A Linux administrator must run a weekly maintenance script on 40 servers without giving technicians interactive root access. Which two practices best support secure administration? 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.
Best answer
Use a dedicated service account with only the required commands.
A dedicated service account limits access to only the tasks the script needs.
Best answer
Run the job through a scheduler or automation tool instead of manually logging in.
Scheduling the job avoids interactive logins and makes the workflow repeatable.
Distractor review
Share one root password across the whole team.
A shared root password increases risk because many people can use it.
Distractor review
Embed the account password directly in the script.
Hardcoding passwords makes secrets easy to copy, leak, or reuse later accidentally.
Distractor review
Disable logging so the maintenance job runs faster.
Turning off logging removes the audit trail needed to review the job.
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
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Question 2
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Question 3
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Question 4
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Question 5
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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: Use a dedicated service account with only the required commands. — The safest approach is to automate the maintenance task with a scheduler or automation tool and use a dedicated service account with only the permissions required for the job. This avoids unnecessary interactive root access and keeps the workflow repeatable, controlled, and easier to audit. It also reduces the chance that technicians will use broad administrative credentials for routine work. Why others are wrong: A shared root password gives too many people broad access and makes accountability weak. Hardcoding a password inside a script creates an easy secret exposure risk if the file is copied or shared. Disabling logging may seem convenient, but it removes the audit trail needed to confirm what the job did and who ran it. None of those choices support secure administration.
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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