Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A hospital has clinical workstations, badge readers, and building cameras all connected to the same switching infrastructure. After a workstation infection, the security team wants to prevent those endpoints from laterally reaching the badge readers while still allowing the cameras to report to a recording server. What should be implemented 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
Best answer
Create separate VLANs and apply ACLs between device groups based on business need.
Separate VLANs establish different trust zones, and ACLs limit only the necessary traffic between them.
B
Distractor review
Increase the DHCP lease time so devices keep the same IP addresses longer.
Longer leases improve address stability but do not reduce lateral movement or isolate compromised endpoints.
C
Distractor review
Replace the switches with unmanaged models to simplify configuration.
Unmanaged switches remove security controls and make segmentation and policy enforcement much harder.
D
Distractor review
Disable the cameras' encryption so the recording server can process traffic faster.
Removing encryption weakens confidentiality and does nothing to stop infected workstations from reaching other systems.
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: Create separate VLANs and apply ACLs between device groups based on business need. — Segmenting the devices into distinct VLANs is the cleanest way to separate trust boundaries on the switching layer, and ACLs enforce which flows are permitted between those zones. That design prevents a compromised workstation from freely talking to badge readers while still allowing authorized camera traffic to the recording server. It is a practical first step because it reduces blast radius without requiring a full redesign of the environment. Why others are wrong: The other options do not address lateral movement or trust separation. DHCP settings only affect address assignment. Unmanaged switches remove the very controls needed for segmentation. Disabling encryption reduces security and has no direct relation to isolating hospital devices from one another.
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.
Discussion
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