Cisco Cyber Security Practice Exam

What is a decoy system that mimics a server in an organization's network called?

1. Firewall

2. Virtual Private Network

3. Honeypot

4. Proxy Server

The correct answer is: Honeypot

A decoy system that mimics a server in an organization's network is referred to as a honeypot. Honeypots are designed to attract cyber attackers by simulating vulnerabilities and valuable data, thereby serving as a trap. When attackers engage with the honeypot, administrators can observe their techniques, motivations, and strategies without risking the integrity of the actual production environment. This provides valuable insights into emerging threats and how to defend against them. In contrast to a honeypot, a firewall is primarily a security device that controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. A virtual private network (VPN) focuses on securing communication channels over the internet, ensuring privacy and anonymity for users. Meanwhile, a proxy server acts as an intermediary for requests from clients seeking resources from other servers, primarily used for anonymity, caching, and content filtering. Each of these components plays a different role in network security, but they don’t serve the specific purpose of acting as a decoy to lure attackers as honeypots do.