Security Operation Centers

Correct Answer: Implement email filtering to detect phishing attempts.

Implementing email filtering is a proactive measure to detect and block phishing attempts. Holding a meeting or changing passwords may not address the problem immediately. Activating backup systems, performing network assessments, and responding to phishing emails are not direct solutions to phishing.

Correct Answer: Analyze the threat and apply necessary patches.

Analyzing the threat and applying necessary patches helps protect the organization against the zero-day exploit. Ignoring the alert is not proactive and increases risk. Locking down the network or upgrading systems may be disruptive. Reporting to the media is unnecessary and potentially harmful. Password changes may not prevent the exploit.

Correct Answer: Block the IP address and monitor for additional suspicious activity.

Blocking the suspicious IP address and continuing to monitor for additional activity is the most appropriate action for a SOC to take in this situation. This approach effectively mitigates the immediate threat by preventing further access attempts from the identified IP address, while also maintaining vigilance for potential related or follow-up threats. It strikes a balance between taking decisive action to protect the network and gathering more information about the nature and scope of the potential threat. This strategy allows the SOC to fulfill its primary responsibility of safeguarding the network while also gathering valuable data that can be used to improve future security measures and threat detection capabilities. The other options are either too passive (only notifying without action), too extreme (shutting down the website), potentially dangerous (allowing access or counter-attacking), or premature (reporting to law enforcement without sufficient evidence of a crime).