Sophos Certified Engineer Practice Exam

Which component is critical for identifying and managing ransomware attacks?

1. Web Filtering

2. Threat Protection

3. Application Control

4. Data Loss Prevention

The correct answer is: Threat Protection

The choice of Threat Protection as the correct answer is highly appropriate when it comes to identifying and managing ransomware attacks. Threat protection encompasses a range of security measures designed to detect, prevent, and respond to various forms of malware, including ransomware. This component typically includes advanced detection mechanisms such as behavior-based monitoring, heuristic analysis, and signature-based detection, all of which are essential for spotting ransomware activities, such as unauthorized encryption of files or suspicious file behavior. Ransomware is inherently a type of malware that encrypts a victim's files and demands payment for the decryption keys. Effective threat protection solutions actively monitor file actions and processes, allowing them to identify potentially malicious behaviors indicative of ransomware attempts. Consequently, having a strong threat protection mechanism in place significantly enhances an organization’s capability to thwart ransomware before it can cause serious damage. Other components, while valuable for their respective roles in cybersecurity, do not specifically target ransomware in the same comprehensive manner as threat protection does.