CompTIA CySA+ Practice Test

Which of the following identifiers indicates a behavioral analysis tool is functioning correctly?

1. Alerts triggered during expected normal operations

2. Regular updates to the software framework

3. Alerts on anomalies from established normal behavior

4. Cumulative logged data with no anomalies

The correct answer is: Alerts on anomalies from established normal behavior

The correct answer indicates that a behavioral analysis tool is effectively monitoring and identifying unusual activities within a network or system. When the tool generates alerts based on deviations from established normal behaviors, it suggests that the tool is functioning as intended by recognizing and flagging activities that are out of the ordinary. This capability is vital for detecting potential threats, as attackers often exploit systems by engaging in actions that differ from typical user behavior. Behavioral analysis tools are designed to learn patterns of normal operations and then identify any anomalies that may signal security incidents. For example, if a user who typically logs in at certain times suddenly accesses the system late at night, this may trigger an alert. Therefore, alerts on anomalies from established normal behavior confirm the tool is accurately fulfilling its role in detecting suspicious activities. In contrast, alerts triggered during expected normal operations do not indicate effective functioning since these should not generate warnings under usual circumstances. Regular updates to the software framework are essential for security maintenance but do not directly demonstrate the tool's capability to analyze behavior. Lastly, cumulative logged data with no anomalies could suggest either that there are no security issues or that the tool is not effectively detecting potential threats. The presence of alerts on unexpected behaviors is what truly signifies that the behavioral analysis tool is operating correctly.