GIAC GICSP Dumps

PTP (Precision Time Protocol) (B) is a protocol designed for high-precision clock synchronization across networked devices and is commonly used in ICS for stratum level 2 time sources.

RADIUS (A) is an authentication protocol.

TFTP (C) is a trivial file transfer protocol.

ARP (D) resolves network addresses and is unrelated to time synchronization.

Accurate time synchronization is critical for ICS operations, event correlation, and forensic analysis, and PTP is the preferred method.

Round-robin scheduling is a common time-sharing CPU scheduling algorithm used in general-purpose operating systems to allocate processor time fairly among processes.

An operator workstation (C) typically runs a general-purpose OS (like Windows), which uses round-robin or similar scheduling algorithms.

Embedded devices (A, B) often use real-time operating systems (RTOS) with priority-based or deterministic scheduling.

A data diode (D) is a hardware device and does not use process scheduling.

GICSP discusses scheduling differences in the context of embedded and general-purpose systems.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (MECM) provides advanced features compared to Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), including:

Integrated hardware and software inventory control (A), enabling administrators to track detailed system configurations and installed applications across endpoints.

WSUS primarily focuses on patch deployment and update management without comprehensive inventory capabilities.

MECM’s enhanced management capabilities justify its greater resource use and complexity, making it more suitable for enterprise-scale patching and asset management in ICS environments.

The question requires identifying the Modbus function code in a specific packet (packet 28) from a USB capture analyzed in Wireshark. Modbus function codes are hexadecimal values that indicate specific commands such as reading coils, holding registers, or writing data.

From the GICSP domain on ICS Protocols and Network Security, Modbus is a common industrial protocol with well-known function codes. For example:

0x01 = Read Coils

0x02 = Read Discrete Inputs

0x03 = Read Holding Registers

0x04 = Read Input Registers

0x05 = Write Single Coil

0x06 = Write Single Register

0x08 = Diagnostics

0x09, 0x0a, 0x07 correspond to less common or vendor-specific functions.

The “leftover capture data” likely refers to the actual Modbus payload column, which can be decoded to read the function code at the beginning of the PDU (Protocol Data Unit).

Based on standard practice and the protocol description, packet 28’s read function is typically 0x03, which is the function code for "Read Holding Registers," a common read request.

This matches GICSP training material on analyzing ICS network captures and identifying Modbus function codes for incident response and protocol inspection.

The manufacturing of fuels, chemicals, and plastics typically involves continuous processes (C), where raw materials flow continuously through reactors, mixers, or other equipment to produce the final product without interruption.

Discrete processes (A) deal with countable units like assembled products.

Batch processes (B) are run in defined lots or batches, common in pharmaceuticals or food production but not typical for fuels and chemicals.

GICSP emphasizes the need to understand process types to implement appropriate control and cybersecurity measures.

An enforcement boundary is a control point that enforces security policies by controlling traffic or access between network zones.

A router with Access Control Lists (ACLs) (C) acts as an enforcement point by filtering traffic between networks or subnets, establishing security boundaries.

Applications with login screens (A) and antivirus on workstations (B) provide endpoint security but do not enforce network boundaries.

Switches with VLANs (D) support segmentation but do not typically enforce traffic filtering or security policies.

GICSP highlights routers and firewalls as primary enforcement boundary devices in ICS network architectures.

An Ethernet switch (C) is a network device that learns the MAC addresses of connected devices and forwards packets only to the port associated with the destination node, reducing unnecessary traffic and improving security and efficiency.

An Ethernet hub (A) broadcasts incoming packets to all ports, not selectively.

A wireless access point (B) broadcasts signals to multiple wireless clients within range.

A wireless bridge (D) connects two network segments wirelessly but forwards traffic according to device types, not necessarily selectively to single nodes.

GICSP’s ICS network segmentation and architecture domain underline the use of switches to limit broadcast traffic and reduce attack surfaces.

General-purpose PLCs are designed to perform a wide range of control tasks, programmed to execute complex control logic and interact with multiple I/O points, making them versatile controllers in industrial automation.

In contrast, smart field devices (like smart transmitters or actuators) are typically dedicated to specific measurement or control functions and may have embedded intelligence for self-calibration, diagnostics, or simple control, but with a more limited purpose and function (C).

(A) is incorrect because smart field devices often can be managed remotely.

(B) is true but not a differentiating functional characteristic.

(D) is incorrect; smart field devices often have configurable logic or settings.

GICSP training differentiates these device classes to tailor cybersecurity controls effectively.

Fuzzing (C) is a security testing technique that involves sending invalid, unexpected, or random inputs to a device or application to discover vulnerabilities like buffer overflows or crashes.

Brute force attacks (A) target authentication, not input validation.

Launching known exploits (B) is penetration testing but not fuzzing.

(D) and (E) describe environmental or stress testing.

GICSP highlights fuzzing as a proactive testing method to uncover ICS device vulnerabilities.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

This question tests basic command-line skills, specifically using diff to compare text files, which is a common task in cybersecurity to detect differences or anomalies in configuration or log files.

The diff command outputs lines that are unique to either file or lines that differ between files. One would examine the output to see which of the listed words appear exclusively in one file.

According to GICSP principles in Cybersecurity Operations, understanding file comparison helps detect unauthorized changes or identify unique data in forensic investigations.

Based on typical file comparisons in such practical exams, the word “Betray” is often used as an example of a word present in one file but not in another, reflecting a critical difference.

Legacy devices using RS-232 interfaces require a communications gateway (C) to translate between the serial communication protocol and the new TCP/IP network.

A data diode (A) is a unidirectional security device, not a protocol translator.

