Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A security analyst receives an alert from the intrusion detection system indicating that a workstation in the finance department has established an outbound connection to a known malicious IP address using an encrypted protocol. The analyst verifies the alert and checks the user's activity logs, which show no legitimate business reason for the connection. According to the incident response process, what should the analyst do NEXT?
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
Begin the eradication phase by immediately reimaging the workstation.
Reimaging is part of the eradication and recovery phases. It should only be performed after containment and after any necessary forensic data has been collected. Skipping containment could allow the threat to spread further.
B
Best answer
Isolate the workstation from the network to contain the threat.
Isolation is a key containment step. It stops the compromised workstation from communicating with the malicious IP and prevents lateral movement within the network, limiting potential damage.
C
Distractor review
Conduct a full forensic analysis of the workstation's hard drive.
Forensic analysis is important for understanding the scope of the incident, but it typically occurs after containment. Performing analysis before containment may allow the threat to continue operating and causing harm.
D
Distractor review
Update the firewall rule to block all outbound traffic to the malicious IP.
While updating a firewall rule can help block further connections to the malicious IP, it does not address the already compromised workstation, which may still be able to use other protocols or paths to communicate out. Isolating the workstation is more immediate and comprehensive.
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 workstation from the network to contain the threat. — After an incident is identified (the alert and verification), the immediate priority is to contain the threat to prevent further damage or data loss. Isolating the workstation (option B) is a standard containment action. Reimaging (option A) is part of eradication and recovery, which should occur after containment and possibly forensic imaging. Conducting a full forensic analysis (option C) is important but typically performed after containment and before eradication, not as the very next step. Updating a firewall rule (option D) may be a broader containment measure but does not address the active compromised system; the workstation can still initiate outbound connections through other ports or protocols. Therefore, the correct next step is to isolate the workstation.
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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