- A
Power the laptop off immediately to stop any further attacker activity.
Why wrong: Immediate power-off can destroy volatile data such as memory contents, active connections, and running process information that may be critical to the investigation.
- B
Collect volatile data such as memory, running processes, and active network connections.
Volatile evidence is the first thing to lose when a machine shuts down or is rebooted, so collecting it immediately is the best move. Memory, process lists, open sockets, and logged-in sessions can reveal malware injection, command-and-control activity, or stolen credentials in use. Preserving that state before containment actions or shutdown gives investigators a better picture of what happened on the system.
- C
Run a full antimalware scan before touching any other data.
Why wrong: A full scan may alter the system state, consume resources, and change evidence. It is not the first step when volatile artifacts still exist and need preservation.
- D
Disconnect the power cable and remove the battery to prevent changes.
Why wrong: Removing power protects against further execution, but it also destroys volatile data. That makes it a poor first step when evidence preservation is the priority.
Quick Answer
The correct first step is to collect volatile data such as memory, running processes, and active network connections. This is because the laptop is powered on, the user is logged in, and it remains connected to Wi-Fi, meaning the system’s volatile evidence—like in-memory malware artifacts, active malicious processes, and live network sessions—will be permanently lost the moment the device is shut down or disconnected. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the order of volatility, a core forensic principle that prioritizes capturing the most ephemeral data first. A common trap is choosing to disconnect the network or power off the system immediately, but that destroys the very evidence needed for analysis. Remember the memory tip: “RAM before the plug” — always capture running memory and processes before touching the power or network cable.
SY0-701 Security Operations Practice Question
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of security operations. 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.
A finance laptop is powered on, the user is still logged in, and it remains connected to Wi-Fi after a malware alert. What should the responder do first to preserve volatile evidence?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"first"Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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
Collect volatile data such as memory, running processes, and active network connections.
Option B is correct because the laptop is powered on, the user is logged in, and it is connected to the network, meaning volatile data (memory contents, running processes, active network connections) is at immediate risk of being lost if the system is shut down or tampered with. The responder must collect this data first to preserve evidence of the malware's current state, including any malicious processes, network connections, and in-memory artifacts that would disappear on power loss.
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.
- ✗
Power the laptop off immediately to stop any further attacker activity.
Why it's wrong here
Immediate power-off can destroy volatile data such as memory contents, active connections, and running process information that may be critical to the investigation.
- ✓
Collect volatile data such as memory, running processes, and active network connections.
Why this is correct
Volatile evidence is the first thing to lose when a machine shuts down or is rebooted, so collecting it immediately is the best move. Memory, process lists, open sockets, and logged-in sessions can reveal malware injection, command-and-control activity, or stolen credentials in use. Preserving that state before containment actions or shutdown gives investigators a better picture of what happened on the system.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Run a full antimalware scan before touching any other data.
Why it's wrong here
A full scan may alter the system state, consume resources, and change evidence. It is not the first step when volatile artifacts still exist and need preservation.
- ✗
Disconnect the power cable and remove the battery to prevent changes.
Why it's wrong here
Removing power protects against further execution, but it also destroys volatile data. That makes it a poor first step when evidence preservation is the priority.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates mistakenly believe immediate shutdown (Option A) stops attacker activity, but in forensic practice, preserving volatile evidence by capturing memory and network state is always the priority before any power-down action.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Volatile data collection typically involves using tools like `memdump` (via FTK Imager or LiME) to capture RAM, `netstat -anob` to list active connections and associated processes, and `tasklist` or `ps` to record running processes. In a Windows environment, the `ipconfig /displaydns` and `arp -a` commands can reveal DNS cache and ARP table entries that may show recent attacker activity. The order of volatility (RFC 3227) dictates that memory, then network state, then running processes must be captured before any non-volatile data is touched.
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 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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Security Operations — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Security Operations practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All SY0-701 questions
1,152 questions across all exam domains
- →
Security+ SY0-701 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
SY0-701 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related SY0-701 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
General Security Concepts practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to General Security Concepts.
Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations.
Security Architecture practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security Architecture.
Security Operations practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security Operations.
Security Program Management and Oversight practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security Program Management and Oversight.
Security+ social engineering questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ social engineering questions.
Security+ cryptography practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ cryptography.
Security+ IAM questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ IAM questions.
Security+ risk management questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ risk management questions.
Security+ incident response questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ incident response questions.
Security+ malware questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ malware questions.
Security+ vulnerability management questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ vulnerability management questions.
Practice this exam
Start a free SY0-701 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Security Operations — This question tests Security Operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Collect volatile data such as memory, running processes, and active network connections. — Option B is correct because the laptop is powered on, the user is logged in, and it is connected to the network, meaning volatile data (memory contents, running processes, active network connections) is at immediate risk of being lost if the system is shut down or tampered with. The responder must collect this data first to preserve evidence of the malware's current state, including any malicious processes, network connections, and in-memory artifacts that would disappear on power loss.
What should I do if I get this SY0-701 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on SY0-701
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A workstation is suspected of malware infection, and it is still powered on and connected to the network. Which action best preserves volatile evidence before the system is shut down?
easy- A.Immediately power off the workstation to stop any malicious activity.
- ✓ B.Capture memory and note running processes before taking further action.
- C.Run a full antivirus scan before documenting anything.
- D.Delete temporary files to reduce the chance of reinfection.
Why B: Option B is correct because volatile evidence, such as the contents of RAM (running processes, network connections, open files), is lost when the system is powered off. Capturing a memory dump and recording running processes preserves this critical data for forensic analysis, allowing investigators to identify malware artifacts (e.g., injected code, hidden processes) that exist only in memory. This aligns with the NIST SP 800-86 forensic procedure of prioritizing volatile data collection before system shutdown.
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This SY0-701 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 SY0-701 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.