- A
Restrict access to the server to known admin IPs or a jump host.
Correct because limiting who can reach the server reduces exposure while the vulnerability remains unpatched. Fewer reachable sources means fewer opportunities for exploitation.
- B
Place a web application firewall or IPS rule in front of the exposed service.
Correct because a compensating network control can block common exploit patterns or suspicious requests while the permanent fix is unavailable. This helps reduce immediate risk without shutting the service down.
- C
Document the issue and wait for the vendor patch without making any changes.
Why wrong: Incorrect because documentation alone does not lower the risk. The server remains exposed for the full 30 days.
- D
Open the service to more networks so monitoring tools can see it better.
Why wrong: Incorrect because expanding exposure makes exploitation more likely. Better monitoring does not justify widening the attack surface.
- E
Disable logging to reduce the performance overhead caused by the vulnerability.
Why wrong: Incorrect because logging is valuable for detection and investigation. Turning it off reduces visibility without reducing the actual risk.
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 legacy application server has a critical vulnerability, but the vendor will not release a fix for 30 days. Which two compensating controls are the best short-term risk reduction steps? Select two.
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
Restrict access to the server to known admin IPs or a jump host.
Option A is correct because restricting access to the server to known admin IPs or a jump host reduces the attack surface by limiting who can reach the vulnerable service. This network-layer control (e.g., using ACLs or firewall rules) prevents exploitation from untrusted sources while the vendor patch is pending. It is a classic compensating control that buys time without modifying the application itself.
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.
- ✓
Restrict access to the server to known admin IPs or a jump host.
Why this is correct
Correct because limiting who can reach the server reduces exposure while the vulnerability remains unpatched. Fewer reachable sources means fewer opportunities for exploitation.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Place a web application firewall or IPS rule in front of the exposed service.
Why this is correct
Correct because a compensating network control can block common exploit patterns or suspicious requests while the permanent fix is unavailable. This helps reduce immediate risk without shutting the service down.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Document the issue and wait for the vendor patch without making any changes.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because documentation alone does not lower the risk. The server remains exposed for the full 30 days.
- ✗
Open the service to more networks so monitoring tools can see it better.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because expanding exposure makes exploitation more likely. Better monitoring does not justify widening the attack surface.
- ✗
Disable logging to reduce the performance overhead caused by the vulnerability.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because logging is valuable for detection and investigation. Turning it off reduces visibility without reducing the actual risk.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may think documenting the issue (Option C) is sufficient or that increasing monitoring (Option D) is a control, but CompTIA expects active risk reduction measures like access restriction and virtual patching, not passive or counterproductive actions.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Compensating controls are alternative safeguards that mitigate risk when a primary control (like a vendor patch) is unavailable. In this scenario, network segmentation via ACLs (e.g., restricting source IPs to a management subnet) and deploying a WAF or IPS with a virtual patch (e.g., a signature blocking the specific exploit payload) are both effective. The WAF/IPS rule inspects traffic at Layer 7, blocking malicious patterns (e.g., SQL injection or buffer overflow attempts) without requiring application code changes.
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.
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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: Restrict access to the server to known admin IPs or a jump host. — Option A is correct because restricting access to the server to known admin IPs or a jump host reduces the attack surface by limiting who can reach the vulnerable service. This network-layer control (e.g., using ACLs or firewall rules) prevents exploitation from untrusted sources while the vendor patch is pending. It is a classic compensating control that buys time without modifying the application itself.
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: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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