Question 1hardmulti select
Full question →hardmulti selectObjective-mapped
A Linux operations team must run a nightly maintenance script on 70 servers to rotate logs and restart one service. Security will not allow interactive SSH logins, and the script should only have the permissions required for those two commands. Which two configuration choices best meet the requirement? 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.
A
Best answer
Create a dedicated automation account and restrict it in sudoers to the exact commands needed.
A dedicated account makes auditing clear, and sudoers restrictions enforce least privilege for only the approved commands.
B
Distractor review
Place the automation account in the root group so it can restart services everywhere.
Root-group membership gives far more access than needed and defeats the requirement for limited, auditable privileges.
C
Best answer
Use SSH key authentication with a restricted shell or forced command for the automation account.
Key-based access supports unattended logins, and a restricted shell or forced command limits what the account can do.
D
Distractor review
Copy the administrator's personal password into the script so the job can log in unattended.
Embedding a personal password is insecure, hard to audit, and violates good privileged access management practice.
E
Distractor review
Approve the job through email one time, then allow the script to run with no restrictions forever.
An email approval does not enforce technical controls and does not limit future privilege or command scope.
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 a dedicated automation account and restrict it in sudoers to the exact commands needed. — A dedicated automation account prevents sharing an administrator identity and makes audit logs meaningful. A sudoers rule that allows only the required restart and log-rotation commands enforces least privilege. SSH key authentication with a restricted shell or forced command supports unattended runs without interactive logon, while keeping the task bounded to the exact workflow. That combination satisfies automation, traceability, and access minimization. Why others are wrong: Putting the account in the root group or embedding an administrator password grants excessive access and weakens accountability. Email approval is a business process, not an enforceable technical restriction, so it does not meet the security requirement for repeated unattended execution.
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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