CPTIA CREST Practitioner Threat Intelligence Analyst Free Practice Exam Questions (2025 Updated)

Behavioral analysis is a technique used to detect insider threats by analyzing the behavior of employees, both individually and in group settings, to identify any actions that deviate from the norm. This method relies on monitoring and analyzing data related to user activities, access patterns, and other behaviors that could indicate malicious intent or a potential security risk from within the organization. Behavioral analysis can detect unusual access to sensitive data, abnormal data transfer activities, and other indicators of insider threats. This approach is proactive and can help in identifying potential insider threats before they result in significant harm to the organization.References:The Incident Handler (CREST CPTIA) certification materials cover various insider threat detection techniques, including the importance of behavioral analysis as a key method for identifying potential security risks posed by insiders.

When a corporate network's servers are sending huge amounts of traffic to a specific website, as detected by the network's Intrusion Prevention System (IPS), this behavior is indicative of a Botnet attack. A Botnet is a network of compromised computers, often referred to as "bots," that are controlled remotely by an attacker, typically without the knowledge of the owners of the computers. The attacker can command these bots to execute distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, send spam, or conduct other malicious activities. In this scenario, the servers behaving as bots and targeting a website with large volumes of traffic suggests that they have been co-opted into a Botnet to potentially perform a DDoS attack on the website abc.xyz.References:Incident Handler (CREST CPTIA) courses and study guides discuss various types of cyber threats and attack vectors, including Botnets and their role in distributed cyber attacks.

By assessing the Threat Intelligence (TI) program through a comparison of project results with the original objectives, and by ensuring that all expected deliverables have been produced to an acceptable quality level, Joe is conducting a gap analysis. Gap analysis involves identifying the difference between the current state and the desired state or objectives, in this case, the outcomes of the TI program versus its intended goals as outlined in the project charter. This process allows for the assessment of what was successful, what fell short, and where improvements can be made, thereby evaluating the program's overall effectiveness and identifying areas for future enhancement.References:

"Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK)" by the Project Management Institute

"Intelligence Analysis: A Target-Centric Approach" by Robert M. Clark

Evidence assessment is a critical step in the investigation phase of the computer forensics process. This step involves evaluating the evidence collected to determine its relevance and significance to the case at hand. It includes analyzing the secured data to identify what information can be used as evidence, its integrity, and how it can be related to the security incident. This phase is pivotal as it helps in building a coherent understanding of the incident and in establishing facts that can be presented in management reports or legal proceedings.

References:The Certified Incident Handler (CREST CPTIA) by EC-Council includes a comprehensive discussion on the computer forensics investigation process, detailing steps from securing evidence to analyzing and assessing it within the context of an investigation.

The guideline that helps incident handlers to eradicate insider attacks by privileged users is to ensure accountability by not enabling default administrative accounts. Instead, organizations should require administrators and privileged users to use individual accounts that can be audited and traced back to specific actions and users. This practice enhances security by ensuring that all actions taken on the system can be attributed to individual users, reducing the risk of misuse of privileges and making it easier to identify the source of malicious activities or policy violations. The other options listed either present insecure practices or misunderstandings of security protocols that would not help in eradicating insider attacks.References:The CREST materials discuss strategies for managing and mitigating the risks associated with privileged users, including the importance of accountability and the controlled use of administrative privileges to prevent insider threats.

The GPG18 and Forensic readiness planning (SPF) principles outline various guidelines to enhance an organization's readiness for forensic investigation and response. Principle 5, which suggests that organizations should adopt a scenario-based Forensic Readiness Planning approach that learns from experience gained within the business, emphasizes the importance of being prepared for a wide range of potential incidents by leveraging lessons learned from past experiences. This approach helps in continuously improving forensic readiness and response capabilities by adapting to the evolving threat landscape and organizational changes.

References:While specific documentation from GPG18 and SPF might detail these principles, the CREST CPTIA program by EC-Council covers the concept of forensic readiness planning, including adopting scenario-based approaches and learning from past incidents as a fundamental aspect of enhancing an organization's incident response and forensic capabilities.

