- A
Disconnect the workstation from the network
This is correct because it directly implements containment by isolating the compromised workstation, preventing further data exfiltration or lateral movement.
- B
Perform a forensic analysis of the workstation
Why wrong: Forensic analysis is typically performed after containment to gather evidence, not as the first step. Attempting analysis before containment may allow the threat to continue.
- C
Reimage the workstation
Why wrong: Reimaging is part of the eradication and recovery phases, which occur after containment. It should not be done before containment, as it may destroy evidence and fail to stop ongoing network activity.
- D
Alert the system administrator
Why wrong: While notifying administrators is part of communication in incident response, it is not the first containment action. The immediate priority is to contain the threat technically.
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. A key principle to apply: containment is the phase to limit the scope and impact of an incident.. 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 security analyst detects unusual outbound traffic from a workstation to an external IP address known for command and control. The analyst has verified the alert and wants to contain the threat. According to the NIST SP 800-61 incident response process, which of the following steps should the analyst take FIRST?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"first"Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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
Disconnect the workstation from the network
According to NIST SP 800-61, the first step in containment during incident response is to prevent further damage by isolating the compromised system. Disconnecting the workstation from the network immediately stops the outbound command-and-control traffic, preventing data exfiltration and further compromise. This aligns with the 'containment' phase before any analysis or remediation occurs.
Key principle: Containment is the phase to limit the scope and impact of an incident.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Disconnect the workstation from the network
Why this is correct
This is correct because it directly implements containment by isolating the compromised workstation, preventing further data exfiltration or lateral movement.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Containment is the phase to limit the scope and impact of an incident.
- ✗
Perform a forensic analysis of the workstation
Why it's wrong here
Forensic analysis is typically performed after containment to gather evidence, not as the first step. Attempting analysis before containment may allow the threat to continue.
- ✗
Reimage the workstation
Why it's wrong here
Reimaging is part of the eradication and recovery phases, which occur after containment. It should not be done before containment, as it may destroy evidence and fail to stop ongoing network activity.
- ✗
Alert the system administrator
Why it's wrong here
While notifying administrators is part of communication in incident response, it is not the first containment action. The immediate priority is to contain the threat technically.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the order of incident response phases, choosing forensic analysis (Option B) first instead of containment, because they mistakenly believe evidence preservation must precede network isolation.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NIST SP 800-61 Rev. 2 defines containment as 'stopping the incident from causing further damage,' which often involves network segmentation or disabling network interfaces. In practice, an analyst might use a network access control (NAC) system to quarantine the workstation's switch port or disable its virtual LAN (VLAN) access, effectively dropping all Layer 2/3 traffic to and from the host. This preserves volatile data in memory for later forensic acquisition while halting C2 beaconing over protocols like HTTPS or DNS tunneling.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Containment is the phase to limit the scope and impact of an incident.
- Network disconnection is a primary method for immediate containment.
- Containment prevents further data exfiltration or lateral movement.
- NIST SP 800-61 outlines the incident response lifecycle phases.
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
Containment is the phase to limit the scope and impact of an incident.
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.
Review containment is the phase to limit the scope and impact of an incident., then practise related SY0-701 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Security Operations — This question tests Security Operations — Containment is the phase to limit the scope and impact of an incident..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Disconnect the workstation from the network — According to NIST SP 800-61, the first step in containment during incident response is to prevent further damage by isolating the compromised system. Disconnecting the workstation from the network immediately stops the outbound command-and-control traffic, preventing data exfiltration and further compromise. This aligns with the 'containment' phase before any analysis or remediation occurs.
What should I do if I get this SY0-701 question wrong?
Review containment is the phase to limit the scope and impact of an incident., then practise related SY0-701 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Containment is the phase to limit the scope and impact of an incident.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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