Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A Linux operations team is building a new production gold image for database servers. Security requires every build to disable password-based SSH, enable audit logging, use the company NTP servers, and remove the desktop package set. The admins need a document that defines these exact required settings and allows exceptions only through formal approval. Which artifact should be used?
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
Policy
A policy states broad organizational expectations and intent. It does not normally list exact configuration values.
B
Best answer
Baseline
A baseline defines the approved, specific secure configuration that systems should meet. It fits exact required settings.
C
Distractor review
Guideline
Guidelines provide recommended practices and flexibility. They are not strict enough for mandatory server settings.
D
Distractor review
Procedure
Procedures explain how to perform tasks step by step. They do not define the required target state.
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: Baseline — A baseline is the right artifact when the organization wants a specific, approved configuration state for systems such as gold images or hardened servers. It lists the exact settings that must be present and can be compared against builds to detect drift. Because the question emphasizes mandatory settings and formal exceptions, the document is describing a baseline rather than a broad policy, flexible guideline, or task-oriented procedure. Why others are wrong: A policy is too high level for exact technical settings. A guideline is intentionally flexible and would not support strict enforcement. A procedure explains how staff should perform the build, but it does not define the secure end state itself. The scenario is about the approved configuration a system must match, which is the purpose of a baseline.
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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