The correct sequence for scheduling a threat intelligence program involves starting with the foundational steps of defining the project scope and objectives, followed by detailed planning and scheduling of tasks. The sequence starts with reviewing the project charter (1) to understand the project's scope, objectives, and constraints. Next, building a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) (9) helps in organizing the team's work into manageable sections. Identifying all deliverables (2) clarifies the project's outcomes. Defining all activities (8) involves listing the tasks required to produce the deliverables. Identifying the sequence of activities (3) and estimating resources (7) and task dependencies (4) sets the groundwork for scheduling. Estimating the duration of each activity (6) is critical before developing the final schedule (5), which combines all these elements into a comprehensive plan. This approach ensures a structured and methodical progression from project initiation to execution.References:

"A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide)," Project Management Institute

"Cyber Intelligence-Driven Risk," by Intel471

The port scanning technique that involves resetting the TCP connection between the client and server abruptly before the completion of the three-way handshake, thereby leaving the connection half-open, is known as a Stealth scan (also referred to as a SYN scan). This technique allows the scanner to inquire about the status of a port without establishing a full TCP connection, making the scan less detectible to intrusion detection systems and less likely to be logged by the target. It's a method used to discreetly discover open ports on a target machine without establishing a full connection that would be visible in logs.References:CREST materials often cover different types of network scanning techniques, including Stealth scans, explaining their methodologies, purposes, and how they can be detected or mitigated.

The responsibility of first responders does not include shutting down or rebooting the victim’s computer as a measure to preserve temporary and fragile evidence. In fact, such actions can potentially alter or destroy volatile data that could be crucial for the investigation. The primary responsibilities of first responders include protecting and identifying the crime scene, and ensuring the preservation of evidence in its original state as much as possible, which may involve isolating affected systems from the network but not necessarily shutting them down or rebooting them without proper forensic readiness and consideration.

Avoiding VPN (Virtual Private Network) and other secure network channels is not a countermeasure to eradicate inappropriate usage incidents. On the contrary, using VPNs and secure network channels is a best practice for enhancing security, as these technologies help protectdata in transit, ensuring that it is encrypted and less susceptible to interception or eavesdropping. Countermeasures for inappropriate usage typically involve enhancing security and monitoring, not reducing the security of communications.

Cloud Passage Halo is a security platform designed to provide comprehensive visibility and protection for cloud environments, making it an effective tool for incident responders dealing with potential cloud security incidents. It offers capabilities for detecting, responding to, and containing threats across public, private, and hybrid cloud environments. With features like automated security policies, compliance monitoring, and threat detection, Cloud Passage Halo enables incident responders to quickly contain incidents and gather the required forensic evidence to investigate the scope and impact of a breach or security issue. Tools like Alert Logic and Qualys Cloud Platform also provide security and compliance solutions for cloud environments, but Cloud Passage Halo is specifically recognized for its robust incident response and containment capabilities.References:The Incident Handler (CREST CPTIA) certification materials and courses discuss various tools and technologies that support cloud security incident response, including the role of platforms like Cloud Passage Halo in effective incident management.

Risk assessment is the risk management process that involves identifying risks, estimating their impact on the organization, and determining the sources of those risks to recommend appropriate mitigation measures. The goal of a risk assessment is to understand the nature of potential threats, vulnerabilities, and the consequences of those risks materializing, allowing an organization to make informed decisions about how to address them effectively. Risk assumption involves accepting the potential impact of a risk, risk mitigation focuses on reducing the likelihood or impact of risks, and risk avoidance involves taking actions to avoid the risk entirely.References:The CREST CPTIA course materials include discussions on risk management processes, outlining the importance of risk assessment in identifying and preparing for potential security threats.

The GPG18 and Forensic readiness planning (SPF) principles outline various guidelines to enhance an organization's readiness for forensic investigation and response. Principle 5, which suggests that organizations should adopt a scenario-based Forensic ReadinessPlanning approach that learns from experience gained within the business, emphasizes the importance of being prepared for a wide range of potential incidents by leveraging lessons learned from past experiences. This approach helps in continuously improving forensic readiness and response capabilities by adapting to the evolving threat landscape and organizational changes.

