CPTIA Exam Dumps - CREST Practitioner Threat Intelligence Analyst

The port scanning technique that involves resetting the TCP connection between the client and server abruptly before the completion of the three-way handshake, thereby leaving the connection half-open, is known as a Stealth scan (also referred to as a SYN scan). This technique allows the scanner to inquire about the status of a port without establishing a full TCP connection, making the scan less detectible to intrusion detection systems and less likely to be logged by the target. It's a method used to discreetly discover open ports on a target machine without establishing a full connection that would be visible in logs.References:CREST materials often cover different types of network scanning techniques, including Stealth scans, explaining their methodologies, purposes, and how they can be detected or mitigated.

Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) is a framework used to manage digital certificates and public-key encryption. It enables secure electronic transfer of information for a range of network activities such as e-commerce, internet banking, and confidential email. PKI is fundamental to the management of encryption keys and digital certificates, ensuring the secure exchange of data over networks and verification of identity.

References:The CREST CPTIA program covers the importance of PKI in cloud security controls, emphasizing its role in establishing and maintaining a secure cloud computing environment.

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.References:

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

"DDoS Quick Guide," DHS/NCCIC

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.References:

"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

Phishing emails often share common characteristics designed to manipulate the recipient into taking immediate action. One of the hallmark features is the use of urgency, threatening language, or promising subject lines in the emails. These tactics are intended to create a sense of urgency or fear, compelling the recipient to respond quickly without giving due consideration to the legitimacy of the email. Phishing emails may claim that the recipient's account has been compromised, that they need to confirm personal information immediately, or that they have won a prize. The goal is to trick the recipient into clicking on malicious links, opening attachments, or providing sensitive information.

References:The Certified Incident Handler (CREST CPTIA) program by EC-Council covers the identification and handling of phishing incidents, including the analysis of phishing emails and the importance of educating users on recognizing and responding to phishing attempts.

Karry's method of collecting data, which involves no active engagement with participants and is purely based on analysis and observation of activities within the organization, is known as passive data collection. This method is characterized by the non-intrusive monitoring of data and events, allowing analysts to gather intelligence without alerting potential adversaries or disrupting ongoing processes. Passive data collection is essential for maintaining operational security and obtaining an unaltered view of system and network activities.References:

"Passive Data Collection in Cybersecurity," by Cybersecurity Guide

"Understanding Passive and Active Data Collection for Cyber Threat Intelligence," by ThreatConnect

Disabling security options such as two-factor authentication (2FA) and CAPTCHA is not a countermeasure to eradicate cloud security incidents. In fact, it is contrary to best security practices. 2FA adds an additional layer of security by requiring two forms of verification before granting access to an account or system. CAPTCHA helps prevent automated attacks by ensuring that the entity accessing the service is human. Both are important security measures that protect against unauthorized access and automated attacks, thereby enhancing cloud security.

Cloud Passage Halo is a security platform designed to provide comprehensive visibility and protection for cloud environments, making it an effective tool for incident responders dealing with potential cloud security incidents. It offers capabilities for detecting, responding to, and containing threats across public, private, and hybrid cloud environments. With features like automated security policies, compliance monitoring, and threat detection, Cloud Passage Halo enables incident responders to quickly contain incidents and gather the required forensic evidence to investigate the scope and impact of a breach or security issue. Tools like Alert Logic and Qualys Cloud Platform also provide security and compliance solutions for cloud environments, but Cloud Passage Halo is specifically recognized for its robust incident response and containment capabilities.References:The Incident Handler (CREST CPTIA) certification materials and courses discuss various tools and technologies that support cloud security incident response, including the role of platforms like Cloud Passage Halo in effective incident management.