CISSP Practice Questions: Security Operations Domain

Published: June 9, 2025 | 5 min read

Test your CISSP knowledge with 5 practice questions from the Security Operations domain. Includes detailed explanations and answers.

CISSP Practice Questions

Master the Security Operations Domain

Test your knowledge in the Security Operations domain with these 5 practice questions. Each question is designed to help you prepare for the CISSP certification exam with detailed explanations to reinforce your learning.

Question 1

A company has implemented a Security Operations Center (SOC) to monitor its network. Which key performance indicator (KPI) would be most effective in measuring the SOC's ability to respond to incidents?

A) Number of incidents detected per month.

B) Average time to detect an incident.

C) Average time to resolve an incident.

D) Number of false positives per month.

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: CORRECT: The average time to resolve an incident (MTTR) is a direct measure of the SOC's effectiveness in handling and mitigating incidents. OPTION A: The number of incidents detected does not measure resolution capability. OPTION B: Detection time is important but does not reflect response and resolution effectiveness. OPTION C: MTTR indicates how quickly the SOC can return systems to normal operation. OPTION D: False positives are important to track but do not measure incident response capabilities.

Question 2

A company is using a third-party cloud service for data storage. Which of the following is the best approach to ensure data security in this environment?

A) Rely on the cloud provider's security measures exclusively.

B) Implement client-side encryption before data is uploaded.

C) Use the same passwords for cloud access and internal systems.

D) Conduct quarterly audits of the cloud provider's infrastructure.

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: CORRECT: Client-side encryption ensures that data is protected before it leaves the company's control. OPTION A: Relying solely on the provider's security measures is risky. OPTION B: This is the correct answer. OPTION C: Using the same passwords increases the risk of compromise. OPTION D: Audits are important but do not directly secure the data.

Question 3

In the context of security operations, what is the primary purpose of a Security Operations Center (SOC)?

A) To develop security policies and procedures.

B) To monitor, detect, and respond to security incidents.

C) To manage user access and authentication.

D) To perform vulnerability assessments and penetration testing.

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: A SOC's main function is to monitor, detect, and respond to security incidents in real-time. Option A is typically a governance function. Option C is handled by identity and access management. Option D is part of security assessment and testing, not the SOC's primary role.

Question 4

Your organization is undergoing a significant system upgrade. How should you ensure the security of the new systems?

A) Implement the new systems immediately after testing.

B) Conduct a thorough security assessment of the new systems before deployment.

C) Rely on the vendor's security claims about the new systems.

D) Deploy the systems to a small group of users for testing purposes.

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: Immediate deployment (A) is risky. Relying on vendor claims (C) isn't sufficient. Small-group testing (D) is a good final step, but insufficient for thorough security vetting. A security assessment (B) before deployment identifies and mitigates potential vulnerabilities, ensuring a secure transition.

Question 5

A company has experienced a ransomware attack. What should be the immediate focus of the security team to minimize damage?

A) Pay the ransom to quickly regain access to data.

B) Isolate infected systems from the network.

C) Update antivirus software across all systems.

D) Conduct a full forensic investigation.

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: Isolating infected systems helps prevent the spread of ransomware to other parts of the network. Option A is not recommended as it encourages future attacks. Option C is preventive but not an immediate response. Option D is important but should follow containment actions.

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About CISSP Certification

The CISSP certification validates your expertise in security operations and other critical domains. Our comprehensive practice questions are carefully crafted to mirror the actual exam experience and help you identify knowledge gaps before test day.

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