PK0-005 Practice Question: Basics of IT Infrastructure and IT Project Management
A project manager is overseeing the implementation of a new customer relationship management (CRM) system. The vendor requires access to the company's internal network to install and configure the software. Which of the following is the BEST practice to ensure security while allowing vendor access?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates think providing a local admin account (Option D) is sufficient for security, overlooking the need for encrypted communication and multi-factor authentication, which are critical for remote vendor access in a production environment.
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
✓
Set up a VPN connection with two-factor authentication
Setting up a VPN connection with two-factor authentication is the best practice because it creates an encrypted tunnel over the internet, ensuring data confidentiality and integrity, while two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security beyond just a password. This approach allows the vendor to access only the internal network resources necessary for installation and configuration, without exposing the entire network to unauthenticated or unencrypted 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.
- ✗
Provide the vendor with access to the guest Wi-Fi network
Why it's wrong here
Guest Wi-Fi isolates the vendor from internal systems, so installation and configuration of the CRM cannot be performed. It is tempting because guest networks are the standard control for casual visitors, and would be correct for a short-term guest needing only internet access.
- ✓
Set up a VPN connection with two-factor authentication
Why this is correct
A VPN with two-factor authentication encrypts the vendor's session and verifies identity before any internal resource is reachable, satisfying the need to permit installation access without exposing the network. Two-factor authentication specifically mitigates credential compromise, which a plain VPN tunnel alone would not address.
- ✗
Allow the vendor to use remote desktop protocol (RDP) directly over the internet
Why it's wrong here
Exposing RDP directly to the internet invites brute-force and ransomware, whereas a bastion host or VPN with Microsoft Entra ID authentication brokers the session. It tempts because RDP is the native Windows administration channel; direct RDP would be acceptable only on an isolated, non-routable test network.
- ✗
Create a local user account with administrative privileges for the vendor
Why it's wrong here
A standing local admin account gives the vendor permanent, unlogged privileged access with no expiry or attribution, whereas just-in-time privileged identity management grants time-bound, audited access. It tempts because vendors often request admin rights for installation; a local account would suit an isolated lab machine, not production.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This PK0-005 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 PK0-005 exam.