Configuring Phantom search to use an external Splunk server provides which of the following
benefits?
C
Explanation:
The correct answer is C because configuring Phantom search to use an external Splunk server allows
you to automate Splunk searches within Phantom using the run query action. This action can be used
to run any Splunk search command on the external Splunk server and return the results to Phantom.
You can also use the format results action to parse the results and use them in other blocks.
See
Splunk SOAR Documentation
for more details.
Configuring Phantom (now known as Splunk SOAR) to use an external Splunk server enhances the
automation capabilities within Phantom by allowing the execution of Splunk searches as part of the
automation and orchestration processes. This integration facilitates the automation of tasks that
involve querying data from Splunk, thereby streamlining security operations and incident response
workflows. Splunk SOAR's ability to integrate with over 300 third-party tools, including Splunk,
supports a wide range of automatable actions, thus enabling a more efficient and effective security
operations center (SOC) by reducing the time to respond to threats and by making repetitive tasks
more manageable
https://www.splunk.com/en_us/products/splunk-security-orchestration-and-automation-features.html
Within the 12A2 design methodology, which of the following most accurately describes the last step?
C
Explanation:
The correct answer is C because the last step of the 12A2 design methodology is to list the outputs of
the playbook design. The outputs are the expected results or outcomes of the playbook execution,
such as sending an email, creating a ticket, blocking an IP, etc. The outputs should be aligned with the
objectives and goals of the playbook. See
Splunk SOAR Certified Automation Developer
for more
details.
The 12A2 design methodology in the context of Splunk SOAR (formerly Phantom) refers to a
structured approach to developing playbooks. The last step in this methodology focuses on defining
the outputs of the playbook design. This step is crucial as it outlines what the expected results or
actions the playbook should achieve upon its completion. These outputs can vary widely, from
sending notifications, creating tickets, updating statuses, to generating reports. Defining the outputs
is essential for understanding the playbook's impact on the security operation workflows and how it
contributes to resolving security incidents or automating tasks.
Which of the following are the steps required to complete a full backup of a Splunk Phantom
deployment' Assume the commands are executed from /opt/phantom/bin and that no other
backups have been made.
B
Explanation:
The correct answer is B because the steps required to complete a full backup of a Splunk Phantom
deployment are to first run the --backup --backup-type full command and then run the --
setup command. The --backup command creates a backup file in the /opt/phantom/backup
directory. The --backup-type full option specifies that the backup file includes all the data and
configuration files of the Phantom server. The --setup command creates a configuration file that
contains the encryption key and other information needed to restore the backup file. See
Splunk
SOAR Certified Automation Developer Track
for more details.
Performing a full backup of a Splunk Phantom deployment involves using the command-line
interface, primarily because Phantom's architecture and data management processes are designed
to be managed at the server level for comprehensive backup and recovery. The correct sequence
involves initiating a full backup first using the --backup --backup-type full option to ensure all
configurations, data, and necessary components are included in the backup. Following the
completion of the backup, the --setup option might be used to configure or verify the backup
settings, although typically, the setup would precede backup operations in practical scenarios. This
process ensures that all aspects of the Phantom deployment are preserved, including configurations,
playbooks, cases, and other data, which is crucial for disaster recovery and system migration.
An active playbook can be configured to operate on all containers that share which attribute?
B
Explanation:
The correct answer is B because an active playbook can be configured to operate on all containers
that share a label. A label is a user-defined attribute that can be applied to containers to group them
by a common characteristic, such as source, type, severity, etc. Labels can be used to filter containers
and trigger active playbooks based on the label value. See
Splunk SOAR Documentation
for more
details.
In Splunk SOAR, labels are used to categorize containers (such as incidents or events) based on their
characteristics or the type of security issue they represent. An active playbook can be configured to
trigger on all containers that share a specific label, enabling targeted automation based on the
nature of the incident. This functionality allows for efficient and relevant playbook execution,
ensuring that the automated response is tailored to the specific requirements of the container's
category. Labels serve as a powerful organizational tool within SOAR, guiding the automated
response framework to act on incidents that meet predefined criteria, thus streamlining the security
operations process.
