- A
Identification, because the team is still confirming that the event happened.
Why wrong: Identification happens when the incident is first detected and validated, which has already occurred in this scenario.
- B
Containment, because the host was isolated from the network.
Why wrong: Containment was an earlier step; the team has moved beyond isolation into remediation and cleanup.
- C
Eradication, because malicious artifacts and the underlying weakness are being removed.
Eradication focuses on removing malware, persistence, and the cause of compromise so the attacker cannot easily return.
- D
Lessons learned, because the server has already been secured.
Why wrong: Lessons learned comes after recovery and closure, when the team reviews what happened and improves the process.
Quick Answer
The answer is the Eradication phase. This is correct because the team has moved beyond simply containing the threat and is now actively removing malicious artifacts like the cron job while patching the vulnerable package to eliminate the root cause. Confirming no persistence remains is the final verification step within Eradication, ensuring the environment is clean before transitioning to Recovery. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this phase tests your ability to distinguish between active removal of threats (Eradication) and the initial stopping of damage (Containment). A common trap is confusing the removal of a specific artifact with the patching of the underlying vulnerability—both must occur for Eradication to be complete. Remember the mnemonic: "Eradicate the evil, then patch the path."
SY0-701 Security Operations Practice Question
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of security operations. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A Linux web server was compromised through an outdated package. The team isolated the host, captured evidence, removed a malicious cron job, patched the vulnerable package, and confirmed no persistence remains. Which incident response phase are they primarily in now?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Eradication, because malicious artifacts and the underlying weakness are being removed.
The team has already identified the compromise, isolated the host, and removed the malicious cron job. Patching the vulnerable package addresses the root cause, which is the core of the Eradication phase. Confirming no persistence remains verifies that the eradication was successful, making this the current phase.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Identification, because the team is still confirming that the event happened.
Why it's wrong here
Identification happens when the incident is first detected and validated, which has already occurred in this scenario.
- ✗
Containment, because the host was isolated from the network.
Why it's wrong here
Containment was an earlier step; the team has moved beyond isolation into remediation and cleanup.
- ✓
Eradication, because malicious artifacts and the underlying weakness are being removed.
Why this is correct
Eradication focuses on removing malware, persistence, and the cause of compromise so the attacker cannot easily return.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Lessons learned, because the server has already been secured.
Why it's wrong here
Lessons learned comes after recovery and closure, when the team reviews what happened and improves the process.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse the isolation step (Containment) with the overall phase, but the question emphasizes the removal of the malicious cron job and patching, which are definitive Eradication actions.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
Identification happens when the incident is first detected and validated, which has already occurred in this scenario.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In incident response frameworks like NIST SP 800-61, Eradication involves removing malware, disabling breached accounts, and patching vulnerabilities. The cron job removal and package update directly address the attack vector, while the persistence check ensures no backdoors (e.g., SSH keys, reverse shells) remain. This phase often requires verifying system integrity with tools like `rkhunter` or `chkrootkit` before moving to Recovery.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A security team runs a vulnerability scan on a web application and discovers an unpatched SQL injection flaw. The team prioritises remediation by CVSS score — critical flaws are patched within 24 hours, high within 7 days. Questions like this test whether you understand vulnerability management processes, scanning tools, and remediation prioritisation.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Security Operations — This question tests Security Operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Eradication, because malicious artifacts and the underlying weakness are being removed. — The team has already identified the compromise, isolated the host, and removed the malicious cron job. Patching the vulnerable package addresses the root cause, which is the core of the Eradication phase. Confirming no persistence remains verifies that the eradication was successful, making this the current phase.
What should I do if I get this SY0-701 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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