According to the CCST Cybersecurity Study Guide, firmware updates are a critical security maintenance task because vulnerabilities in firmware can be exploited by attackers to gain persistent control over hardware.

'Keeping firmware up to date is necessary to patch security vulnerabilities and weaknesses that could be exploited by threat actors. Vendors release firmware updates to correct security flaws, enhance stability, and ensure compatibility with updated security protocols.'

(CCST Cybersecurity, Endpoint Security Concepts, System and Firmware Maintenance section, Cisco Networking Academy)

A is partially true but not the primary security reason for updates.

B is incorrect because firmware is not part of the OS kernel; it's embedded in the hardware.

C is correct: patching vulnerabilities in firmware is essential for endpoint protection.

D may occur as a side benefit, but it's not the main reason from a cybersecurity perspective.

The CCST Cybersecurity Study Guide states that vulnerability scanning is an automated process used to identify known security weaknesses in systems, software, and network devices. These scans compare system configurations and software versions against databases of known vulnerabilities, such as the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) list.

'A vulnerability scan is an automated test that checks systems and networks for known weaknesses by matching them against a database of vulnerabilities such as CVEs. This allows administrators to identify exploitable conditions before they are leveraged by attackers.'

(CCST Cybersecurity, Vulnerability Assessment and Risk Management, Vulnerability Scanning section, Cisco Networking Academy)

A is asset discovery, not vulnerability scanning.

B may be part of remediation planning but is not the primary purpose.

C is correct: Scans detect if systems have vulnerabilities associated with CVEs.

D describes SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) log correlation, not vulnerability scanning.

According to the Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) Cybersecurity Study Guide, a honeypot is a security mechanism that appears to be a legitimate system or resource but is intentionally made vulnerable to attract attackers. Its purpose is not to serve legitimate users but to detect, study, and sometimes divert malicious activity.

'A honeypot is a decoy system or service designed to attract and engage attackers. By simulating a target of interest, it allows security teams to monitor attack methods, collect intelligence, and sometimes divert threats away from production systems. Honeypots do not prevent attacks but help in identifying them and understanding adversary tactics.'

(CCST Cybersecurity, Basic Network Security Concepts, Honeypots and Honey Nets section, Cisco Networking Academy)

In this context:

Option A describes an IDS (Intrusion Detection System), not a honeypot.

Option C refers to a DMZ (Demilitarized Zone), not a honeypot.

Option D describes an IPS (Intrusion Prevention System).

Option B correctly identifies a honeypot's role as a decoy to divert or engage attackers.

The CCST Cybersecurity Study Guide explains that SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response) platforms integrate data from multiple tools and sources, support case management, and automate security workflows for faster incident response.

'SOAR solutions provide orchestration, automation, and response capabilities. They collect security data from multiple systems, enable analysts to manage incidents, and automate repetitive tasks in the response process.'

(CCST Cybersecurity, Incident Handling, Security Automation Tools section, Cisco Networking Academy)

A (SIEM) collects and correlates security logs but lacks full orchestration and automated response capabilities.

B is correct: SOAR adds orchestration, case management, and automated incident response.

C (NextGen IPS) focuses on intrusion prevention, not orchestration.

D (Snort) is an open-source intrusion detection/prevention tool, not an orchestration platform.

The CCST Cybersecurity Study Guide explains that sandboxing is a security technique that executes suspicious programs in a controlled and isolated environment, preventing them from affecting production systems while enabling behavior analysis.

'Sandboxing isolates a suspected application in a secure, controlled environment where it can be executed and analyzed without risking damage to the host system or network.'

(CCST Cybersecurity, Endpoint Security Concepts, Malware Analysis Techniques section, Cisco Networking Academy)