- A
Disconnect the server from the network to contain the potential breach.
This is correct because containment is the immediate priority in incident response to stop the threat from spreading or causing more harm. Disconnecting the network cable or disabling the network interface is a simple and effective containment action.
- B
Wipe the server and restore from a known good backup.
Why wrong: Wiping the server is premature and destructive. It would destroy volatile evidence needed for forensic analysis and root cause identification. Restoring from backup should only occur after proper evidence collection and containment.
- C
Run a full antivirus scan on the server to identify malware.
Why wrong: While running an antivirus scan may be useful later, it is not the immediate next step. The scan could alert an attacker if the malware is configured to hide or delete evidence. Containment takes precedence to minimize potential damage.
- D
Inform the legal department and law enforcement.
Why wrong: Legal and law enforcement notification occurs after the incident has been confirmed, classified, and initial containment has been performed. Jumping to notification without first containing the threat could lead to further compromise and loss of evidence.
Quick Answer
The answer is to disconnect the server from the network to contain the potential breach. This is the immediate next step in incident response containment because the unusual encrypted outbound traffic and the unauthorized scheduled task are clear indicators of compromise (IOCs) that suggest an active threat, and isolating the system stops data exfiltration and lateral movement before any further analysis. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this question tests your understanding of the NIST SP 800-61 framework, where containment always precedes eradication or recovery; a common trap is choosing to run a scan or notify legal first, but those come after containment and evidence preservation. Remember the mnemonic “C-E-R-T” (Contain, Eradicate, Recover, Test) to lock in the order—containment is always the first operational step after detection.
SY0-701 Security Operations Practice Question
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of security operations. Compare every option against the stated constraints before choosing — the best answer satisfies all requirements, not just the most obvious one. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. 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 notices unusual outbound traffic from a server that normally only communicates with internal clients. The traffic is encrypted and goes to an external IP address not on any blocklists. The analyst also finds a new scheduled task on the server that runs a PowerShell script. Which of the following best describes the analyst's immediate next step in the incident response process?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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 server from the network to contain the potential breach.
According to standard incident response frameworks such as NIST SP 800-61, containment is one of the first and most critical steps after detecting a potential compromise. The unusual encrypted outbound traffic and the unauthorized scheduled task are strong indicators of compromise (IOCs). Disconnecting the server from the network immediately helps prevent further data exfiltration, lateral movement, or additional damage. Other actions, such as running a scan, wiping the server, or notifying legal, are performed later in the process after containment and evidence preservation.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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 server from the network to contain the potential breach.
Why this is correct
This is correct because containment is the immediate priority in incident response to stop the threat from spreading or causing more harm. Disconnecting the network cable or disabling the network interface is a simple and effective containment action.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Wipe the server and restore from a known good backup.
Why it's wrong here
Wiping the server is premature and destructive. It would destroy volatile evidence needed for forensic analysis and root cause identification. Restoring from backup should only occur after proper evidence collection and containment.
- ✗
Run a full antivirus scan on the server to identify malware.
Why it's wrong here
While running an antivirus scan may be useful later, it is not the immediate next step. The scan could alert an attacker if the malware is configured to hide or delete evidence. Containment takes precedence to minimize potential damage.
- ✗
Inform the legal department and law enforcement.
Why it's wrong here
Legal and law enforcement notification occurs after the incident has been confirmed, classified, and initial containment has been performed. Jumping to notification without first containing the threat could lead to further compromise and loss of evidence.
Common exam traps
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.
Detailed technical explanation
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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.
Identify which SY0-701 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Security Operations — This question tests Security Operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Disconnect the server from the network to contain the potential breach. — According to standard incident response frameworks such as NIST SP 800-61, containment is one of the first and most critical steps after detecting a potential compromise. The unusual encrypted outbound traffic and the unauthorized scheduled task are strong indicators of compromise (IOCs). Disconnecting the server from the network immediately helps prevent further data exfiltration, lateral movement, or additional damage. Other actions, such as running a scan, wiping the server, or notifying legal, are performed later in the process after containment and evidence preservation.
What should I do if I get this SY0-701 question wrong?
Identify which SY0-701 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: May 17, 2026
This SY0-701 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the SY0-701 exam.
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