Splunk SPLK-5002 Exam Questions
Splunk Certified Cybersecurity Defense Engineer (Page 6 )

Updated On: 21-Feb-2026

What is the primary purpose of data indexing in Splunk?

  1. To ensure data normalization
  2. To store raw data and enable fast search capabilities
  3. To secure data from unauthorized access
  4. To visualize data using dashboards

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

Understanding Data Indexing in Splunk
In Splunk Enterprise Security (ES) and Splunk SOAR, data indexing is a fundamental process that enables efficient storage, retrieval, and searching of data.
Why is Data Indexing Important?
Stores raw machine data (logs, events, metrics) in a structured manner. Enables fast searching through optimized data storage techniques. Uses an indexer to process, compress, and store data efficiently.
Why the Correct Answer is B?
Splunk indexes data to store it efficiently while ensuring fast retrieval for searches, correlation searches, and analytics.
It assigns metadata to indexed events, allowing SOC analysts to quickly filter and search logs.
Incorrect Answers & Explanations
A . To ensure data normalization Splunk normalizes data using Common Information Model (CIM), not indexing.
C . To secure data from unauthorized access Splunk uses RBAC (Role-Based Access Control) and encryption for security, not indexing.
D . To visualize data using dashboards Dashboards use indexed data for visualization, but indexing itself is focused on data storage and retrieval.
Additional Resources:
Splunk Data Indexing Documentation
Splunk Architecture & Indexing Guide



Which features are crucial for validating integrations in Splunk SOAR? (Choose three)

  1. Testing API connectivity
  2. Monitoring data ingestion rates
  3. Verifying authentication methods
  4. Evaluating automated action performance
  5. Increasing indexer capacity

Answer(s): A,C,D

Explanation:

Validating Integrations in Splunk SOAR
Splunk SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response) integrates with various security tools to automate security workflows. Proper validation of integrations ensures that playbooks, threat intelligence feeds, and incident response actions function as expected.
Key Features for Validating Integrations
1 Testing API Connectivity (A)
Ensures Splunk SOAR can communicate with external security tools (firewalls, EDR, SIEM, etc.). Uses API testing tools like Postman or Splunk SOAR's built-in Test Connectivity feature.
2 Verifying Authentication Methods (C)
Confirms that integrations use the correct authentication type (OAuth, API Key, Username/Password, etc.).
Prevents failed automations due to expired or incorrect credentials.
3 Evaluating Automated Action Performance (D)
Monitors how well automated security actions (e.g., blocking IPs, isolating endpoints) perform. Helps optimize playbook execution time and response accuracy.
Incorrect Answers & Explanations
B . Monitoring data ingestion rates Data ingestion is crucial for Splunk Enterprise, but not a core integration validation step for SOAR.
E . Increasing indexer capacity This is related to Splunk Enterprise data indexing, not Splunk SOAR integration validation.
Additional Resources:
Splunk SOAR Administration Guide
Splunk SOAR Playbook Validation
Splunk SOAR API Integrations



How can you incorporate additional context into notable events generated by correlation searches?

  1. By adding enriched fields during search execution
  2. By using the dedup command in SPL
  3. By configuring additional indexers
  4. By optimizing the search head memory

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

In Splunk Enterprise Security (ES), notable events are generated by correlation searches, which are predefined searches designed to detect security incidents by analyzing logs and alerts from multiple data sources. Adding additional context to these notable events enhances their value for analysts and improves the efficiency of incident response.
To incorporate additional context, you can:
Use lookup tables to enrich data with information such as asset details, threat intelligence, and user identity.
Leverage KV Store or external enrichment sources like CMDB (Configuration Management Database) and identity management solutions.

Apply Splunk macros or eval commands to transform and enhance event data dynamically. Use Adaptive Response Actions in Splunk ES to pull additional information into a notable event. The correct answer is A. By adding enriched fields during search execution, because enrichment occurs dynamically during search execution, ensuring that additional fields (such as geolocation, asset owner, and risk score) are included in the notable event.


Reference:

Splunk ES Documentation on Notable Event Enrichment
Correlation Search Best Practices
Using Lookups for Data Enrichment



What is the primary purpose of correlation searches in Splunk?

  1. To extract and index raw data
  2. To identify patterns and relationships between multiple data sources
  3. To create dashboards for real-time monitoring
  4. To store pre-aggregated search results

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

Correlation searches in Splunk Enterprise Security (ES) are a critical component of Security Operations Center (SOC) workflows, designed to detect threats by analyzing security data from multiple sources.
Primary Purpose of Correlation Searches:
Identify threats and anomalies: They detect patterns and suspicious activity by correlating logs, alerts, and events from different sources.
Automate security monitoring: By continuously running searches on ingested data, correlation searches help reduce manual efforts for SOC analysts.
Generate notable events: When a correlation search identifies a security risk, it creates a notable event in Splunk ES for investigation.
Trigger security automation: In combination with Splunk SOAR, correlation searches can initiate automated response actions, such as isolating endpoints or blocking malicious IPs. Since correlation searches analyze relationships and patterns across multiple data sources to detect security threats, the correct answer is B. To identify patterns and relationships between multiple data sources.


Reference:

Splunk ES Correlation Searches Overview
Best Practices for Correlation Searches
Splunk ES Use Cases and Notable Events



Which practices strengthen the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)? (Choose three)

  1. Regular updates based on feedback
  2. Focusing solely on high-risk scenarios
  3. Collaborating with cross-functional teams
  4. Including detailed step-by-step instructions
  5. Excluding historical incident data

Answer(s): A,C,D

Explanation:

Why Are These Practices Essential for SOP Development? Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are crucial for ensuring consistent, repeatable, and effective security operations in a Security Operations Center (SOC). Strengthening SOP development ensures efficiency, clarity, and adaptability in responding to incidents.
1 Regular Updates Based on Feedback (Answer A)
Security threats evolve, and SOPs must be updated based on real-world incidents, analyst feedback, and lessons learned.
Example: A new ransomware variant is detected; the SOP is updated to include a specific containment playbook in Splunk SOAR.
2 Collaborating with Cross-Functional Teams (Answer C) Effective SOPs require input from SOC analysts, threat hunters, IT, compliance teams, and DevSecOps.
Ensures that all relevant security and business perspectives are covered. Example: A SOC team collaborates with DevOps to ensure that a cloud security response SOP aligns with AWS security controls.
3 Including Detailed Step-by-Step Instructions (Answer D) SOPs should provide clear, actionable, and standardized steps for security analysts. Example: A Splunk ES incident response SOP should include:
How to investigate a security alert using correlation searches.
How to escalate incidents based on risk levels.
How to trigger a Splunk SOAR playbook for automated remediation.
Why Not the Other Options?
B . Focusing solely on high-risk scenarios ­ All security events matter, not just high-risk ones. Low- level alerts can be early indicators of larger threats. E. Excluding historical incident data ­ Past incidents provide valuable lessons to improve SOPs and incident response workflows.

Reference & Learning Resources
Best Practices for SOPs in Cybersecurity: https://www.nist.gov/cybersecurity-framework Splunk SOAR Playbook SOP Development: https://docs.splunk.com/Documentation/SOAR Incident Response SOPs with Splunk: https://splunkbase.splunk.com






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