- A
Exclude the web server from future scans to reduce the number of false positives.
Why wrong: Excluding assets reduces visibility and is contrary to vulnerability management principles.
- B
Increase the frequency of vulnerability scans from quarterly to monthly.
More frequent scans reduce the window of exposure and ensure timely identification of issues.
- C
Implement a policy to automatically close vulnerabilities after 90 days if no remediation action is taken.
Why wrong: Closing unresolved vulnerabilities without remediation is not a best practice; it hides risk.
- D
Schedule the next scan to occur during peak business hours to capture real-world traffic.
Why wrong: Scan timing does not affect the recurrence of critical vulnerabilities; frequency is key.
- E
Implement virtual patching or web application firewall rules to mitigate the vulnerabilities.
Compensating controls provide temporary risk reduction until patches are applied.
CS0-003 Vulnerability Management Practice Question
This CS0-003 practice question tests your understanding of vulnerability 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 security analyst is reviewing the results of a vulnerability scan. The scan identified several critical vulnerabilities on a web server that were previously reported three months ago. Which TWO actions should the analyst take to improve the vulnerability management process?
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
Increase the frequency of vulnerability scans from quarterly to monthly.
Option B is correct because increasing scan frequency from quarterly to monthly reduces the window of exposure for newly introduced vulnerabilities. Since the same critical vulnerabilities were present for three months, more frequent scanning ensures faster detection and remediation, aligning with continuous monitoring best practices in vulnerability management.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Exclude the web server from future scans to reduce the number of false positives.
Why it's wrong here
Excluding assets reduces visibility and is contrary to vulnerability management principles.
- ✓
Increase the frequency of vulnerability scans from quarterly to monthly.
Why this is correct
More frequent scans reduce the window of exposure and ensure timely identification of issues.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Implement a policy to automatically close vulnerabilities after 90 days if no remediation action is taken.
Why it's wrong here
Closing unresolved vulnerabilities without remediation is not a best practice; it hides risk.
- ✗
Schedule the next scan to occur during peak business hours to capture real-world traffic.
Why it's wrong here
Scan timing does not affect the recurrence of critical vulnerabilities; frequency is key.
- ✓
Implement virtual patching or web application firewall rules to mitigate the vulnerabilities.
Why this is correct
Compensating controls provide temporary risk reduction until patches are applied.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the distinction between remediation (fixing the root cause) and mitigation (reducing risk without fixing), leading candidates to overlook that virtual patching is a valid interim action even though it does not permanently resolve the vulnerability.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Vulnerability scanners like Nessus or Qualys use plugin-based checks against CVE databases; increasing scan frequency reduces the mean time to detect (MTTD) but must be balanced with network load. Virtual patching (Option E) via a WAF (e.g., ModSecurity rules) can block exploit attempts at layer 7 without modifying the underlying application, providing a temporary risk reduction while permanent patches are developed. In real-world scenarios, organizations often combine monthly scans with continuous monitoring tools (e.g., SIEM) to catch zero-day threats between scans.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CS0-003 question test?
Vulnerability Management — This question tests Vulnerability Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Increase the frequency of vulnerability scans from quarterly to monthly. — Option B is correct because increasing scan frequency from quarterly to monthly reduces the window of exposure for newly introduced vulnerabilities. Since the same critical vulnerabilities were present for three months, more frequent scanning ensures faster detection and remediation, aligning with continuous monitoring best practices in vulnerability management.
What should I do if I get this CS0-003 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 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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