Knowledge Tests

What is assessed?

The following subjects will be assessed:

• Attacks, Threats, and Vulnerabilities: Understanding various cyber threats, attacks (e.g., malware, phishing), and vulnerabilities that can compromise security.
• Architecture and Design: Implementing secure network and system designs to mitigate risks and ensure robust security.
• Implementation: Applying security measures and technologies (e.g., firewalls, encryption) to protect against unauthorized access and attacks.
• Operations and Incident Response: Managing security operations, including incident detection, response, and recovery procedures.
• Governance, Risk, and Compliance: Implementing security policies, assessing risks, and ensuring compliance with regulations and standards.

Exam Format and Delivery

This is a multiple-choice-question examination (MCQ) of 100 questions. You take the exam in your browser using MCSI's Online Learning Platform. To pass, you must obtain a 80 percent pass rate.

Designed for beginners

This exam is suitable for individuals with a bachelor's degree in information security or self-taught individuals who have acquired relevant knowledge and skills in cybersecurity.

The benefits of MCQ exams

It's been scientifically proven that taking an MCQ test improves the retention of the information being tested. Furthermore, taking a test has been shown to improve the retention of non-tested information if it is related to the tested material in a specific way.

All of our students are encouraged to take our Knowledge Tests to reinforce existing cybersecurity knowledge or learn knowledge that will help them advance in their jobs.

Certificate of Completion

If you pass this exam, you will earn a Certificate of Completion. This certificate can be added to your LinkedIn page as well as your resume.

Unlimited Attempts

Don't be concerned about failure. The main goal is to study and then concentrate on practical skills. These are the most crucial ones. As a result, using our Knowledge Tests, you can retake the exam as many times as necessary till you pass. The questions are designed to be challenging, and passing them is a rewarding experience. We also hope that allowing you to fail without repercussions will motivate you to try harder and not look for methods to cheat.

No exam renewal

This is not a phoney certification. We're not attempting to persuade you to renew it every few years, pay for an ongoing subscription, or purchase other products in order to maintain your CPEs. Study and pass your exam. Your certificate is good for the rest of your life. Then, we recommend that you concentrate on more advanced, practical certificates. In this field, practical skills are the most vital.

MCSI is a well-known and respected name in the field of cyber security education and training. Obtaining your MCSI certification will demonstrate your understanding of cyber security principles, technologies, and procedures, which will assist you in defending companies and individuals against threats.

• Demonstrate Your Knowledge in Cyber Threats and Attack Techniques

  Every year, cyber-attacks and threats become more widespread and complex. Individuals, corporations, and governments must be aware of these dangers and take actions to protect themselves now more than ever. Cyber-attacks can result in financial loss, data loss, and even death.

  Malware

  Computer malware is a type of software that is created with the intent of harming or disabling computers. Viruses, ransomware, and spyware are examples of malware that can be installed mistakenly or maliciously. Malware has the ability to corrupt files, slow down computer performance, and steal data. It can also allow hackers to remotely access and control computer systems.

  Phishing

  Phishing is a sort of cyberattack in which an attacker impersonates a trustworthy entity in an electronic conversation in order to get sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card numbers. Phishing is most commonly done by email, however it can also be done via text messaging and social media platforms.

  Person-in-the-Middle

  A person-in-the-middle (PitM or MitM) attack is a type of computer security attack in which the attacker places themselves between two communicating parties in order to read, manipulate, or disrupt the conversation. This can be done for a variety of purposes, including monetary gain, espionage, or simply to cause mischief. In some circumstances, the attacker may even impersonate one of the communication parties to obtain access to information that they would not otherwise have access to.

  Zero-Day Exploit

  Zero-day exploits are security vulnerabilities that are unknown to the public and the vendor. These vulnerabilities are typically discovered by security researchers and are not fixed until a security patch is released. Because zero-day exploits are unknown, they can be used to attack systems without being detected.

  Denial-of-Service Attack

  A denial-of-service (DoS) attack is an attempt to make a machine or network resource unavailable to its intended users. Attackers can use a number of methods to achieve this, such as flooding the target machine with requests so that it can't respond to legitimate traffic.

