Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A system administrator must run a weekly maintenance script that stops and restarts two services on 50 Linux servers. Security says the job must not use an interactive login and should have only the permissions needed for that task. What is the best approach?
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
Use the root account for the scheduled job so it always succeeds.
Root would work, but it grants far more access than necessary and violates least privilege for routine maintenance.
B
Best answer
Create a dedicated account with sudo rights limited to the required service commands.
A restricted service account with narrowly scoped sudo permissions supports automation while limiting exposure if the job is abused.
C
Distractor review
Ask an administrator to log in manually each week and run the script.
Manual execution is not repeatable, increases human error, and fails the requirement for no interactive login.
D
Distractor review
Store the administrator password in the script so the task can authenticate automatically.
Embedding credentials in code is insecure, hard to audit, and creates a sensitive secret-management problem.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication checks who the user is.
- Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
- Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
- AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
- Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
- Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
- Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
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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.
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Question 2
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Question 3
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Question 4
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Question 5
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Question 6
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Authentication checks who the user is.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a dedicated account with sudo rights limited to the required service commands. — The best approach is a dedicated account with tightly scoped sudo rights that allow only the service stop and restart commands required by the job. This supports automation, auditability, and repeatability while following least privilege. It also avoids interactive logins and avoids giving broad administrative access to a scheduled process. For Security+, this is the practical pattern for secure scripting and privileged task automation. Why others are wrong: Using root is convenient but far too permissive for a routine maintenance task. Manual execution does not meet the requirement for automation and increases the chance of missed or inconsistent changes. Hardcoding credentials is a major operational and security risk because secrets can be exposed in scripts, logs, or backups. The question is about secure administration, not merely making the task run.
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.
Discussion
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