Question 1mediummulti select
Full question →mediummulti selectObjective-mapped
A ransomware incident encrypted a file share and the attached NAS backups because the NAS stayed mounted to production and was reachable over SMB. Which two design changes would have reduced the blast radius most effectively? 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
Keep at least one backup copy offline or immutable.
Correct because an offline or immutable backup cannot be encrypted or deleted as easily by ransomware. It preserves a clean recovery point even if the production environment is fully compromised.
B
Best answer
Use a separate backup account and a restricted backup network segment.
Correct because separating credentials and network access limits how far an attacker can move from production systems into backup infrastructure. It reduces the chance that one compromise reaches both environments.
C
Distractor review
Mount the backup share permanently so restores are always faster.
Incorrect because always-mounted backups are easier for ransomware to discover and encrypt. Convenience should not override isolation.
D
Distractor review
Join the NAS to the same administrative group used by production servers.
Incorrect because shared administration increases exposure and makes credential theft more damaging. Backup systems should be more isolated, not more integrated.
E
Distractor review
Disable restore testing to avoid risking the backup environment.
Incorrect because restore testing is essential for confirming recoverability. Avoiding tests leaves the organization unaware of backup failures until a real incident occurs.
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: Keep at least one backup copy offline or immutable. — Offline or immutable backup copies and separation of backup credentials and network access are the most effective ways to reduce blast radius. If ransomware reaches production, those controls make it much harder for the attacker to encrypt or delete recovery data. Resilience depends on both data survivability and administrative isolation, not just on having a backup job that reports success. Why others are wrong: Permanent mounting makes backup data easier to attack, and sharing administrative groups increases the impact of credential compromise. Disabling restore testing removes visibility into whether recovery will actually work. Good backup design assumes the production environment may be hostile and isolates recovery resources accordingly.
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.
Discussion
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