Question 1hardmultiple choice
Full question →hardmultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A Windows file server was built from a gold image, but six months later a scan shows Remote Desktop enabled, SMBv1 re-enabled, and Print Spooler running. The same drift appears on several other servers after emergency troubleshooting. Security wants to return the environment to the approved baseline and prevent the changes from coming back. What is the best solution?
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
Document the deviations and rely on manual checks after each maintenance window
Manual review can catch some issues, but it is too slow and inconsistent for repeated drift across multiple servers. It also depends on people remembering to recheck the same settings every time.
B
Best answer
Deploy configuration management that enforces the hardened baseline continuously
Continuous configuration management is the best answer because it can reapply the approved baseline and correct drift across many systems automatically. This approach does more than detect the problem; it helps prevent the same insecure settings from persisting after troubleshooting or emergency changes. It is the most effective way to standardize hardening at scale and keep the environment aligned to policy.
C
Distractor review
Run a vulnerability scan more often and close the findings in the ticketing system
Scanning finds issues, but it does not fix configuration drift by itself. Closing tickets without enforcing the settings would leave the insecure services enabled and the problem recurring.
D
Distractor review
Increase storage capacity so the image can be rebuilt faster next time
Faster rebuilds may help recovery after a failure, but they do not address why the servers drifted from the baseline in the first place. The immediate problem is secure configuration enforcement, not disk space.
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: Deploy configuration management that enforces the hardened baseline continuously — Configuration management that enforces the hardened baseline is the best solution because it both restores and maintains the approved settings. Since the drift affects multiple servers after troubleshooting, a repeatable control is needed instead of one-off manual fixes. Continuous enforcement reduces the chance that risky services such as SMBv1 or Print Spooler stay enabled after emergency work is completed. Why others are wrong: Option A is too dependent on human memory and does not scale. Option C only identifies the issue after the fact. Option D helps recovery speed, but it does not stop insecure settings from returning.
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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