A security analyst is monitoring logs from the cloud access security broker (CASB) and observes that a user account downloaded 500 GB of data from a highly sensitive SharePoint document library within a single hour. The user's historical baseline shows an average daily download of less than 10 MB. Additionally, the log shows the session originated from an IP address in a country where the company has no employees or business operations. Which of the following actions is the most appropriate for the analyst to take?
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.
Distractor review
Immediately block the user account and the source IP address at the CASB.
This is too aggressive without confirmation that the activity is malicious. The account could be compromised, but a permanent block may alert an attacker and hinder forensic collection. Containment should be done as part of a coordinated incident response, not as a solo action.
Distractor review
Contact the user directly by phone to verify whether they initiated the download.
While verification is useful, this should not be the first step. If the account is compromised, contacting the user may tip off the attacker. The incident response process should be initiated first to ensure proper evidence handling and coordination.
Best answer
Initiate the organization's incident response process for a potential data exfiltration event.
Correct. The combination of anomalous data volume and unusual geolocation strongly suggests a security incident. The analyst should follow the incident response plan, which typically includes preserving logs, engaging the incident response team, and escalating per policy.
Distractor review
Disable the SharePoint document library and remove all user permissions to prevent further data loss.
Disabling the entire library would cause a denial of service to legitimate users and is excessive. The focus should be on the specific account and session, not on shutting down the resource for everyone.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
- Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
- NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
- Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
- Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
- Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
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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?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Initiate the organization's incident response process for a potential data exfiltration event. — This scenario describes a classic indicator of data exfiltration: a user account exhibiting behavior wildly outside its baseline (500 GB vs. <10 MB daily) combined with a login from an unexpected geographic location. The most appropriate action is to initiate the organization's incident response process, which will trigger a formal investigation, contain the threat, and preserve evidence. While contacting the user or temporarily blocking the account might seem reasonable, these steps should be performed under the guidance of the incident response plan to avoid alerting a potential attacker or destroying evidence. Disabling the entire SharePoint site is an overreaction that would disrupt all users.
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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