Information Technology Specialist (ITS) Cybersecurity Practice Exam

The purpose of system monitoring in cybersecurity is primarily to identify anomalies in network activity. Through continuous surveillance of network traffic and system performance, organizations can detect unusual patterns or behaviors that may indicate a potential security breach, unauthorized access, or other malicious activities. By promptly identifying these anomalies, cybersecurity teams can respond to threats quickly, thereby minimizing potential damage and ensuring the integrity and safety of their systems.

In the context of the other options, maintaining hardware inventory and ensuring software licenses are up to date are important aspects of IT management, but they do not directly relate to the primary focus of system monitoring in cybersecurity. Similarly, analyzing financial data, while critical in its own right, is unrelated to the functions of monitoring network activity for security threats. Thus, the correct answer primarily highlights system monitoring's role in safeguarding against cyber threats by identifying inconsistencies that require further investigation.