Which of the following applies to filter blocks?
C
Explanation:
The correct answer is C because filter blocks can be used to select data for use by other blocks. Filter
blocks can filter data from the container, artifacts, or custom lists based on various criteria, such as
field name, value, operator, etc. Filter blocks can also join data from multiple sources using
the join action. The output of the filter block can be used as input for other blocks, such as decision,
format, prompt, etc. See
Splunk SOAR Documentation
for more details.
Filter blocks within Splunk SOAR playbooks are designed to sift through data and select specific
pieces of information based on defined criteria. These blocks are crucial for narrowing down the data
that subsequent blocks in a playbook will act upon. By applying filters, a playbook can focus on
relevant data, thereby enhancing efficiency and ensuring that actions are taken based on precise,
contextually relevant information. This capability is essential for tailoring the playbook's actions to
the specific needs of the incident or workflow, enabling more targeted and effective automation
strategies. Filters do not directly select blocks for container data access, choose assets by various
administrative criteria, or select containers by attributes like severity or status; their primary function
is to refine data within the playbook's operational context.
A user has written a playbook that calls three other playbooks, one after the other. The user notices
that the second playbook starts executing before the first one completes. What is the cause of this
behavior?
D
Explanation:
The correct answer is D because synchronous execution has not been configured. Synchronous
execution is a feature that allows you to control the order of execution of playbook blocks. By
default, Phantom executes playbook blocks asynchronously, meaning that it does not wait for one
block to finish before starting the next one. This can cause problems when you have dependencies
between blocks or when you call other playbooks. To enable synchronous execution, you need to use
the sync action in the run playbook block and specify the name of the next block to run after the
called playbook completes. See
Splunk SOAR Documentation
for more details.
In Splunk SOAR, playbooks can be executed either synchronously or asynchronously. Synchronous
execution ensures that a playbook waits for a called playbook to complete before proceeding to the
next step. If the second playbook starts executing before the first one completes, it indicates that
synchronous execution was not configured for the playbooks. Without synchronous execution,
playbooks will execute independently of each other's completion status, leading to potential
overlaps in execution. This behavior can be controlled by properly configuring the playbook
execution settings to ensure that dependent playbooks complete their tasks in the desired order.
A customer wants to design a modular and reusable set of playbooks that all communicate with each
other. Which of the following is a best practice for data sharing across playbooks?
C
Explanation:
The correct answer is C because creating artifacts using one playbook and collecting those artifacts in
another playbook is a best practice for data sharing across playbooks. Artifacts are data objects that
are associated with a container and can be used to store information such as IP addresses, URLs, file
hashes, etc. Artifacts can be created using the add artifact action in any playbook block and can be
collected using the get artifacts action in the filter block. Artifacts can also be used to trigger active
playbooks based on their label or type. See
Splunk SOAR Documentation
for more details.
In the context of Splunk SOAR, one of the best practices for data sharing across playbooks is to create
artifacts in one playbook and use another playbook to collect and utilize those artifacts. Artifacts in
Splunk SOAR are structured data related to security incidents (containers) that playbooks can act
upon. By creating artifacts in one playbook, you can effectively pass data and context to subsequent
playbooks, allowing for modular, reusable, and interconnected playbook designs. This approach
promotes efficiency, reduces redundancy, and enhances the playbook's ability to handle complex
workflows.
Which of the following are examples of things commonly done with the Phantom REST APP
C
Explanation:
The Phantom REST API, often interacted with through the Phantom REST APP, is a powerful tool for
automating and integrating Splunk SOAR with other systems. Common uses of the Phantom REST
APP include using Django queries to interact with the SOAR database, using curl commands to
programmatically create containers and add artifacts to them, and configuring action blocks within
playbooks for automated actions. This flexibility allows for a wide range of automation and
integration possibilities, enhancing the SOAR platform's capability to respond to security incidents
and manage data.
Which of the following are the default ports that must be configured on Splunk to allow connections
from Phantom?
D
Explanation:
The correct answer is D because the default ports that must be configured on Splunk to allow
connections from Phantom are SplunkWeb (8000), SplunkD (8089), and HTTP Collector (8088).
