- A
Disconnect the workstation from the network.
This is correct because immediate containment is critical. Isolating the workstation stops potential data exfiltration and prevents the attacker from using the system to move laterally or execute further commands.
- B
Run a full antivirus scan on the workstation.
Why wrong: While scanning may be part of the investigation, it is not the first priority. The system is actively communicating with a C2 server, and delaying containment could allow data theft or additional compromise. Containment should come before remediation.
- C
Review firewall logs to see if the traffic is being blocked.
Why wrong: Reviewing logs does not immediately address the active threat. The analyst must act to stop the ongoing communication; log analysis can be performed after containment.
- D
Inform the user to shut down the workstation.
Why wrong: Shutting down the workstation would stop the traffic but may destroy volatile evidence (e.g., running processes, memory artifacts). A proper forensic acquisition requires controlled disconnection rather than a shutdown.
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. 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 receives an alert from the intrusion detection system (IDS) indicating a high volume of outbound traffic from a single internal workstation to an external IP address known to be associated with a command-and-control (C2) server. The workstation's user reports no unusual activity. Which of the following should the analyst do 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.
The IDS alert indicates a high volume of outbound traffic to a known C2 server, which strongly suggests the workstation is compromised and communicating with an attacker. Disconnecting the workstation from the network (Option A) is the immediate containment step to prevent data exfiltration and further C2 communication, following the NIST incident response framework's containment phase. This action stops the threat at the network layer without waiting for additional analysis.
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 workstation from the network.
Why this is correct
This is correct because immediate containment is critical. Isolating the workstation stops potential data exfiltration and prevents the attacker from using the system to move laterally or execute further commands.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Run a full antivirus scan on the workstation.
Why it's wrong here
While scanning may be part of the investigation, it is not the first priority. The system is actively communicating with a C2 server, and delaying containment could allow data theft or additional compromise. Containment should come before remediation.
- ✗
Review firewall logs to see if the traffic is being blocked.
Why it's wrong here
Reviewing logs does not immediately address the active threat. The analyst must act to stop the ongoing communication; log analysis can be performed after containment.
- ✗
Inform the user to shut down the workstation.
Why it's wrong here
Shutting down the workstation would stop the traffic but may destroy volatile evidence (e.g., running processes, memory artifacts). A proper forensic acquisition requires controlled disconnection rather than a shutdown.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the principle that containment (disconnecting the network) must precede eradication (antivirus scan) or analysis (log review), and the trap here is that candidates choose a less disruptive step like running a scan or checking logs, thinking they need more data before acting.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
C2 traffic often uses non-standard ports or encrypted tunnels (e.g., HTTPS over port 443) to evade detection, and the IDS signature may rely on domain reputation or behavioral heuristics rather than packet inspection. Disconnecting the network cable or disabling the network interface (e.g., `ip link set eth0 down` on Linux) immediately terminates TCP sessions and prevents the malware from sending additional commands or exfiltrating data, while preserving the system state for memory forensics (e.g., using FTK Imager or LiME).
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.
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
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.
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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 workstation from the network. — The IDS alert indicates a high volume of outbound traffic to a known C2 server, which strongly suggests the workstation is compromised and communicating with an attacker. Disconnecting the workstation from the network (Option A) is the immediate containment step to prevent data exfiltration and further C2 communication, following the NIST incident response framework's containment phase. This action stops the threat at the network layer without waiting for additional analysis.
What should I do if I get this SY0-701 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
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