  SQL Injection

  A SQL injection vulnerability is a security hole that allows an attacker to inject malicious SQL code into an SQL statement, potentially resulting in the execution of the code by the database. This can allow the attacker to access and manipulate data, steal information, or even take complete control of the database. SQL injection vulnerabilities are a common security vulnerability, and are often exploited by attackers.

  Web Shell

  A web shell is a script that can be uploaded to a web server to provide an attacker with a remote command line interface. This can be used to execute commands on the server and to access the file system. Web shells are often used to upload and run malicious code, or to steal sensitive information. They can also be used to take control of the server and to launch a denial of service attack.

  Advanced Persistent Threat

  An Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) is a cyberattack that is carried out over a long period of time and is meant to achieve a specific goal, such as stealing confidential data. APTs are often conducted by state-sponsored actors or criminal organizations and can be very difficult to detect.

• Demonstrate Your Knowledge in Security Architecture and Designs

  In the KCSS exam, you'll showcase your understanding of critical security architecture and design concepts, demonstrating your ability to apply them effectively in cybersecurity settings.

  Data Loss Prevention (DLP)

  A set of technologies and policies designed to prevent sensitive data from being accessed, used, or shared in unauthorized ways, both internally and externally.

  Data at Rest

  Refers to data that is stored on a device or system but not actively being accessed or processed. Data at rest is typically stored in databases, file systems, or other storage mediums.

  Platform as a Service (PaaS)

  A cloud computing model where a third-party provider delivers hardware and software tools over the internet, allowing developers to build, deploy, and manage applications without managing the underlying infrastructure.

  Software as a Service (SaaS)

  A software delivery model where applications are hosted by a third-party provider and accessed by users over the internet. Users typically pay a subscription fee to use the software.

  Server-Side vs. Client-Side Code

  Server-side code runs on the server and processes requests from clients, while client-side code runs on the user's device (e.g., web browser) and interacts with the server to display content or perform actions.

  Biometrics

  Authentication method that uses unique physical or behavioral characteristics (e.g., fingerprint, iris scan, voice recognition) to verify a person's identity.

  Security Implications in Embedded Devices

  Concerns related to security vulnerabilities and risks associated with embedded systems and IoT devices, including firmware vulnerabilities, lack of security updates, and potential for unauthorized access.

  Physical Security Controls

  Measures implemented to protect physical assets, facilities, and resources, such as access controls (e.g., badges, biometric scanners), surveillance systems (e.g., CCTV), and environmental controls (e.g., temperature monitoring).

• Demonstrate Your Knowledge in Cybersecurity Implementation Tools

  Understanding cybersecurity implementation tools is essential for protecting systems and data, as these tools enable organizations to detect and prevent malicious activities, ensure data confidentiality and integrity through encryption, and control access to resources effectively.

  Secure Real-time Transport Protocol (SRTP)

  Secure Real-time Transport Protocol (SRTP) is a security framework used to protect voice and video communications over IP networks. SRTP provides encryption, authentication, and integrity protection to ensure secure real-time communication.

  Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (S/MIME)

  Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (S/MIME) is a protocol used to add encryption and digital signatures to email messages. It ensures confidentiality and integrity of email communications by encrypting message content and verifying sender identity.

  Antivirus

  Antivirus software is designed to detect, prevent, and remove malicious software (malware) from computer systems. It scans files and processes in real-time to identify and quarantine potential threats.

  Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)

  Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) tools monitor and analyze endpoint devices for signs of malicious activity. They detect threats, investigate incidents, and provide response capabilities to contain and remediate attacks.

  Block List/Deny List

  Block lists (deny lists) are used to restrict access to specific resources (e.g., websites, IP addresses) based on predefined criteria. They help prevent unauthorized access and protect against known threats.

  Disk Encryption

  Disk encryption secures data stored on disk drives by converting it into unreadable ciphertext. It prevents unauthorized access to data in case of physical theft or unauthorized access to storage devices.

  Boot Attestation

  Boot attestation is a process used to verify the integrity and security of system boot components (e.g., bootloader, firmware) during startup. It ensures that only trusted components are loaded, preventing unauthorized modifications and malware execution.

  Hashing

  Hashing is a cryptographic technique used to transform data into a fixed-length hash value. It ensures data integrity and is used in password storage, digital signatures, and data verification.

