- A
Apply security patches to vulnerable systems
Correct. Patching addresses root cause.
- B
Rotate all privileged account credentials
Correct. Credential rotation prevents use of compromised accounts.
- C
Isolate the infected systems from the network
Why wrong: Network isolation is short-term containment.
- D
Block the ransomware's C2 domain at the firewall
Why wrong: This is short-term containment.
- E
Rebuild affected servers from clean backups
Correct. Rebuilding ensures removal of malware.
Question 738 of 1,000
CS0-003 Incident Response and Management Practice Question
This CS0-003 practice question tests your understanding of incident response and management. 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 company has experienced a ransomware attack that encrypted critical servers. The incident response team is in the containment, eradication, and recovery phase. Which THREE actions are part of long-term containment? (Choose three.)
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
✓
Apply security patches to vulnerable systems
Long-term containment involves actions to prevent recurrence, such as patching, rebuilding systems, and rotating credentials.
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.
- ✓
Apply security patches to vulnerable systems
Why this is correct
Correct. Patching addresses root cause.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✓
Rotate all privileged account credentials
Why this is correct
Correct. Credential rotation prevents use of compromised accounts.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✗
Isolate the infected systems from the network
Why it's wrong here
Network isolation is short-term containment.
- ✗
Block the ransomware's C2 domain at the firewall
Why it's wrong here
This is short-term containment.
- ✓
Rebuild affected servers from clean backups
Why this is correct
Correct. Rebuilding ensures removal of malware.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
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 security team runs a vulnerability scan on a web application and discovers an unpatched SQL injection flaw. The team prioritises remediation by CVSS score — critical flaws are patched within 24 hours, high within 7 days. Questions like this test whether you understand vulnerability management processes, scanning tools, and remediation prioritisation.
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 CS0-003 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
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Incident Response and Management — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CS0-003 question test?
Incident Response and Management — This question tests Incident Response and Management — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Apply security patches to vulnerable systems — Long-term containment involves actions to prevent recurrence, such as patching, rebuilding systems, and rotating credentials.
What should I do if I get this CS0-003 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 CS0-003 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This CS0-003 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 CS0-003 exam.
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