References:While specific documentation from GPG18 and SPF might detail these principles, the CREST CPTIA program by EC-Council covers the concept of forensic readiness planning, including adopting scenario-based approaches and learning from past incidents as a fundamental aspect of enhancing an organization's incident response and forensic capabilities.

In the risk assessment process, calculating the probability that a threat source will exploit an existing system vulnerability is known as likelihood analysis. This step involves evaluating how probable it is that the organization's vulnerabilities can be exploited by potential threats, considering various factors such as the nature of the vulnerability, the presence and capability of threat actors, and the effectiveness of current controls. Elizabeth's task of assessing the probability of exploitation is crucial for understanding the risk level associated with different vulnerabilities and for prioritizing risk mitigation efforts based on the likelihood of occurrence.

References:The Certified Incident Handler (CREST CPTIA) program by EC-Council includes detailed discussions on risk assessment methodologies, where likelihood analysis is highlighted as a key component in evaluating risks to organizational security.

When prioritizing intelligence requirements, it is crucial to understand the frequency and impact of various threats. This approach helps in allocating resources effectively, focusing on threats that are both likely to occur and that would have significant consequences if they did. By assessing threats based on these criteria, Henry can ensure that the threat intelligence program addresses the most pressing and potentially damaging threats first, thereby enhancing the organization's security posture. This prioritization is essential for effective threat management and for ensuring that the most critical threats are addressed promptly.References:

"Cyber Threat Intelligence: Prioritizing and Using CTI Effectively," by SANS Institute

"Threat Intelligence: What It Is, and How to Use It Effectively," by Gartner

The Sarbanes–Oxley Act (SOX) Title V, titled "Analyst Conflicts of Interest," contains measures specifically designed to restore investor confidence in the reporting of securities analysts. It addresses the issue of potential conflicts of interest for securities analysts who recommend stocks and other securities by requiring disclosure of certain relationships and financial interests between analysts and the companies they cover. This part of the SOX Act aims to ensure that investors receive unbiased and accurate information from analysts, thereby helping to restore trust in financial markets. Title V consists of only one section, making it unique compared to other titles within the Act that may encompass multiple sections or provisions.References:The Incident Handler (CREST CPTIA) certification materials might not directly cover the specifics of the Sarbanes–Oxley Act but would underscore the importance of understanding regulatory requirements and compliance, especially in roles involving incident response and information security governance.

URL encoding, also known as percent-encoding, is a mechanism for encoding information in a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) under certain circumstances. This technique involves replacing unsafe ASCII characters with a "%" followed by two hexadecimal digits that represent the character's ASCII code. This is necessary for embedding characters that are not allowed in URLs directly, such as spaces and symbols, or characters that have special meanings within URLs, ensuring that the URL is correctly interpreted by web browsers and servers.

References:The concept of URL encoding is fundamental to web application security, a topic that is covered in the CREST CPTIA program by EC-Council. Understanding encoding techniques is crucial for incident handlers dealing with web-based attacks and investigations.

The phase described where John, after gaining initial access, is attempting to obtain administrative credentials to further access systems within the network, is known as the 'Expansion' phase of an Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) lifecycle. This phase involves the attacker expanding their foothold within the target's environment, often by escalating privileges, compromising additional systems, and moving laterally through the network. The goal is to increase control over the network and maintain persistence for ongoing access. This phase follows the initial intrusion and sets the stage for establishing long-term presence and eventual data exfiltration or other malicious objectives.References:

MITRE ATT&CK Framework, specifically the tactics related to Credential Access and Lateral Movement

"APT Lifecycle: Detecting the Undetected," a whitepaper by CyberArk

In the scenario described, Dickson is performing an active assessment. This type of vulnerability assessment involves using automated tools to actively scan and probe the network for identifying hosts, services, and vulnerabilities. Unlike passive assessments, which rely on monitoring network traffic without direct interaction with the targets, active assessments engage directly with the network infrastructure to discover vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and other security issues by sending data to systems and analyzing the responses. This approach provides a more immediate and detailed view of the security posture but can also generate detectable traffic that might be noticed by defensive systems or affect the performance of live systems.

References:The CREST CPTIA curriculum by EC-Council includes discussions on various methods of conducting vulnerability assessments, highlighting the differences between active and passive techniques, as well as the contexts in which each is most appropriately used.