Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A file server suddenly shows many encrypted files with a new extension, and endpoint tools report that Volume Shadow Copy Service was disabled minutes earlier. A note on the desktop demands payment in cryptocurrency. What should the security team do first?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
Distractor review
Pay the ransom immediately to restore access quickly.
Paying the ransom is risky, does not guarantee recovery, and can fund further criminal activity.
B
Best answer
Isolate the affected systems from the network and preserve evidence.
Isolation is the first priority because it helps stop the spread of ransomware and prevents additional encryption or lateral movement. Preserving evidence at the same time supports later incident response, forensics, and potential legal or insurance needs. The organization can then assess the scope, validate backups, and begin containment and recovery in a controlled way. Immediate disconnection from the network is usually more valuable than attempting remediation on a live, actively infected host.
C
Distractor review
Reimage the server immediately without documenting the event.
Reimaging may eventually be necessary, but doing it immediately destroys evidence and can interfere with proper incident handling.
D
Distractor review
Disable antivirus alerts so staff can work without distractions.
Suppressing alerts hides the incident and prevents the security team from seeing whether the malware is still active elsewhere.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication checks who the user is.
- Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
- Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
- AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
- Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
- Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
- Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
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More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A laptop is suspected of being used in a malware incident. It is still powered on and connected to Wi-Fi. What should the responder do before shutting it down?
Question 2
An employee reports a ransomware note on a file server. The server is still powered on, shares are still being accessed, and management wants service restored as quickly as possible. What should the incident response team do first?
Question 3
An employee reports a ransomware note on a finance laptop. The laptop is still powered on, connected to Wi-Fi, and the user says they were just working in a spreadsheet. Management wants the fastest safe response that also preserves evidence. What should the responder do first?
Question 4
You are handed a company laptop suspected in an insider theft case. Legal says the evidence may be needed in court. Which action best preserves admissibility?
Question 5
A developer wants to reduce the risk of SQL injection in a new customer search form. Which two changes are the best mitigations? Select two.
Question 6
A branch office uses a flat LAN, and a compromise on one user workstation could spread quickly to finance systems. Management wants finance workstations isolated from general users, but finance staff still need access to a central finance application and network printer. What is the best design change?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Authentication checks who the user is.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Isolate the affected systems from the network and preserve evidence. — The first step is to isolate the affected systems from the network and preserve evidence. Ransomware often spreads quickly, encrypts connected shares, and may continue executing if the host stays online. Containment limits further damage, while evidence preservation supports root-cause analysis, legal review, and recovery planning. Paying the ransom is not a reliable first action, and reimaging too early can erase important clues. Good incident response starts with stopping the blast radius and documenting what happened. Why others are wrong: Paying the ransom is not a control and may encourage more attacks without guaranteeing decryption. Reimaging immediately can destroy logs, memory artifacts, and other forensic evidence needed to understand the scope. Disabling antivirus alerts is dangerous because it reduces visibility at the exact moment the organization needs it most. The right response is containment first, then eradication and recovery after the team has enough evidence.
What should I do if I get this SY0-701 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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