SplunkWeb is the port used to access the Splunk web interface. SplunkD is the port used to
communicate with the Splunk server. HTTP Collector is the port used to send data to Splunk using the
HTTP Event Collector (HEC). These ports must be configured on Splunk and Phantom to enable the
integration between the two products. See
Splunk SOAR Documentation
for more details.
To allow connections from Splunk Phantom to Splunk, certain default ports need to be open and
properly configured. The default ports include SplunkWeb (8000) for web access, SplunkD (8089) for
Splunk's management port, and the HTTP Event Collector (HEC) on port 8088, which is used for
ingesting data into Splunk. These ports are essential for the communication between Splunk
Phantom and Splunk, facilitating data exchange, search capabilities, and the integration of various
functionalities between the two platforms.
Without customizing container status within Phantom, what are the three types of status for a
container?
A
Explanation:
Within Splunk SOAR, containers (which represent incidents, cases, or events) have a lifecycle that is
tracked through their status. The default statuses available without any customization are "New", "In
Progress", and "Closed". These statuses help in organizing and managing the incident response
process, allowing users to easily track the progress of investigations and responses from initial
detection through to resolution.
Splunk user account(s) with which roles must be created to configure Phantom with an external
Splunk Enterprise instance?
A
Explanation:
When configuring Splunk Phantom to integrate with an external Splunk Enterprise instance, it is
typically required to have user accounts with sufficient privileges to access data and perform
necessary actions. The roles of "superuser" and "administrator" in Splunk provide the broad set of
permissions needed for such integration, enabling comprehensive access to data, management
capabilities, and the execution of searches or actions that Phantom may require as part of its
automated playbooks or investigations.
Phantom supports multiple user authentication methods such as LDAP and SAML2. What other user
authentication method is supported?
B
Explanation:
Splunk SOAR supports multiple user authentication methods to ensure secure access to the platform.
Apart from LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) and SAML2 (Security Assertion Markup
Language 2.0), SOAR also supports PIV (Personal Identity Verification) and CAC (Common Access
Card) as authentication methods. These are particularly used in government and military
organizations for secure and authenticated access to systems, providing a high level of security
through physical tokens or cards that contain encrypted user credentials.
During a second test of a playbook, a user receives an error that states: 'an empty parameters list was
passed to phantom.act()." What does this indicate?
A
Explanation:
The error message "an empty parameters list was passed to phantom.act()" typically indicates that
the action being called by the playbook does not have the required parameters to execute. This can
happen if the playbook expects certain data to be present in the container's artifacts but finds none.
Artifacts in Splunk SOAR (Phantom) are data elements associated with a container (such as an event
or alert) that playbooks can act upon. If a playbook action is designed to use data from artifacts as
parameters and those artifacts are missing or do not contain the expected data, the playbook cannot
execute the action properly, leading to this error.
What does a user need to do to have a container with an event from Splunk use context-aware
actions designed for notable events?
C
Explanation:
For a container in Splunk SOAR to utilize context-aware actions designed for notable events from
Splunk, it is crucial to ensure that the notable event's unique identifier (event_id) is included in the
search results pulled into SOAR. Moreover, by adding a Common Event Format (CEF) definition for
the event_id field within Phantom, and setting its data type to something that denotes it as a Splunk
notable event ID, SOAR can recognize and appropriately handle these identifiers. This setup
facilitates the correct mapping and processing of notable event data within SOAR, enabling the
execution of context-aware actions that are specifically tailored to the characteristics of Splunk
notable events.
After enabling multi-tenancy, which of the Mowing is the first configuration step?
D
Explanation:
Upon enabling multi-tenancy in Splunk SOAR, the first step in configuration typically involves setting
up the default tenant. This foundational step is critical as it establishes the primary operating
environment under which subsequent tenants can be created and managed. The default tenant
serves as the template for permissions, settings, and configurations that might be inherited or
customized by additional tenants. Proper configuration of the default tenant ensures a stable and
consistent framework for multi-tenancy operations, allowing for segregated environments within the
same SOAR instance, each tailored to specific operational needs or organizational units.