GCTI Practice Questions: Application & Reporting Domain

Published: October 27, 2025 | 20 min read

Test your GCTI knowledge with 10 practice questions from the Application & Reporting domain. Includes detailed explanations and answers.

GCTI Practice Questions

Master the Application & Reporting Domain

Test your knowledge in the Application & Reporting domain with these 10 practice questions. Each question is designed to help you prepare for the GCTI certification exam with detailed explanations to reinforce your learning.

Question 1

An intelligence analyst is preparing a tactical report on a phishing campaign targeting financial institutions. The report needs to be shared with the organization's incident response team. Which format and dissemination method would be most appropriate for this type of report?

A) A detailed PDF document sent via email.

B) A STIX/TAXII feed integrated into the SIEM system.

C) A PowerPoint presentation shared during a team meeting.

D) A printed report delivered to each team member.

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: Tactical reports are often shared in formats that can be directly ingested by security tools for immediate action. STIX/TAXII feeds are designed for automated sharing of threat intelligence and are suitable for integration with SIEM systems, making option B the best choice. Options A, C, and D are less efficient for rapid dissemination and action.

Question 2

During a CTI briefing, an analyst needs to present complex data about an ongoing threat campaign to a mixed audience. What is the best strategy to ensure clarity and engagement?

A) Focus on technical jargon to maintain accuracy.

B) Use storytelling techniques to contextualize the data.

C) Provide a detailed slide deck with comprehensive data.

D) Limit the presentation to high-level summaries only.

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: Using storytelling techniques to contextualize the data helps engage a mixed audience by making complex information more relatable and easier to understand. This approach balances technical accuracy with accessibility. Focusing solely on jargon or high-level summaries might alienate parts of the audience, while a comprehensive slide deck could overwhelm them.

Question 3

After analyzing a series of cyber incidents, the CTI team is preparing a report for senior management. What is the most critical component to include to help them make informed strategic decisions?

A) A list of all technical indicators from the incidents.

B) An executive summary of the incidents' impact on business operations.

C) Detailed technical descriptions of each incident.

D) A chronological timeline of the incidents.

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: An executive summary of the incidents' impact on business operations is critical for senior management to understand the strategic implications and make informed decisions. Option A and C are too technical, and D provides context but lacks strategic insight.

Question 4

A threat intelligence report you prepared includes details about a threat actor's TTPs, infrastructure, and potential targets. Your client is an energy company concerned about operational disruptions. What key element should you include in the report to address their specific concerns?

A) A list of known vulnerabilities in the energy sector.

B) A detailed technical analysis of the threat actor's malware.

C) A risk assessment specifically focused on the energy sector's operational risks.

D) A summary of recent attacks on other sectors.

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: Option C is correct because a risk assessment focused on operational risks in the energy sector directly addresses the client's concerns about disruptions. Option A provides relevant information but lacks specific operational context. Option B is too technical and not directly aligned with operational disruption concerns. Option D does not focus on the energy sector and may not be relevant.

Question 5

Which of the following best describes the purpose of using the STIX format in threat intelligence reporting?

A) To encrypt threat intelligence data for secure transmission.

B) To standardize the representation of threat information for sharing.

C) To provide a user-friendly interface for threat data analysis.

D) To automate the collection of threat intelligence from various sources.

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: STIX is used to standardize the representation of threat information for sharing (B), enabling consistent and interoperable communication between different systems and organizations. It is not specifically for encryption (A), user interface design (C), or data collection automation (D).

Question 6

When drafting a CTI report intended for dissemination through an ISAC, what is a critical consideration to ensure effective sharing and utility of the report?

A) Including only high-level summaries to avoid overwhelming recipients.

B) Ensuring the report is formatted according to the ISAC’s guidelines and includes actionable intelligence.

C) Focusing primarily on the technical details and indicators.

D) Using proprietary formats for data to maintain control over the information.

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: When sharing intelligence through an ISAC, it is crucial to follow the ISAC's guidelines for format and content to ensure the information is actionable and useful to recipients. Option B is correct because it ensures compliance with sharing protocols and maximizes the utility of the intelligence. Options A, C, and D do not adequately address the need for standardization and actionable content.

Question 7

An organization is planning to disseminate a CTI report that includes sensitive threat intelligence data to its partners. Which dissemination method should be used to ensure secure and controlled sharing?

A) Emailing the report as an attachment to all partners.

B) Posting the report on a public-facing website for easy access.

C) Using a secure threat intelligence sharing platform with access controls.

D) Printing and mailing physical copies to each partner.

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: Using a secure threat intelligence sharing platform with access controls ensures that sensitive data is shared securely and access is controlled, which is critical for maintaining confidentiality and integrity. Option C is correct because it aligns with best practices for secure dissemination. Option A is insecure, Option B exposes the data to the public, and Option D is inefficient and lacks security controls.

Question 8

When presenting a CTI report to a technical audience, which element is most critical to include for ensuring the report's utility?

A) A detailed analysis of the geopolitical context of the threat actor.

B) A comprehensive list of IOCs with contextual information.

C) A high-level summary of the threat landscape.

D) A section on potential future threat actor activities.

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: For a technical audience, a comprehensive list of IOCs with contextual information (B) is critical, as it provides actionable data needed for immediate defensive measures. Geopolitical context (A) and future activities (D) are more relevant to strategic discussions. A high-level summary (C) lacks the depth required for technical analysis.

Question 9

A cybersecurity analyst at a financial institution is tasked with creating a strategic intelligence report on a newly discovered threat actor targeting the banking sector. The report needs to be shared with C-suite executives and must provide a comprehensive overview of the potential impact on the organization. Which of the following elements is most critical to include in this strategic report?

A) A detailed list of IP addresses used by the threat actor.

B) An analysis of the threat actor’s motivations and potential impact on the organization.

C) A technical breakdown of the malware used by the threat actor.

D) A summary of recent incidents involving the threat actor.

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: Strategic reports are designed to inform decision-makers about the broader implications of a threat. Analyzing the threat actor’s motivations and potential impact provides executives with the necessary context to make informed decisions. While details like IP addresses and technical breakdowns are important, they are more suited for tactical or operational reports.

Question 10

During a CTI briefing, an analyst presents a tactical report on a recent phishing campaign targeting healthcare organizations. The report includes detailed indicators of compromise (IOCs) and recommended immediate actions. What is the primary purpose of this type of report?

A) To provide a high-level overview of the threat landscape for executives.

B) To facilitate immediate defensive actions by security operations teams.

C) To inform long-term strategic planning and risk assessment.

D) To engage with external partners for threat intelligence sharing.

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: Tactical reports are intended to provide actionable intelligence that can be used for immediate defensive measures. Option B is correct because it focuses on enabling security operations teams to quickly respond to and mitigate threats. Option A is more aligned with strategic reporting. Option C involves strategic planning, while Option D pertains to intelligence sharing, neither of which are the primary focus of tactical reports.

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About GCTI Certification

The GCTI certification validates your expertise in application & reporting 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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