Free CISSP Security Operations Practice Test 2026 — Certified Information Systems Security Professional Questions

This free CISSP Security Operations practice test covers Domain 7 — security operations, covering incident response, forensics, monitoring, disaster recovery, and operational security. Each question includes a detailed explanation grounded in the official ISC2 CBK — perfect for CISSP exam prep.

Key Topics in CISSP Security Operations

6 Free CISSP Security Operations Practice Questions with Answers

Sample Question 1 — Security Operations

Your organization experiences a significant increase in phishing attempts targeting employees. Your current Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system is struggling to keep up, resulting in delayed incident response. How should you prioritize addressing this?

  1. A. Immediately purchase and implement a new, more powerful SIEM system.
  2. B. Conduct a thorough risk assessment to determine the potential impact of successful phishing attacks and prioritize mitigation efforts based on risk. (Correct answer)
  3. C. Increase employee security awareness training to reduce the likelihood of successful phishing attacks.
  4. D. Block all external emails until a new SIEM system is in place.

Correct answer: B

Explanation: While options A and C are important, they don't address the immediate need. Option D is too disruptive and may cause operational issues. A risk assessment allows for a prioritized, strategic response based on the potential impact and likelihood of successful attacks, ensuring resources are allocated effectively. This aligns with a risk-based approach, a core tenet of CISSP principles.

Sample Question 2 — Security Operations

A recent audit reveals significant vulnerabilities in your organization's endpoint security posture. Your budget is limited. Which approach is most strategic?

  1. A. Immediately replace all endpoints with new hardware and software.
  2. B. Implement a comprehensive vulnerability management program focusing on critical systems first. (Correct answer)
  3. C. Conduct a penetration test to identify exploitable vulnerabilities before addressing them.
  4. D. Outsource all endpoint management to a third-party provider.

Correct answer: B

Explanation: Replacing all endpoints (A) is costly and disruptive. A penetration test (C) is valuable but should follow vulnerability identification and prioritization. Outsourcing (D) might not be cost-effective or solve underlying issues. Prioritizing vulnerabilities based on risk (B) aligns with a risk-based approach and allows for effective resource allocation, addressing the most critical vulnerabilities first within budget limitations.

Sample Question 3 — Security Operations

Your organization is experiencing a series of denial-of-service (DoS) attacks. Your existing security measures are failing to adequately mitigate them. What is the BEST first step?

  1. A. Implement a new firewall with advanced DoS protection features.
  2. B. Engage a DDoS mitigation service provider.
  3. C. Analyze the attack traffic to understand its origin and characteristics. (Correct answer)
  4. D. Immediately shut down all non-essential services.

Correct answer: C

Explanation: Options A, B, and D are all reactive measures. Before investing in new technology or implementing drastic measures, understanding the attack (C) is crucial for determining the best mitigation strategy. This analysis informs decisions about whether a DDoS mitigation service (B) is necessary, what firewall rules (A) to adjust, or if other actions are more appropriate. This approach is both efficient and effective.

Sample Question 4 — Security Operations

Your organization is mandated to comply with GDPR. Which security operational control is MOST critical in achieving compliance?

  1. A. Implementing multi-factor authentication for all users.
  2. B. Regularly backing up all data.
  3. C. Establishing a robust data breach incident response plan. (Correct answer)
  4. D. Implementing a comprehensive data loss prevention (DLP) program.

Correct answer: C

Explanation: While A, B, and D are all important security controls, GDPR heavily emphasizes data breach notification and response. A robust incident response plan (C) is critical for timely notification of authorities and affected individuals, meeting GDPR's stringent requirements regarding data breaches. This demonstrates proactive compliance.

Sample Question 5 — Security Operations

You suspect an insider threat is compromising sensitive data. What is the MOST appropriate initial response?

  1. A. Immediately terminate the suspected employee.
  2. B. Conduct a full forensic investigation of the employee's workstation.
  3. C. Secretly monitor the employee's activities.
  4. D. Initiate a discreet investigation to gather evidence before taking action. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: D

Explanation: Options A and C are potentially damaging and premature. A full forensic investigation (B) might be needed but should be based on gathered evidence. A discreet investigation (D) is the most appropriate first step, allowing for the collection of evidence and the assessment of the situation before potentially drastic actions are taken, minimizing disruption and preserving legal defensibility.

Sample Question 6 — Security Operations

Your organization is experiencing a high volume of security alerts from your SIEM system, many of which are false positives. How should you best address this?

  1. A. Disable the SIEM system until the false positives are resolved.
  2. B. Reduce the sensitivity of the SIEM system's alert thresholds.
  3. C. Invest in a more advanced SIEM system.
  4. D. Tune the SIEM system's rules and filters to reduce false positives. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: D

Explanation: Disabling the SIEM (A) is unacceptable. Reducing sensitivity (B) risks missing actual threats. A new system (C) is a costly long-term solution. Tuning rules and filters (D) is the most effective way to improve the signal-to-noise ratio, focusing resources on actual threats, and making the SIEM more efficient.

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