Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A nightly backup job shows "Completed successfully" in the backup console, but a test restore fails with an authentication error after the backup service account password was rotated last week. What is the best next step?
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
Increase the retention period so the backup console will keep more copies.
Retention length does not fix a restore authentication problem. The issue is credential-related, not a shortage of stored backups.
B
Best answer
Update the backup application with the current service account credentials and rerun a restore validation test.
This action resolves the likely credential mismatch and confirms the backup process is actually usable during recovery. Backup success alone is not enough if restore fails.
C
Distractor review
Disable the backup software firewall rule and try the restore again later.
Firewall changes do not address an authentication failure and can introduce unnecessary risk. The problem is credential validity, not network reachability.
D
Distractor review
Delete and recreate all protected files because the backup repository is probably corrupt.
Recreating source files is destructive and unrelated to the restore authentication issue. There is no evidence that the repository is corrupt from this symptom alone.
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: Update the backup application with the current service account credentials and rerun a restore validation test. — The restore failure occurred after a service account password rotation, which strongly points to outdated credentials in the backup application. In security operations, a backup is only valuable if it can be restored, so the right next step is to update the backup software with the new credentials and run a restore validation. This both fixes the likely cause and confirms the environment can recover when needed. Why others are wrong: Retention changes do not solve authentication failures. Firewall changes are irrelevant to credential validation and can cause new problems. Recreating protected files is destructive and based on an unsupported assumption of repository corruption.
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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