CPTIA Exam Dumps - CREST Practitioner Questions and Answers

In the trust model described, where trust between two organizations depends on the degree and quality of evidence provided by the first organization, the model in use is 'Validated Trust.' This model relies on the validation of evidence or credentials presented by one party to another to establish trust. The validation process assesses the credibility, reliability, and relevance of the information shared, forming the basis of the trust relationship between the sharing partners. This approach is common in threat intelligence sharing where the accuracy and reliability of shared information are critical.References:

"Building a Cybersecurity Culture," ISACA

"Trust Models in Information Security," Journal of Internet Services and Applications

The network administrator collected log files generated by a traffic monitoring system, which falls under the category of low-level data. This type of data might not appear useful at first glance but can reveal significant insights about network activity and potential threats upon thorough analysis. Low-level data includes raw logs, packet captures, and other granular details that, when analyzed properly, can help detect anomalous behaviors or indicators of compromise within the network. This type of information is essential for detection and response efforts, allowing security teams to identify and mitigate threats in real-time.References:

"Network Forensics: Tracking Hackers through Cyberspace," by Sherri Davidoff and Jonathan Ham, Prentice Hall

"Real-Time Detection of Anomalous Activity in Dynamic, Heterogeneous Information Systems," IEEE Transactions on Information Forensics and Security

During the threat modeling process, Mr. Andrews is in the stage of threat profiling and attribution, where he is collecting important information about the threat actor and characterizing the analytic behavior of the adversary. This stage involves understanding the technological details, goals, motives, and potential capabilities of the adversaries, which is essential for building effective countermeasures. Threat profiling and attribution help in creating a detailed picture of the adversary, contributing to a more focused and effective defense strategy.References:

"The Art of Threat Profiling," by John Pirc, SANS Institute Reading Room

"Threat Modeling: Designing for Security," by Adam Shostack

Setting up a computer forensics lab involves several critical steps that need to be executed in a logical and efficient order. The correct sequence starts with planning and budgeting (2), as it is essential to understand the scope, resources, and financial commitment required for the lab. The next step involves considering the physical location and structural design (1) to ensure the lab meets operational needs and security requirements. Work area considerations (3) follow, focusing on the layout and functionality of the workspace. Human resource considerations (6) are crucial next, to ensure the lab is staffed with qualified personnel. Physical security recommendations (4) are thenimplemented to protect the lab and its resources. Finally, forensic lab licensing (5) ensures the lab operates within legal and regulatory frameworks.

References:The CREST CPTIA course materials from EC-Council outline the foundational steps for setting up a computer forensics lab, stressing the importance of thorough planning and adherence to best practices in lab design and operation.

The correct flow of stages in an Incident Handling and Response (IH&R) process as outlined in the Incident Handler (CREST CPTIA) by EC-Council begins with Preparation. This phase involves getting ready for potential incidents by developing plans, policies, and procedures, and ensuring that tools and team training are up to date. Incident Recording is the next stage, where incidents are documented and reported. Incident Triage follows, prioritizing incidents based on their impact and urgency. Containment is next, aiming to limit the damage of the incident and prevent further spread. Eradication comes after containment, where the root cause of the incident is removed. Recovery is the stage where affected systems are restored to their operational status. Post-Incident Activities conclude the process, reviewing and learning from the incident to improve future response efforts.

References:This structured approach is foundational in the CREST CPTIA program, ensuring that incident handlers are prepared to systematically address and manage cybersecurity incidents efficiently.

Restoring web application services with the help of existing backups, as performed by Robert, falls under the Recovery stage of the Incident Handling and Response (IH&R) process. The Recovery stage involves actions taken to return the organization to normal operations after an incident, which includes restoring systems to their operational state using backups, patching vulnerabilities, and ensuring that all systems are clean and secure before being brought back online. This step is crucial for resuming business operations and mitigating the impact of the incident.

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 scenario described by Steve's observations, where multiple logins are occurring from different locations in a short time span, especially from locations where the organization has no business relations, points to 'Geographical anomalies' as a key indicator of compromise (IoC). Geographical anomalies in logins suggest unauthorized access attempts potentially made by attackers using compromised credentials. This is particularly suspicious when the locations of these logins do not align with the normal geographical footprint of the organization's operations or employee locations. Monitoring for such anomalies can help in the early detection of unauthorized access and potential data breaches.References:

SANS Institute Reading Room, "Indicators of Compromise: Reality's Version of the Minority Report"

"Identifying Indicators of Compromise" by CERT-UK

Autopsy is a digital forensics platform and graphical interface to The Sleuth Kit and other digital forensics tools. It is used by law enforcement, military, and corporate examiners to investigate what happened on a computer. Autopsy enables incident handlers to view the file system, retrieve deleted data, perform timeline analysis, and analyze web artifacts, among other functionalities. This tool is particularly useful during the incident response process for conducting in-depth investigations into the nature of a security incident, identifying the methods used by attackers, and recovering lost or compromised data.

References:The EC-Council's Certified Incident Handler (CREST CPTIA) program covers digital forensic tools and techniques, highlighting the capabilities of Autopsy for supporting comprehensive incident investigations and response activities.

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Incident triage is the phase in the Incident Handling and Response (IH&R) process where identified security incidents are analyzed, validated, categorized, and prioritized. This step is crucial for determining the severity of incidents and deciding on the order in which they should be addressed. During triage, incident handlers assess the impact, urgency, and potential harm of an incident to prioritize their response efforts effectively. This ensures that resources are allocated efficiently, and the most critical incidents are handled first. Incident recording and assignment involve logging incidents and assigning them to handlers, containment focuses on limiting the extent of damage, and notification involves informing stakeholders about the incident.References:The Incident Handler (CREST CPTIA) courses and study guides detail the IH&R process, emphasizing the importance of triage in managing and responding to security incidents effectively.