As a security team member, which event should be monitored for potential intruder activity?

Monitoring failed login attempts is critical for identifying potential intruder activity because such attempts can indicate unauthorized attempts to access a system. When multiple failed login attempts occur, especially from the same source IP address or within a short timeframe, it suggests that someone may be trying to guess passwords or gain unauthorized access. This is a common tactic used by attackers to breach security measures, making it essential for security teams to keep an eye on these events to detect and respond to threats promptly.

In contrast, while user account deletions, increased network traffic, and unscheduled software updates are also important to monitor, they don’t directly indicate attempted intrusions as clearly as failed login attempts do. User account deletions could relate to administrative actions rather than hacking attempts. Increased network traffic may result from legitimate users, and unscheduled software updates generally pertain to system maintenance rather than security breaches. Therefore, failed login attempts serve as a more immediate and specific indicator of potential intruder activity, making their monitoring a top priority for security awareness.