- A
AllowGroups ops
Correct: AllowGroups restricts by group membership.
- B
Match Group ops DenyUsers *
Why wrong: This would deny all users in ops group, opposite.
- C
AllowUsers ops
Why wrong: AllowUsers specifies usernames, not groups.
- D
DenyUsers all
Why wrong: DenyUsers all denies all users, not just non-ops.
Question 701 of 981
XK0-005 Security Practice Question
This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of security. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 administrator needs to ensure that only users from the 'ops' group can SSH into a server. Which configuration in /etc/ssh/sshd_config accomplishes this?
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
✓
AllowGroups ops
The `AllowGroups` directive in `/etc/ssh/sshd_config` restricts SSH access to only users who are members of the specified group. By setting `AllowGroups ops`, only users belonging to the 'ops' group will be permitted to log in via SSH, which directly meets the requirement.
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.
- ✓
AllowGroups ops
Why this is correct
Correct: AllowGroups restricts by group membership.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Match Group ops DenyUsers *
Why it's wrong here
This would deny all users in ops group, opposite.
- ✗
AllowUsers ops
Why it's wrong here
AllowUsers specifies usernames, not groups.
- ✗
DenyUsers all
Why it's wrong here
DenyUsers all denies all users, not just non-ops.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is confusing `AllowUsers` (which matches usernames) with `AllowGroups` (which matches group membership), leading candidates to select option C when the requirement specifies group-based restriction.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `AllowGroups` and `DenyGroups` directives are processed by sshd during authentication, checking the user's supplementary group memberships via `getgrouplist()`. Unlike `AllowUsers`, which matches exact usernames, `AllowGroups` evaluates group membership, making it ideal for role-based access control. A common real-world scenario is using LDAP or Active Directory groups where usernames are dynamic but group membership defines access.
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 administrator must allow nursing staff to reach a patient records server while blocking access from the guest Wi-Fi VLAN. After applying an extended ACL, traffic is still blocked from nursing workstations. The ACL was applied outbound instead of inbound on the wrong interface. Questions like this test ACL direction and placement rules.
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this XK0-005 question test?
Security — This question tests Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: AllowGroups ops — The `AllowGroups` directive in `/etc/ssh/sshd_config` restricts SSH access to only users who are members of the specified group. By setting `AllowGroups ops`, only users belonging to the 'ops' group will be permitted to log in via SSH, which directly meets the requirement.
What should I do if I get this XK0-005 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: Jul 4, 2026
This XK0-005 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 XK0-005 exam.
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