EC-Council Certified Threat Intelligence Analyst CTIA 312-85 Exam Questions

Page: 1 / 14
Total 50 questions
Question 1

What is the correct sequence of steps involved in scheduling a threat intelligence program?

1. Review the project charter

2. Identify all deliverables

3. Identify the sequence of activities

4. Identify task dependencies

5. Develop the final schedule

6. Estimate duration of each activity

7. Identify and estimate resources for all activities

8. Define all activities

9. Build a work breakdown structure (WBS)



Answer : A

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. Reference:

'A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide),' Project Management Institute

'Cyber Intelligence-Driven Risk,' by Intel471


Question 2

Kathy wants to ensure that she shares threat intelligence containing sensitive information with the appropriate audience. Hence, she used traffic light protocol (TLP).

Which TLP color would you signify that information should be shared only within a particular community?



Answer : D

In the Traffic Light Protocol (TLP), the color amber signifies that the information should be limited to those who have a need-to-know within the specified community or organization, and not further disseminated without permission. TLP Red indicates information that should not be disclosed outside of the originating organization. TLP Green indicates information that is limited to the community but can be disseminated within the community without restriction. TLP White, or TLP Clear, indicates information that can be shared freely with no restrictions. Therefore, for information meant to be shared within a particular community with some restrictions on further dissemination, TLP Amber is the appropriate designation. Reference:

FIRST (Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams) Traffic Light Protocol (TLP) Guidelines

CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) TLP Guidelines


Question 3

Alice, a threat intelligence analyst at HiTech Cyber Solutions, wants to gather information for identifying emerging threats to the organization and implement essential techniques to prevent their systems and networks from such attacks. Alice is searching for online sources to obtain information such as the method used to launch an attack, and techniques and tools used to perform an attack and the procedures followed for covering the tracks after an attack.

Which of the following online sources should Alice use to gather such information?



Answer : C

Alice, looking to gather information on emerging threats including attack methods, tools, and post-attack techniques, should turn to hacking forums. These online platforms are frequented by cybercriminals and security researchers alike, where information on the latest exploits, malware, and hacking techniques is shared and discussed. Hacking forums can provide real-time insights into the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) used by threat actors, offering a valuable resource for threat intelligence analysts aiming to enhance their organization's defenses. Reference:

'Hacking Forums: A Ground for Cyber Threat Intelligence,' by Digital Shadows

'The Value of Hacking Forums for Threat Intelligence,' by Flashpoint


Question 4

A threat analyst obtains an intelligence related to a threat, where the data is sent in the form of a connection request from a remote host to the server. From this data, he obtains only the IP address of the source and destination but no contextual information. While processing this data, he obtains contextual information stating that multiple connection requests from different geo-locations are received by the server within a short time span, and as a result, the server is stressed and gradually its performance has reduced. He further performed analysis on the information based on the past and present experience and concludes the attack experienced by the client organization.

Which of the following attacks is performed on the client organization?



Answer : C

The attack described, where multiple connection requests from different geo-locations are received by a server within a short time span leading to stress and reduced performance, is indicative of a Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack. In a DDoS attack, the attacker floods the target's resources (such as a server) with excessive requests from multiple sources, making it difficult for the server to handle legitimate traffic, leading to degradation or outright unavailability of service. The use of multiple geo-locations for the attack sources is a common characteristic of DDoS attacks, making them harder to mitigate. Reference:

'Understanding Denial-of-Service Attacks,' US-CERT

'DDoS Quick Guide,' DHS/NCCIC


Question 5

Which of the following components refers to a node in the network that routes the traffic from a workstation to external command and control server and helps in identification of installed malware in the network?



Answer : B

A gateway in a network functions as a node that routes traffic between different networks, such as from a local network to the internet. In the context of cyber threats, a gateway can be utilized to monitor and control the data flow to and from the network, helping in the identification and analysis of malware communications, including traffic to external command and control (C2) servers. This makes it an essential component in detecting installed malware within a network by observing anomalies or unauthorized communications at the network's boundary. Unlike repeaters, hubs, or network interface cards (NICs) that primarily facilitate network connectivity without analyzing the traffic, gateways can enforce security policies and detect suspicious activities. Reference:

'Network Security Basics,' Security+ Guide to Network Security Fundamentals

'Malware Command and Control Channels: A Journey,' SANS Institute InfoSec Reading Room


Question 6

Cybersol Technologies initiated a cyber-threat intelligence program with a team of threat intelligence analysts. During the process, the analysts started converting the raw data into useful information by applying various techniques, such as machine-based techniques, and statistical methods.

In which of the following phases of the threat intelligence lifecycle is the threat intelligence team currently working?



Answer : C

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. Reference:

'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


Question 7

A team of threat intelligence analysts is performing threat analysis on malware, and each of them has come up with their own theory and evidence to support their theory on a given malware.

Now, to identify the most consistent theory out of all the theories, which of the following analytic processes must threat intelligence manager use?



Answer : C

Analysis of Competing Hypotheses (ACH) is an analytic process designed to help an analyst or a team of analysts evaluate multiple competing hypotheses on an issue fairly and objectively. ACH assists in identifying and analyzing the evidence for and against each hypothesis, ultimately aiding in determining the most likely explanation. In the scenario where a team of threat intelligence analysts has various theories on a particular malware, ACH would be the most appropriate method to assess these competing theories systematically. ACH involves listing all possible hypotheses, collecting data and evidence, and assessing the evidence's consistency with each hypothesis. This process helps in minimizing cognitive biases and making a more informed decision on the most consistent theory. Reference:

Richards J. Heuer Jr., 'Psychology of Intelligence Analysis,' Central Intelligence Agency

'A Tradecraft Primer: Structured Analytic Techniques for Improving Intelligence Analysis,' Central Intelligence Agency


Page:    1 / 14   
Total 50 questions