Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A Linux server is being prepared for production as a database host. The build team notices that a graphical desktop environment, an unused FTP service, and an open mail submission port are present on the image, even though none of them are required. The organization wants future builds to be consistent and easy to verify. What is the best approach?
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
Leave the image unchanged so troubleshooting remains easier for administrators.
Convenience for administrators does not justify unnecessary services on a production database host. Leaving the extra software increases attack surface and weakens the build.
B
Distractor review
Use the image only for development and skip security review for production.
Development settings are not an acceptable substitute for a production security standard. This would leave the hardened build requirement unmet.
C
Best answer
Create and enforce a hardened build standard that removes unnecessary services and ports, then validate future servers against it.
A hardened build standard defines exactly which services, packages, and ports are allowed on the server. Removing the graphical environment, FTP service, and unnecessary mail port reduces the attack surface. Validating future systems against the standard also makes the build repeatable and helps identify drift quickly.
D
Distractor review
Add another firewall rule set and keep every installed service in place.
Firewall rules may limit exposure, but they do not remove unnecessary components from the host itself. The unnecessary services remain available for exploitation from local or internal paths.
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: Create and enforce a hardened build standard that removes unnecessary services and ports, then validate future servers against it. — The best answer is to define and enforce a hardened build standard. This means removing unnecessary services, ports, and features from the production image and then validating future servers against that approved configuration. A repeatable baseline makes it easier to deploy secure systems consistently and to spot deviations before they become security issues. Why others are wrong: Option A prioritizes convenience over attack surface reduction. Option B treats development and production as interchangeable, which is unsafe. Option D adds a perimeter control but leaves insecure services installed on the host, so it does not achieve proper hardening.
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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