Certified Incident Handler (ECIH) Free Sample Questions

Nmap (Network Mapper) is the most well-known free and open-source network scanning tool for port scanning, OS detection, and service enumeration. It provides comprehensive network discovery and security auditing capabilities that are essential for incident handlers. Wireshark is a packet analyzer, Snort is an intrusion detection system, and SAINT is a commercial vulnerability scanner, none of which provide the broad network mapping functionality that Nmap offers.

A virus is malicious code that infects computer files, corrupts or deletes data, and specifically requires a host file to propagate and spread. This host dependency is the key characteristic that distinguishes viruses from other malware types. Trojans disguise themselves as legitimate software but do not require host files, worms self-replicate across networks without needing host files, and rootkits hide malicious activity rather than requiring hosts for propagation.

Risk is commonly formulated as Risk = Events × Probability × Magnitude, where Magnitude represents the potential impact or harm that could result from an incident. The magnitude component quantifies the severity of consequences, making the risk formula complete. Probability is already mentioned in the formula, while consequences and significance are general terms that do not fit the specific mathematical risk formulation structure.

High level incidents involve sensitive information disclosure to competitors, insider threats, or data breaches that require immediate senior management involvement and significant resources. The scenario describes a disgruntled employee passing sensitive access control information to a competitor, which represents a serious security breach requiring high-level incident response procedures. Middle and low level incidents involve less critical issues, while ultra-high incidents are typically reserved for catastrophic system-wide failures or major data breaches affecting thousands of records.

Incident Recovery is the process of rebuilding and restoring computer systems affected by an incident to normal operational status, including all processes, policies, and tools. This phase focuses specifically on system restoration and business continuity. Incident Management is the overall framework, Incident Response refers to the immediate reaction and containment actions, and Incident Handling encompasses the entire lifecycle but does not specifically refer to the restoration phase.

Macro viruses specifically infect Microsoft Office documents like Word files by embedding malicious code in the document macros. These viruses execute when the document is opened and macros are enabled, making them particularly dangerous for document-based attacks. Micro viruses and file infectors target executable files, while boot sector viruses infect the master boot record of storage devices, none of which specifically target Word document files.

Access control policies specifically authorize groups of users to perform defined sets of actions on designated resources, establishing who can access what and under what conditions. This is the fundamental purpose of access control in organizational security. Audit trail policies track user activities, while other policy types serve different security functions but do not directly authorize user actions on resources.

RTIR (Request Tracker for Incident Response) is a specialized incident tracking, reporting, and handling tool designed specifically for security incident management teams. It provides structured workflows for incident lifecycle management, reporting capabilities, and collaboration features essential for incident response. CRAMM is a risk assessment methodology, NETSTAT is a network utility command, and EAR/Pilar are not incident tracking tools.

Internal auditors in incident response teams are responsible for identifying and reporting security loopholes to management for necessary actions, ensuring organizational compliance and control effectiveness. Their expertise in evaluating internal controls makes them valuable for identifying systemic weaknesses that led to incidents. Configuring security controls, blocking network traffic, and coordinating containment are operational tasks typically handled by security engineers and incident handlers rather than auditors.

Digital evidence refers to any information of probative value that is stored or transmitted in digital form during a computer crime, making it legally admissible in court proceedings. This encompasses all electronic data that can prove or disprove facts related to cyber incidents. Computer emails are just one type of digital evidence, digital investigation is the process of examining evidence, and digital forensic examiner is the person who analyzes the evidence, not the evidence itself.

The Identification stage of incident response involves analyzing incidents for their nature, intensity, and effects, which includes auditing system and network log files to understand what occurred. This stage focuses on determining whether a security event is actually an incident requiring response. Incident recording documents the incident, reporting communicates findings, and containment focuses on limiting the incident spread rather than initial analysis.

Incident Response Plans require all of the above components: financial and management support for resources and authority, expert team composition with skilled personnel from various disciplines, and adequate resources including technology, tools, and budget. A comprehensive incident response plan cannot be effective without any of these critical elements, as each component is essential for successful incident handling and organizational preparedness.

Adware is software that displays advertising banners while running and delivers ads through pop-up windows or bars on computer screens or browsers, often generating revenue for developers through ad display. Unlike malicious malware, adware primarily focuses on advertising rather than system damage. Trojans disguise malicious functionality, rootkits hide system presence, viruses self-replicate and infect files, and worms spread across networks, none of which primarily focus on advertising display.

According to Evidence Preservation policy, a forensic investigator should make at least two image copies of digital evidence to ensure data integrity and provide backup protection against corruption or damage during analysis. One copy serves as a working copy for examination while the other remains pristine for verification and legal presentation. Single copies risk evidence loss, while three or more copies may be excessive for most investigations, but two copies specifically provide the minimum redundancy needed for proper evidence preservation and chain of custody maintenance.

The most common types of intellectual property include all the mentioned forms: copyrights protecting creative works, trademarks protecting brand identifiers, patents protecting inventions, and trade secrets protecting confidential business information. Each type provides different legal protections for intangible assets. Since intellectual property encompasses multiple categories of legal protection for different types of creative and business assets, all the above represents the complete range of common intellectual property types that organizations must protect.

Business Recovery Plan is the comprehensive strategy that enables organizations to continue functioning after disastrous events through redundant hardware/software, fault-tolerant systems, and robust backup procedures. This plan specifically focuses on operational continuity and system restoration. While disaster recovery plans address immediate response, business impact analysis evaluates potential losses, and contingency plans provide alternative procedures, the Business Recovery Plan encompasses the full spectrum of organizational continuity measures.

Organizations often fail to report information security incidents primarily due to fear of negative publicity, which could damage their reputation, customer trust, and stock value. This concern about public perception frequently outweighs the benefits of incident reporting and information sharing. While costs, legal concerns, and technical challenges may be factors, the fear of reputational damage remains the predominant reason organizations avoid incident disclosure.

SURFnet-CERT is the Computer Emergency Response Team that serves as an Internet provider to higher education institutions and research institutions in the Netherlands, handling all computer security incidents involving their customers. This specialized CERT focuses on the academic and research community. Other CERTs serve different constituencies: CERT/CC coordinates global incident response, AusCERT serves Australia, and JPCERT serves Japan, but none specifically focus on Dutch higher education institutions.

Computer Security Incident Response Teams (CSIRTs) provide all the services mentioned including incident handling, vulnerability management, security awareness training, threat intelligence sharing, forensic analysis, and coordination with other security teams. CSIRTs offer comprehensive security services to support organizational incident response capabilities. Since the question asks about CSIRT services in general and multiple options would be correct, all the above represents the complete range of services these teams typically provide.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) ensures the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of electronic protected health information (ePHI) of patients through comprehensive privacy and security requirements. HIPAA establishes national standards for protecting medical records and personal health information in healthcare organizations. Other acts like FISMA, SOX, and GLBA address different regulatory requirements but do not specifically focus on patient health information protection.