Which two components reduce the attack surface on an endpoint? (Choose two.)

Which two components reduce the attack surface on an endpoint? (Choose two.)
A . secure boot
B . load balancing
C . increased audit log levels
D . restricting USB ports
E . full packet captures at the endpoint

View Answer

Answer: A, D

Explanation:

Secure boot and restricting USB ports are two components that can reduce the attack surface on an endpoint. The attack surface is the sum of all paths for data into and out of the environment. Reducing the attack surface means minimizing the number and complexity of these paths, and thus reducing the opportunities for attackers to exploit vulnerabilities or gain unauthorized access. Secure boot is a feature that ensures that only trusted and verified code can run during the boot process, preventing malware or unauthorized software from compromising the system. Restricting USB ports is a policy that limits the use of USB devices, such as flash drives or external hard drives, that can introduce malware or exfiltrate data from the endpoint.

Reference: [Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) – Module 4: Network Intrusion Analysis], [Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) – Module 5: Security Policies and Procedures]