| Question. 1 Which event is user interaction? A. gaining root access B. executing remote code C. reading and writing file permission D. opening a malicious file |
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Answer:
D
Explanation:
The correct answer is D. opening a malicious file. User interaction, in the context of security events, refers to actions directly initiated by a human user. Let’s analyze why other options are not primary user interactions. Gaining root access (A) is a privilege escalation, often achieved through exploiting system vulnerabilities. While a user may attempt this, the act of gaining root itself is typically a consequence of exploitation, not a direct user activity. Executing remote code (B) usually involves exploiting a system weakness to run malicious commands; again, a secondary effect rather than direct user input. Reading and writing file permissions (C) is an action concerning system access rights; while a user may request such changes, the action itself is a system operation. Opening a malicious file (D), however, is a direct and intentional action taken by the user. The user actively clicks, double-clicks, or otherwise initiates the process of opening the file. This makes it the most definitive example of user interaction from the options provided. It is the act of initiating the file execution that represents the user’s direct involvement. A user might do this knowingly or unknowingly, but the crucial aspect is that the user is the driving force behind the initial event. This is different from the other options which are more likely consequences of vulnerabilities or other processes.
Supporting Concepts:
- User Action: The concept of user interaction in security refers specifically to actions triggered directly by human users.
- Attack Vectors: Options A, B, and C are often results of successful attacks exploiting system vulnerabilities rather than direct user interaction.
- Human Element: Cybersecurity focuses significantly on the human element, and understanding how users interact with systems is vital for effective security.
Authoritative Links:
- NIST Special Publication 800-63-3 Digital Identity Guidelines: https://pages.nist.gov/800-63-3/ (Covers digital identity and authentication, highlighting the role of user actions)
- OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project): https://owasp.org/ (Provides information on common web application vulnerabilities, which often involve user interactions as part of the attack vector)
| Question. 2 Which security principle requires more than one person is required to perform a critical task? A. least privilege B. need to know C. separation of duties D. due diligence |
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Answer:
C
Explanation:
The correct answer is C. separation of duties. Separation of duties is a security principle that aims to prevent fraud and errors by dividing critical tasks among multiple individuals. This ensures that no single person has enough power or control to compromise a system or process. Requiring multiple people to perform a sensitive operation creates a system of checks and balances, making it more difficult for malicious actors to act unilaterally.
Let’s examine why other options are incorrect:
- A. Least privilege: This principle focuses on granting users only the minimum access rights necessary to perform their job functions, reducing the potential damage from compromised accounts. It doesn’t directly address the need for multiple individuals to complete a single task.
- B. Need to know: This principle restricts access to information only to those who require it for their roles. While important, it doesn’t address the collaborative aspect of critical tasks.
- D. Due diligence: Due diligence is a broad concept that involves the thorough investigation and reasonable care taken to avoid harm or loss. It is more of a process than a specific security principle related to multiple individuals involved in one task.
In summary, separation of duties is the principle specifically designed to address the risk of single points of failure by distributing responsibility, requiring collaboration to complete critical tasks. This strengthens security by making malicious actions more complex to execute.
Authoritative Links for further research:
NIST: https://csrc.nist.gov/glossary/term/separation_of_duties
| Question. 3 How is attacking a vulnerability categorized? A. action on objectives B. delivery C. exploitation D. installation |
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Answer:
C
Explanation:
The correct answer is C. exploitation. Exploitation, in the context of cybersecurity, refers to the act of taking advantage of a known vulnerability in a system or application. This is a critical phase in the cyber kill chain where attackers leverage flaws to gain unauthorized access, execute malicious code, or cause damage. Attacking a vulnerability directly corresponds to using that vulnerability’s weakness to achieve a malicious goal, making it unequivocally an act of exploitation.
Option A, “action on objectives,” comes later in the kill chain; it’s what happens after the attacker has gained access. Option B, “delivery,” refers to the method of getting malicious code or payloads into a system. Option D, “installation,” is a subsequent stage where the malicious components are placed for continued access or execution. Thus, only option C accurately reflects the process of directly targeting and using a vulnerability. Exploitation is a core concept in cybersecurity, signifying the active breach phase. It involves techniques that use vulnerabilities, such as buffer overflows, SQL injection, or cross-site scripting, to achieve an attacker’s goal.
For further research, refer to the following authoritative resources:
SANS Institute: https://www.sans.org/ (Search for articles relating to vulnerability exploitation).
NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) Special Publication 800-16: https://csrc.nist.gov/publications/detail/sp/800-16/final (Specifically look into vulnerability management definitions.)
OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project): https://owasp.org/ (See their section on exploitation and attacks.)
| Question. 4 What is a benefit of agent-based protection when compared to agentless protection? A. It lowers maintenance costs B. It provides a centralized platform C. It collects and detects all traffic locally D. It manages numerous devices simultaneously |
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Answer:
B
Explanation:
The correct answer is B. It provides a centralized platform. Agent-based protection often involves deploying software agents on each endpoint, providing granular visibility and control. These agents communicate with a central management platform, enabling administrators to monitor, configure, and respond to security events across the entire infrastructure from a single location. This centralized approach simplifies security management, improves threat detection capabilities, and ensures consistent policy enforcement. In contrast, agentless solutions typically rely on network monitoring or API interactions, which may lack the detailed endpoint context provided by agents and can be less effective at detecting certain types of threats. While agentless systems might reduce initial deployment and management overhead, they often sacrifice the deeper insights and real-time monitoring afforded by agents. The centralized platform benefit highlights the key advantage of agent-based systems in providing an integrated security management and monitoring experience. This advantage contributes to better security posture visibility and enables prompt incident response by providing a holistic view of security alerts across the entire environment.
Authoritative Link:
Gartner’s Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) guide: While not directly about agent-based vs agentless, SIEM solutions often leverage agents for better endpoint data collection and analysis, showcasing the importance of centralized platforms for security management. https://www.gartner.com/en/information-technology/glossary/security-information-and-event-management-siem
| Question. 5 Which principle is being followed when an analyst gathers information relevant to a security incident to determine the appropriate course of action? A. decision making B. rapid response C. data mining D. due diligence |
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Answer:
A
Explanation:
The correct answer is A. decision making. The scenario describes a security analyst gathering information to inform their actions in response to an incident. This directly relates to the principle of decision-making in cybersecurity. Decision-making involves evaluating available data, analyzing risks, and choosing the most appropriate course of action from a range of options. It is not simply about rapidly reacting (rapid response), nor is it solely about uncovering hidden patterns in large datasets (data mining). While due diligence is crucial, it is a broader concept encompassing preventative measures and adhering to established procedures, not the specific act of gathering information to inform an immediate response. In the given context, gathering information is the initial phase of the decision-making process where the analyst gathers details to help make the right call. The analyst uses the collected information to understand the incident fully and thereby enable the next phase: to make a decision. The most accurate representation is that they are in the decision-making process.https://www.nist.gov/itl/applied-cybersecurity/nist-cybersecurity-framework/identifyhttps://www.sans.org/reading-room/whitepapers/incident/incident-response-decision-making-37752