- A
Reset the account password and enable MFA.
Why wrong: While these are important, the first step must be to disable the account to stop ongoing unauthorized access immediately.
- B
Disable the account to prevent further access.
Disabling the account is the first containment step; it stops the attacker from using the credentials while the investigation and remediation proceed.
- C
Review the server logs to determine the extent of the breach.
Why wrong: Log review is important for investigation, but containment (disabling the account) should come first to prevent further damage.
- D
Notify the employee's manager and HR department.
Why wrong: Notification is part of the incident response process, but the immediate technical step is to disable the compromised account.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to disable the account immediately. This is the first step in compromised account remediation because containment must always precede investigation; by disabling the account, you cut off the attacker’s current session and prevent any further unauthorized access to the server or network resources. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your understanding of the incident response order of operations—specifically that you contain the threat before resetting passwords or enabling MFA. A common trap is choosing “force a password reset” first, but that does nothing if the attacker is still logged in or has established persistence. Remember the memory tip: “Disable first, reset second, investigate third”—think of it as locking the door before changing the locks.
220-1202 PC Security Issue Remediation Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of pc security issue remediation. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A technician is responding to a security incident where an employee's credentials were used to access a server without authorization. The employee claims they did not perform the action. Which of the following should the technician do first to remediate the compromised account?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"first"Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Disable the account to prevent further access.
The immediate step is to disable the compromised account to prevent further unauthorized access. Then the technician should force a password reset and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) to secure the account. Logging and investigation follow containment.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Reset the account password and enable MFA.
Why it's wrong here
While these are important, the first step must be to disable the account to stop ongoing unauthorized access immediately.
- ✓
Disable the account to prevent further access.
Why this is correct
Disabling the account is the first containment step; it stops the attacker from using the credentials while the investigation and remediation proceed.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✗
Review the server logs to determine the extent of the breach.
Why it's wrong here
Log review is important for investigation, but containment (disabling the account) should come first to prevent further damage.
- ✗
Notify the employee's manager and HR department.
Why it's wrong here
Notification is part of the incident response process, but the immediate technical step is to disable the compromised account.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication checks who the user is.
- Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
- Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
- AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
- Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
- Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
- Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related 220-1202 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1202 question test?
PC Security Issue Remediation — This question tests PC Security Issue Remediation — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Disable the account to prevent further access. — The immediate step is to disable the compromised account to prevent further unauthorized access. Then the technician should force a password reset and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) to secure the account. Logging and investigation follow containment.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related 220-1202 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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Last reviewed: Jun 19, 2026
This 220-1202 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1202 exam.
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