Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A security analyst detects that multiple workstations in the finance department are displaying ransom notes and files are being encrypted. The analyst has disconnected the affected workstations from the network. Which of the following should the analyst do next according to the incident response procedure?
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
Reimage all affected workstations immediately to restore operations.
Reimaging destroys potential forensic evidence needed to understand the attack vector and may not prevent recurrence. This should only occur after evidence is collected and analysis is complete.
B
Best answer
Isolate the entire finance department network segment and preserve forensic evidence.
Isolating the segment prevents lateral movement of the ransomware. Preserving forensic evidence allows for a thorough investigation to identify the initial infection vector and prevent future incidents.
C
Distractor review
Run a full antivirus scan on the workstations to remove the ransomware.
Antivirus scans are often ineffective against modern ransomware that uses advanced encryption and may modify system files. Scanning could alter volatile data critical for forensic analysis.
D
Distractor review
Restore the encrypted files from the latest backup without further investigation.
Restoring without investigation does not address the root cause. The backup itself could be compromised, and the attack vector may still be active, leading to reinfection.
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: Isolate the entire finance department network segment and preserve forensic evidence. — After initial containment of individual systems, the next step is to prevent further spread by isolating the segment. Preserving evidence is critical for forensic analysis. Reimaging immediately destroys forensic data, running a scan may alter evidence and is not reliable against ransomware, and restoring from backup without investigation ignores root cause analysis.
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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