Free Cisco 200-201 Practice Exam with Questions & Answers | Set: 13

An attack vector is the method or technique that an attacker uses to exploit a vulnerability in a system or network. An attack vector can be a software, hardware, or human component that can be manipulated to gain unauthorized access, execute malicious code, or cause damage. An attack surface is the sum of all the possible attackvectors that are exposed by a system or network. An attack surface can be reduced by applying security measures such as patching, hardening, firewalling, and encrypting. References: Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) - Cisco, page 1-4; 200-201 CBROPS - Cisco, exam topic 1.1.c

Data tunneling is a technique used to conceal malicious or unauthorized data by embedding it within legitimate protocols or system processes. Attackers commonly use tunneling to bypass security controls, evade detection, and exfiltrate data through allowed network channels such as HTTP, DNS, or HTTPS.

Instead of transmitting malicious data directly, which may be blocked or flagged, the attacker encapsulates it within normal-looking traffic. For example, command-and-control communications may be hidden inside DNS queries, or stolen data may be exfiltrated within HTTP requests. To security tools, this traffic appears legitimate unless deep inspection or behavioral analysis is applied.

Options A, B, and C describe standard networking or cryptographic operations, not tunneling. Decryption, packetization, and data reassembly are normal functions of communication systems and are not inherently malicious.

Cybersecurity operations documentation highlights data tunneling as a common technique used in advanced persistent threats (APTs) and covert exfiltration scenarios. Detecting tunneling often requires correlation, anomaly detection, and protocol analysis rather than signature-based detection alone.

Therefore, data tunneling refers to hiding malicious data within legitimate system processes, making Option D the correct answer.

 To analyze both payload and header information, an engineer must capture the full packet data. This includes all protocol and payload information for the traffic, allowing for a comprehensive analysis of the data being transmitted5678. References: Full packet capture is a common practice in network monitoring and security, as it provides detailed insights into the data transmitted over the network, including both payload and header information

The defense-in-depth strategy is a layered approach to security that includes multiple defensive measures to protect against threats. Dividing the network into parts (B) helps isolate potential breaches, making it harder for an attacker to move laterally across the network. Implementing the patch management process (E) ensures that systems are up-to-date with the latest security patches, reducing vulnerabilities that attackers could exploit.

Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) course