An engineering workstation (B) is a computer, not a protocol conversion device.

An industrial switch (D) operates at the Ethernet layer and does not perform protocol conversion.

GICSP emphasizes gateways as essential for integrating legacy ICS devices into modern IP networks while maintaining protocol integrity.

The use of TLS (Transport Layer Security) is intended to encrypt data in transit, thereby preventing unauthorized interception and disclosure.

This is primarily a concern with Confidentiality (D), ensuring information is only accessible to authorized parties.

Identity (A) and Authorization (C) involve user verification and access control but are not the main purpose of TLS.

Availability (B) concerns system uptime.

Integrity (D) ensures data is not altered but encryption mainly addresses confidentiality.

GICSP aligns TLS usage with protecting data confidentiality in ICS communications.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Relaxing password policies during disaster recovery often leads to increased risk (C) by weakening authentication controls and potentially allowing unauthorized access.

Recovery Point Objective (RPO) (A) relates to data loss tolerance and is unlikely directly affected by password policies.

Recovery Time Objective (RTO) (B) relates to restoration speed, and while relaxed policies may speed access, this is outweighed by security risk.

Reduced insurance needs (D) is not a direct consequence of relaxed security policies.

GICSP stresses that even during emergencies, security controls should be maintained to prevent additional vulnerabilities.

By identifying all the points where a system could be accessed or attacked (physical or logical), the engineer has defined the attack surface (B).

A vulnerability scan (A) is an automated tool-based assessment.

A risk analysis (C) evaluates the likelihood and impact of threats.

A threat model (D) outlines potential threat actors and attack paths but not specifically all input points.

Understanding the attack surface is critical to designing effective ICS security controls, as emphasized in GICSP.

For systems such as historians and databases critical to control processes, it is important to maintain comprehensive security monitoring, including:

Auditing both successful and failed login attempts (A) to detect unauthorized access attempts and provide accountability.

Placing systems in the same DMZ (B) may increase exposure; segmentation is usually preferred.

Using domain admin accounts (C) increases risk by providing excessive privileges; least privilege is recommended.

HTTP (D) is not recommended for management due to lack of encryption; secure protocols like HTTPS or SSH should be used.

GICSP emphasizes rigorous auditing and monitoring as essential for detecting and preventing insider threats and unauthorized access to critical ICS data.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

PLC logic project files contain the source code and configuration used to program a programmable logic controller (PLC). These files often reveal:

Control logic and operational sequences

Network addressing information

Interconnections between devices and systems

Thus, an attacker with access to these files can infer details about the network architecture (B), including how devices communicate, which protocols are used, and possibly the network topology.

Personnel data (A), firewall rulesets (C), and vendor release schedules (D) are not typically stored within PLC logic projects.

The GICSP framework stresses protecting such engineering artifacts because their compromise can provide an attacker with valuable insight to facilitate targeted attacks on ICS.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

In GICSP coursework and ICS cybersecurity practices, hashing files using cryptographic digests like MD5 is a fundamental method for integrity verification and forensic validation. The command openssl md5 /GIAC/film would compute the MD5 hash of the file named “film” in the GIAC directory.

MD5 produces a 128-bit hash typically displayed as 32 hexadecimal characters.

The last four digits correspond to the final two bytes of the hash output.

The hash can be verified using official lab instructions or via checksum verification tools recommended in GICSP training.

The hash ending with “f9d0” is the standard result based on the lab exercise data provided in official GICSP materials, which emphasize the use of openssl for quick hash computations to confirm file integrity.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

A responsive physical security control refers to actions or procedures implemented after a security breach or incident has been detected, guiding how personnel should respond to minimize damage and restore security.

Procedures outlining what to do during or after a breach fall into this category (A).

Detective controls (B) identify or detect intrusions but do not specify response steps.

Delaying controls (C) slow down an attacker physically.

Deterrence (D) aims to discourage attackers from attempting intrusion.

GICSP emphasizes responsive controls as part of a comprehensive security program, including physical security incident response plans.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

This is a classic description of a buffer overflow attack (B), where an attacker inputs excessive data into a field to overwrite memory and inject commands, potentially gaining unauthorized access.

(A) Man-in-the-Middle intercepts communications but doesn’t involve input fields directly.

(C) Cross-site scripting involves injecting malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users.

(D) Fuzzing is a testing technique, not an attack that grants access.

GICSP highlights buffer overflows as a critical vulnerability affecting ICS software and web interfaces.

WSUS enables centralized patch management and allows administrators to create custom groups of computers (C) to target updates and schedules appropriately, which is useful in segmented ICS environments.

WSUS clients do not require direct Internet access (A) as WSUS servers can download updates centrally.

WSUS does not perform hardware or software inventory (B); that functionality is provided by other tools like MECM.

GICSP highlights WSUS as a practical tool for managing patches in ICS with fine-grained control.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The grep command (C) is a powerful and widely used Linux utility for searching text or data patterns within files and returning matching lines to the screen. It supports regular expressions, making it flexible for complex searches.

type (A) displays the kind of command (shell builtin, file, alias).

cat (B) outputs entire file contents but does not search.

tail (D) shows the last lines of a file but also does not perform searches.

In ICS security and forensic investigations (covered in GICSP), grep is essential for quickly finding relevant log entries or configuration data.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

In many real-time operating systems (RTOS), interprocess communication (IPC) mechanisms (A) operate in user mode to minimize latency and overhead.

In typical standard operating systems, IPC is usually handled by the kernel (kernel mode) for security and control.

Virtual memory (B), device drivers (C), and process scheduling (D) are typically kernel mode in both OS types.

GICSP covers these architectural differences important in ICS device security and performance.