CS0-003 Security Operations Practice Question
A security analyst is configuring a vulnerability scanner for internal infrastructure. Management wants to minimize disruption to critical systems while ensuring accurate results. Which scan configuration should the analyst recommend?
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
✓
Credentialed agent-based scans during off-peak hours
Credentialed scans provide more accurate results by accessing the system deeply, but they can cause load. Agent-based scans reduce network load and allow scheduling, minimizing disruption.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Non-credentialed scans during business hours
Why it's wrong here
Non-credentialed scans only see the system as an unauthenticated outsider would, missing local misconfigurations and missing patches visible only via authenticated checks, and running them during business hours adds network load and probe traffic right when critical systems are under peak production use.
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External scans only
Why it's wrong here
External scans assess internet-facing assets only, so internal hosts and services go unexamined, failing the accuracy requirement. They tempt because external scanning is the correct choice when the scope is perimeter exposure, not internal infrastructure.
- ✓
Credentialed agent-based scans during off-peak hours
Why this is correct
Agent-based scanning runs locally on each host and reports findings without the scanner sending intrusive network probes across the wire, and scheduling those scans for off-peak hours further ensures any residual resource usage does not compete with production workloads, directly satisfying both the accuracy and minimal-disruption requirements.
- ✗
Continuous non-credentialed scans
Why it's wrong here
Running scans continuously without credentials combines the worst of both concerns: constant network probing sustains ongoing load on critical systems around the clock, while the lack of authentication still produces an incomplete, less accurate picture of actual vulnerabilities present.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
API Security Testing and Analysis
Key term
Security
Security in IT is the practice of protecting systems, networks, and data from unauthorized access, damage, or theft.
Key term
Vulnerability scanner
A vulnerability scanner is an automated tool that identifies security weaknesses in systems, networks, and applications by comparing their configurations and software versions against known vulnerability databases.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CS0-004 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 CS0-004 exam.