Question 1hardmultiple choice
Full question →hardmultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A Linux operations team has a standing need to restart services and edit protected configuration files on production servers, but administrators should not keep root privileges all day. Every elevation must be approved through a ticket and logged centrally. Which solution best meets this requirement?
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
Distractor review
Create one shared root password and rotate it weekly
A shared root password is difficult to audit and gives too much standing privilege. Even if rotated, it still allows broad access without individual accountability or approval workflow.
B
Best answer
Use privileged access management with just-in-time elevation and session logging
PAM with just-in-time elevation is the best match because it grants administrative rights only when needed and only after approval. Central session logging provides accountability, and the regular user account remains the default for normal work. This reduces standing privilege, limits misuse, and gives auditors a clear record of who elevated, when, and why.
C
Distractor review
Assign each administrator the server local administrator role permanently
Permanent admin rights violate least privilege and do not satisfy the need for approval before use. This would also increase the impact of compromised credentials or mistakes by administrators.
D
Distractor review
Use single sign-on so administrators only authenticate once each morning
SSO improves usability but does not control privilege elevation or require approval for sensitive actions. The problem is not repeated authentication; it is excessive standing admin access.
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: Use privileged access management with just-in-time elevation and session logging — PAM with just-in-time elevation solves both the security and operations requirements. Administrators work from standard accounts, then request temporary elevated rights only when a ticket is approved. The elevated session can be recorded for audit purposes, which supports accountability and incident review. This design sharply reduces standing privilege while still allowing fast maintenance on production systems. Why others are wrong: Option A is easy to misuse and hard to trace to a specific person. Option C permanently expands the attack surface by giving every administrator continuous privileged access. Option D changes the login experience but does nothing to control or log privilege escalation.
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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