Question 1mediummulti select
Full question →mediummulti selectObjective-mapped
A help desk manager is hardening a fleet of Windows laptops. The goal is to prevent booting from untrusted external media and to ensure only approved software can run on the devices. Which two controls best address those goals? Select two.
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
Best answer
Enable Secure Boot in firmware.
Secure Boot helps ensure the device only starts trusted boot components that are signed by a trusted key. That reduces the risk of booting unapproved loaders or malicious recovery media. It is a platform hardening control that directly addresses firmware-level trust during startup, which is exactly what the scenario calls for.
B
Best answer
Implement application allowlisting or application control.
Application allowlisting controls which programs can execute on the endpoint, so only approved software runs. This is the correct control when the goal is to prevent unsanctioned utilities from launching after the system boots. Combined with Secure Boot, it covers both startup integrity and runtime execution restrictions.
C
Distractor review
Rely only on full-disk encryption to stop unauthorized boot code.
Full-disk encryption protects data at rest, but it does not stop a machine from attempting to boot untrusted media. An attacker could still boot into alternate code if firmware settings are weak. Encryption is valuable, but it does not solve the specific boot-control problem described here.
D
Distractor review
Increase the screen-lock timeout so users are interrupted less often.
Screen lock timing affects idle-session exposure, not startup trust or software execution. It may be useful for operational convenience, but it does nothing to stop unauthorized boot devices or unapproved applications. The scenario requires platform hardening, not a user-inactivity setting.
E
Distractor review
Use a stronger Wi-Fi password so malware cannot start.
Wi-Fi password strength does not control firmware boot behavior or local application execution. Malware can start from many other pathways, and wireless credentials do not substitute for endpoint hardening. This option addresses the wrong layer of the system.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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.
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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?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable Secure Boot in firmware. — The correct controls are A and B. Secure Boot protects the startup chain so the laptop only trusts signed boot components, which helps block untrusted external media. Application allowlisting then controls what software can execute after startup, ensuring only approved programs run on the endpoints. Together they address both pre-boot integrity and post-boot application control. Why others are wrong: C protects stored data but does not stop rogue boot media. D is a usability setting, not a security control for boot integrity. E is unrelated to local execution control and does not meaningfully reduce the risk described in the scenario.
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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