Pass the CREST Practitioner CPTIA Questions and answers with ExamsMirror

Obfuscation is a technique used to make data or code difficult to understand. It is often employed by attackers to conceal the true intent of their code or communications, making it harder for security professionals, automated tools, and others to analyze or detect malicious activity. Obfuscation can involve the use of ambiguous or misleading language, as well as more technical methods such as encoding, encryption, or the use of nonsensical variable names in source code to hide its true functionality.

References:The CREST CPTIA program discusses various techniques attackers use to evade detection, including obfuscation, highlighting how it complicates the analysis and understanding of malicious payloads.

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

The phase where threat intelligence analysts convert raw data into useful information by applying various techniques, such as machine learning or statistical methods, is known as 'Processing and Exploitation'. During this phase, collected data is processed, standardized, and analyzed to extract relevant information. This is a critical step in the threat intelligence lifecycle, transforming raw data into a format that can be further analyzed and turned into actionable intelligence in the subsequent 'Analysis and Production' phase.References:

"Intelligence Analysis for Problem Solvers" by John E. McLaughlin

"The Cyber Intelligence Tradecraft Project: The State of Cyber Intelligence Practices in the United States (Unclassified Summary)" by the Carnegie Mellon University's Software Engineering Institute

Employee monitoring tools are primarily used by employers to detect and prevent malicious insider threats. These tools can track activities such as data access, data exfiltration attempts, unauthorized actions, and other behaviors that could indicate malicious intent or pose a risk to the organization's security. While such tools may also incidentally uncover issues like lost registry keys, conspiracies, or stolen credentials, their main purpose is to safeguard against insiders who might misuse their access to harm the organization, steal data, sabotage systems, or engage in espionage.References:CREST CPTIA study materials cover various security measures and tools that organizations can use to protect against insider threats, emphasizing the role of monitoring in detecting and responding to malicious activities by insiders.

Sam's mistake was using threat intelligence from sources that he did not verify for reliability. Relying on intelligence from unverified or unreliable sources can lead to the incorporation of inaccurate, outdated, or irrelevant information into the organization's threat intelligence program. This can result in "noise," which refers to irrelevant or false information that can distract from real threats, and potentially put the organization's network at risk. Verifying the credibility and reliability of intelligence sources is crucial to ensure that the data used for making security decisions is accurate and actionable.References:

"Best Practices for Threat Intelligence Sharing," by FIRST (Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams)

"Evaluating Cyber Threat Intelligence Sources," by Jon DiMaggio, SANS Institute InfoSec Reading Room

The analyst used Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) to gather information from publicly available sources. OSINT involves collecting and analyzing information from publicly accessible sources to produce actionable intelligence. This can include media reports, public government data, professional and academic publications, and information available on the internet. OSINT is widely used for national security, law enforcement, and business intelligence purposes, providing a rich source of information for making informed decisions and understanding the threat landscape.References:

"Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) Tools and Techniques," by SANS Institute

"The Role of OSINT in Cybersecurity and Threat Intelligence," by Recorded Future

For H&P, Inc., a small-scale organization looking to outsource network security monitoring and incorporate threat intelligence into their network defenses cost-effectively, recruiting a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) would be the most suitable option. MSSPs offer a range of services including network security monitoring, threat intelligence, incident response, and compliance management, often at a lower cost than maintaining an in-house security team. This allows organizations to benefit from expert services and advanced security technologies without the need for significant resource investment.References:

"The Benefits of Managed Security Services," by Gartner

"How to Choose a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP)," by CSO Online

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.

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.

Threat Grid is a threat intelligence and analysis platform that offers advanced capabilities for automatic data collection, filtering, and analysis. It is designed to help organizations convert raw threat data into meaningful, actionable intelligence. By employing advanced analytics and machine learning, Threat Grid can reduce noise from large data sets, helping to eliminate misrepresentations and enhance the quality of the threat intelligence. This makes it an ideal choice for Tim, who is looking to address the challenges of converting raw data into contextual information and managing the noise from massive data collections.References:

"Cisco Threat Grid: Unify Your Threat Defense," Cisco

"Integrating and Automating Threat Intelligence," by Threat Grid