CySA+ Practice Questions: Security Operations Domain

Published: August 19, 2025 | 10 min read

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

CySA+ 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 CySA+ certification exam with detailed explanations to reinforce your learning.

Question 1

During a routine vulnerability assessment, a security analyst discovers that a critical server is missing a recent security patch. What should the analyst do next?

A) Immediately apply the patch to the server.

B) Verify the patch applicability and test it in a staging environment.

C) Document the finding and schedule a patch window.

D) Ignore the finding as it might be a false positive.

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: Before applying a patch, especially to a critical server, it's crucial to verify its applicability and test it in a staging environment to ensure it doesn't cause issues. Immediately applying the patch (option A) could lead to unintended downtime or compatibility issues. Scheduling a patch window (option C) is part of the process but should follow testing. Ignoring the finding (option D) is not advisable as it leaves the server vulnerable.

Question 2

A security analyst is working with a SIEM platform and notices a sudden increase in outbound traffic to an unknown IP address from multiple internal hosts. What should be the analyst's first step in investigating this potential security incident?

A) Block the IP address at the firewall to prevent further communication.

B) Perform a reverse DNS lookup to identify the domain associated with the IP address.

C) Check the internal hosts for signs of compromise, such as unusual processes or services.

D) Notify the incident response team to prepare for a potential breach.

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: The first step should be to check the internal hosts for signs of compromise. This will help confirm whether the activity is malicious or benign. Blocking the IP address immediately (Option A) could disrupt legitimate traffic if the activity is not harmful. Performing a reverse DNS lookup (Option B) is useful but not as immediate a priority as checking for compromise. Notifying the incident response team (Option D) is important, but verifying the compromise first provides more context.

Question 3

A security analyst receives a report of unusual activity on a server. Upon investigation, the analyst finds a new unauthorized user account with administrative privileges. What should the analyst do first?

A) Delete the unauthorized user account immediately.

B) Disable the account and investigate how it was created.

C) Change the server's administrative passwords.

D) Notify the IT department to monitor the server closely.

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: Disabling the account and investigating how it was created is the best initial action. This prevents further unauthorized access while preserving evidence for investigation. Deleting the account could hinder the investigation, and changing passwords or notifying IT without further action does not address the immediate risk.

Question 4

A security analyst is simulating an attack to test the organization's SIEM detection capabilities. Which type of attack simulation would best test the SIEM's ability to detect lateral movement within the network?

A) Phishing attack simulation

B) Brute force attack on external services

C) Pass-the-hash attack simulation

D) Distributed denial-of-service attack

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: A pass-the-hash attack simulation is effective for testing a SIEM's ability to detect lateral movement, as it involves using stolen credentials to move across systems. Phishing attacks (option A) target user credentials and are not focused on lateral movement. Brute force attacks (option B) target external services and do not test lateral movement. DDoS attacks (option D) focus on service availability, not internal movement.

Question 5

During a routine vulnerability assessment, a security analyst identifies a critical vulnerability on a web server that is publicly accessible. What is the most appropriate immediate action to mitigate this risk?

A) Apply the latest security patches to the web server.

B) Block all incoming traffic to the server until the vulnerability is resolved.

C) Disable the vulnerable service on the web server.

D) Notify the server administrator and document the vulnerability for future reference.

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: A

Explanation: Applying the latest security patches (Option A) is the most appropriate immediate action to mitigate the vulnerability if a patch is available. Blocking all traffic (Option B) could disrupt legitimate services and is not sustainable. Disabling the service (Option C) might not be feasible if the service is critical. Notifying the administrator and documenting the issue (Option D) are important but do not directly mitigate the risk.

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About CySA+ Certification

The CySA+ 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.