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 scan finds a critical patch missing on a public-facing web server. The patch has already been tested in the lab and approved for deployment. What should the operations team do next?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Deploy the patch through the normal change process as soon as possible
Option B is correct because the patch has already been tested and approved, meaning it is ready for deployment. The operations team should follow the normal change management process to deploy the patch as soon as possible, ensuring the public-facing web server is secured against the critical vulnerability without bypassing organizational controls.
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.
✗
Ignore the finding because the server is already protected by a firewall
Why it's wrong here
A firewall reduces exposure, but it does not remove the underlying software vulnerability.
✓
Deploy the patch through the normal change process as soon as possible
Why this is correct
A tested and approved patch should be moved into production quickly through the standard change process to reduce exposure.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Mark the vulnerability as accepted risk without notifying the business
Why it's wrong here
Risk acceptance requires authorization, documentation, and business awareness, not quiet dismissal.
✗
Remove the web server from the asset inventory to prevent the scanner from finding it
Why it's wrong here
Hiding assets does not improve security and prevents proper visibility and maintenance.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume a firewall or risk acceptance can substitute for patching a known vulnerability, but the exam emphasizes that compensating controls (like firewalls) do not eliminate the need for patch management, and risk acceptance requires formal business notification and approval.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Change management ensures that patch deployment follows a structured workflow, including scheduling, rollback planning, and verification, to minimize service disruption. In real-world scenarios, even tested patches can cause unforeseen issues (e.g., dependency conflicts or configuration drift), so the change process provides a safety net. The patch's prior lab testing and approval reduce risk but do not eliminate the need for operational coordination, especially on a public-facing server where availability is critical.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this SY0-701 question in full detail.
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: Deploy the patch through the normal change process as soon as possible — Option B is correct because the patch has already been tested and approved, meaning it is ready for deployment. The operations team should follow the normal change management process to deploy the patch as soon as possible, ensuring the public-facing web server is secured against the critical vulnerability without bypassing organizational controls.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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