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.
An analyst is reviewing scan results and finds that a critical vulnerability is present on 50 workstations. The vendor has released a patch, but the IT team is concerned about potential compatibility issues. Which of the following should the analyst recommend?
Remove the vulnerable software
Why wrong: This may disrupt business operations unnecessarily.
Test the patch on a subset before full deployment
Pilot testing identifies issues before full rollout.
Apply a workaround from the vendor
Why wrong: Workarounds may not fully address the vulnerability.
Deploy the patch to all workstations immediately
Why wrong: Risks widespread issues if the patch causes problems.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Test the patch on a subset before full deployment
Option B is correct because the IT team's concern about compatibility issues necessitates a controlled rollout. Testing the patch on a subset of workstations allows the analyst to validate that the patch does not break critical business applications or system functionality before full deployment, aligning with the vulnerability management principle of staged patching to minimize operational risk.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Remove the vulnerable software
Why it's wrong here
This may disrupt business operations unnecessarily.
Test the patch on a subset before full deployment
Why this is correct
Pilot testing identifies issues before full rollout.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Apply a workaround from the vendor
Why it's wrong here
Workarounds may not fully address the vulnerability.
Deploy the patch to all workstations immediately
Why it's wrong here
Risks widespread issues if the patch causes problems.
Common exam traps
CompTIA often tests the misconception that immediate patching is always the best response, but the trap here is that the question explicitly highlights 'potential compatibility issues,' requiring the candidate to prioritize risk management over speed, making 'test on a subset' the correct choice over 'deploy immediately.'
Detailed technical explanation
In vulnerability management, staged patching involves deploying patches to a pilot group (e.g., 5-10% of workstations) and monitoring for regressions using tools like Windows Update for Business or SCCM. This approach leverages change management frameworks (e.g., ITIL) to ensure that patches are validated against the organization's specific software inventory and configuration baselines before broad deployment, reducing the risk of patch-induced outages that could exceed the original vulnerability's impact.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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FAQ
Vulnerability Management — This question tests Vulnerability Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Test the patch on a subset before full deployment — Option B is correct because the IT team's concern about compatibility issues necessitates a controlled rollout. Testing the patch on a subset of workstations allows the analyst to validate that the patch does not break critical business applications or system functionality before full deployment, aligning with the vulnerability management principle of staged patching to minimize operational risk.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
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