Quick Answer
The answer is mitigate by implementing configuration management. This is the correct choice because configuration management directly reduces the probability of a server misconfiguration, which is the root cause of the potential data breach. By enforcing standardized, auditable server configurations—using tools like Ansible or Puppet with CIS benchmarks—the team proactively lowers the risk’s likelihood, even though the impact remains high. On the CompTIA Project+ PK0-005 exam, this scenario tests your ability to distinguish mitigation from other risk response strategies like avoidance, transfer, or acceptance. A common trap is confusing mitigation with avoidance; remember that mitigation reduces probability or impact, while avoidance eliminates the risk entirely by changing the project plan. For a memory tip, think of “Mitigation = Make it less likely” and link it to configuration management as the go-to example of a risk mitigation strategy that standardizes and controls changes.
This PK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of project management concepts. 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.
A project manager is creating a risk register. The team identifies a risk that could cause a data breach if a server is misconfigured. The probability is low, but impact is high. Which risk response strategy is most appropriate?
Transfer the risk by purchasing cyber insurance.
Why wrong: Insurance covers financial loss, not prevention.
Accept the risk because probability is low.
Why wrong: High impact warrants proactive mitigation.
Mitigate by implementing configuration management.
Reduces likelihood of misconfiguration.
Avoid the risk by not using that server.
Why wrong: Avoidance may not be feasible.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Mitigate by implementing configuration management.
Option C is correct because implementing configuration management directly reduces the likelihood of a server misconfiguration, which is the root cause of the potential data breach. This is a classic risk mitigation strategy that proactively addresses the risk's probability by enforcing standardized, auditable server configurations (e.g., using tools like Ansible or Puppet with CIS benchmarks).
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.
Transfer the risk by purchasing cyber insurance.
Why it's wrong here
Insurance covers financial loss, not prevention.
Accept the risk because probability is low.
Why it's wrong here
High impact warrants proactive mitigation.
Mitigate by implementing configuration management.
Why this is correct
Reduces likelihood of misconfiguration.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Avoid the risk by not using that server.
Why it's wrong here
Avoidance may not be feasible.
Common exam traps
CompTIA often tests the distinction between 'accepting' a risk because probability is low versus 'mitigating' it when a cost-effective control exists; the trap here is that candidates overlook the high impact and assume low probability alone justifies acceptance, ignoring the project manager's duty to implement reasonable safeguards.
Detailed technical explanation
Configuration management in this context involves enforcing a baseline configuration (e.g., disabling default accounts, setting proper TLS versions, and applying least-privilege access) through Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools like Terraform or AWS Config. This ensures that any deviation from the secure baseline is automatically detected and remediated, effectively reducing the probability of a misconfiguration from 'low' to 'negligible' without requiring server decommissioning. Real-world examples include the Capital One breach (2019), where a misconfigured WAF allowed data exfiltration—a risk that could have been mitigated with proper configuration management and automated compliance checks.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the PK0-005 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Project Management Concepts — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Project Management Concepts — This question tests Project Management Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Mitigate by implementing configuration management. — Option C is correct because implementing configuration management directly reduces the likelihood of a server misconfiguration, which is the root cause of the potential data breach. This is a classic risk mitigation strategy that proactively addresses the risk's probability by enforcing standardized, auditable server configurations (e.g., using tools like Ansible or Puppet with CIS benchmarks).
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
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.
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