• Demonstrate Your Knowledge in Cybersecurity Operations and Incident Response

  Effective cybersecurity operations and incident response are critical for minimizing the impact of security breaches. Explore key concepts and tools:

  theHarvester

  theHarvester is a reconnaissance tool used to gather information about potential targets from public sources. It can be used by security professionals and penetration testers to collect email addresses, subdomains, and other valuable data for vulnerability assessment and security auditing.

  Tracert/Traceroute

  Tracert (Windows) or traceroute (Unix/Linux) is used to trace the route packets take from one networked device to another. It helps diagnose network connectivity issues and identify the path that data packets follow across the internet.

  Stages of Incident Response

  Incident response typically involves several stages: preparation, identification, containment, eradication, recovery, and lessons learned. These stages guide organizations in effectively responding to security incidents and minimizing their impact.

  Disaster Recovery Plan

  A Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP) outlines procedures and strategies for recovering IT systems and data after a disaster or disruptive event. It ensures business continuity and minimizes downtime during recovery efforts.

  Segmentation

  Segmentation involves dividing networks into separate segments or zones to control traffic flow and enhance security. It limits the impact of breaches and isolates critical assets from potential threats.

  Random-Access Memory (RAM)

  Random-Access Memory (RAM) is volatile memory used by computers to store data and program instructions temporarily during operation. It holds data that is being actively accessed by the CPU, and its contents are lost when the computer is powered off.

  Order of Volatility

  Order of Volatility refers to the sequence in which digital evidence should be collected during incident response, based on its likelihood of preservation. It guides forensic investigators in preserving volatile data first (e.g., RAM) before collecting non-volatile data (e.g., disk storage).

  Non-Repudiation

  Non-Repudiation ensures that a party cannot deny the authenticity or integrity of a communication or transaction. It provides proof of origin and receipt of data, preventing disputes over the validity of digital signatures or exchanged information.

• Demonstrate Your Knowledge in Cybersecurity Governance, Risk, and Compliance

  Understanding cybersecurity governance, risk, and compliance is essential for effective organizational security management. Risk management, a core component of this discipline, involves identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks to protect critical assets and achieve business objectives. It encompasses the systematic process of evaluating potential threats, vulnerabilities, and impacts, and then applying controls and measures to minimize risk to an acceptable level. By integrating risk management practices into cybersecurity governance and compliance frameworks, organizations can proactively address security challenges and safeguard their information assets from potential threats and disruptions.

  Control Types

  Control types refer to different categories of security controls, such as administrative, technical, and physical controls. These controls are implemented to mitigate risks and enforce security policies within organizations.

  Risk Awareness

  Risk awareness involves understanding potential threats, vulnerabilities, and impacts on organizational assets. It promotes proactive risk management and decision-making to protect critical resources.

  Residual Risk

  Residual risk refers to the level of risk that remains after implementing risk mitigation measures. It represents the risk that an organization is willing to accept or retain based on its risk appetite.

  Risk Register

  A risk register is a document that records identified risks, their likelihood, potential impact, and mitigation strategies. It serves as a centralized repository for managing and monitoring risks throughout their lifecycle.

  Risk Acceptance

  Risk acceptance is a decision to acknowledge and tolerate a certain level of risk without taking further action to mitigate it. It occurs when the cost of implementing additional controls outweighs the potential impact of the risk.

  Information Life Cycle

  The information life cycle refers to the stages through which information passes, from creation and processing to storage, dissemination, and disposal. Proper management of the information life cycle ensures data integrity, confidentiality, and availability.

  Tokenization

  Tokenization is a data security technique that replaces sensitive data with non-sensitive tokens. It helps protect data confidentiality and reduces the impact of data breaches by limiting exposure to sensitive information.

  Risk Assessment Types

  Risk assessments can be qualitative or quantitative. Qualitative risk assessment uses descriptive scales to evaluate risks based on likelihood and impact. Quantitative risk assessment involves numerical analysis to measure risks in terms of monetary value or probability.

Sample Questions

The images below illustrate examples of questions that could appear in the exam. Please note that none of the finest questions will be released. These samples should, however, give you an indication of what to expect.

Which of the following would BEST provide detective and corrective controls for thermal regulation?



In a penetration test, what term describes the process of leveraging an already compromised system to attack other systems within the network?



Which of the following risk management practices involves transferring the financial burden of a potential loss?