, Topic 1.1.3: Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Exploits

Symmetric encryption is a type of encryption that uses the same key to encrypt and decrypt data. Asymmetric encryption is a type of encryption that uses a pair of keys: a public key and a private key. The public key can be used to encrypt data, but only the private key can decrypt it, and vice versa. An advantage of symmetric encryption over asymmetric encryption is that it is faster and more efficient for encrypting large amounts of data, such as in sessions or bulk transfers. Asymmetric encryption is slower and more computationally intensive, but it is more secure and suitable for key exchange or digital signatures. References := Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals, Module 2: Security Monitoring, Lesson 2.3: Cryptography and PKI, Topic 2.3.1: Cryptography

 Secure boot and restricting USB ports are two components that can reduce the attack surface on an endpoint. The attack surface is the sum of all paths for data into and out of the environment. Reducing the attack surface means minimizing the number and complexity of these paths, and thus reducing the opportunities for attackers to exploit vulnerabilities or gain unauthorized access. Secure boot is a feature that ensures that only trusted and verified code can run during the boot process, preventing malware or unauthorized software from compromising the system. Restricting USB ports is a policy that limits the use of USB devices, such as flash drives or external hard drives, that can introduce malware or exfiltrate data from the endpoint.

[Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) - Module 4: Network Intrusion Analysis], [Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) - Module 5: Security Policies and Procedures]

A sandbox is a technology on a host that is used to isolate a running application from other applications. A sandbox creates a controlled and restricted environment for the application to execute, limiting its access to system resources and data. A sandbox can prevent the application from spreading malware, stealing information, or causing damage to the host or the network. A sandbox can also be used to test and analyze the behavior of unknown or suspicious applications without risking the security of the host. Application allow list, application block list, and host-based firewall are other technologies on a host that can be used to control or restrict the execution of applications, but they do not isolate them from other applications. References:

How can I best isolate a particular program (game)

App isolation in Windows 10

Types of Endpoint Application Isolation and Containment Technology

The analyst is in the detection and analysis phase of the incident response process according to NIST SP800-61. In this phase, events are detected and analyzed to determine whether they constitute incidents that require a response. It involves monitoring security events or data collection, correlation, and analysis of log entries and network flow data, among others. The goal is to identify incidents quickly so that appropriate actions can be taken. References := NIST SP800-61, Computer Security Incident Handling Guide, Section 3.2: Detection and Analysis

During the examination phase of the forensic process, digital forensic investigators use various tools and techniques to extract and analyze information from the collected data. This phase involves detailed scrutiny of the data to uncover relevant evidence and is critical for the success of the forensic investigation.

The explanation aligns with the standard phases of digital forensics, which include identification, preservation, examination, documentation, and presentation as outlined in digital forensics literature and guidelines.

 A TCP handshake is a three-way exchange of messages between a client and a server to establish a TCP connection. The client initiates the handshake by sending a SYN packet with a sequence number to the server. The server responds with a SYN-ACK packet with its own sequence number and an acknowledgment number that is the client’s sequence number plus one. The client completes the handshake by sending an ACK packet with an acknowledgment number that is the server’s sequence number plus one. If the remote server is not receiving an SYN-ACK packet from the local server, it means that the TCP handshake is not completed and the connection is not established. This could be causedby various factors, such as network congestion, firewall rules, packet filtering, or misconfiguration of the TCP parameters on either end. References := Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) - Cisco, page 177; TCP 3-Way Handshake Process - GeeksforGeeks

A certificate authority (CA) is a trusted entity that issues and manages digital certificates for secure communication over the internet. A digital certificate is a document that contains the public key and the identity of the owner of the key. A CA impacts security by validating the domain identity of the SSL certificate, which is a type of digital certificatethat enables encrypted communication between a web server and a web browser. The CA verifies that the domain name in the certificate matches the domain name of the web server, and signs the certificate with its own private key. The web browser can then verify the signature of the CA and trust the identity of the web server. References := Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals, Module 2: Security Monitoring, Lesson 2.3: Cryptography and PKI, Topic 2.3.2: Public Key InfrastructureReference:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Certificate_authority

 Event Code 4625 in Windows logs indicates a failed logon attempt. This could be a sign of someone trying to guess the credentials of a valid user account by repeatedly trying different passwords or usernames. This is known as a brute force attack and can be used to gain unauthorized access to a system or network. References: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/security/ise/2-4/admin_guide/b_ise_admin_guide_24/b_ise_admin_guide_24_new_chapter_01110.html

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

 Full packet capture provides the complete recording of all the packets that are transmitted over the network. This data is essential for in-depth analysis during an investigation, as it allows investigators to reconstruct the session, observe the content of the traffic, and determine if data exfiltration has occurred.

Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) study materials would typically cover the importance of full packet capture in network forensics and incident response.

The defense-in-depth strategy is a layered approach to security that includes multiple defensive measures to protect against threats. Dividing the network into parts (B) helps isolate potential breaches, making it harder for an attacker to move laterally across the network. Implementing the patch management process (E) ensures that systems are up-to-date with the latest security patches, reducing vulnerabilities that attackers could exploit.

Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) course