- A
A memory capture or RAM image from the live system.
A memory capture is one of the most important volatile data sources because it can reveal running malware, injected code, encryption keys, live network sessions, and command history not stored on disk. Once the system is powered off, this information is lost. Capturing RAM early gives investigators the best chance to reconstruct the attacker’s activity.
- B
A snapshot of active network connections and listening ports.
Active connections and listening ports are volatile and can quickly change or disappear. They help identify command-and-control communication, lateral movement, and suspicious services exposed on the host. Collecting this information before shutdown gives the forensic team immediate leads for containment and deeper analysis.
- C
A full disk image from the powered-off server.
Why wrong: A disk image is valuable, but it is not a volatile source and does not need to be captured before shutdown in the same urgent way. The question asks for data that will be lost first when power is removed. Disk imaging can follow after the live-response phase.
- D
A hardware inventory report from the asset management database.
Why wrong: Hardware inventory is useful for asset management, but it is not time-sensitive volatile evidence from the live system. It does not show attacker activity and will not disappear when the server powers down. The analyst should prioritize live-state artifacts first.
- E
A screenshot of the server’s desktop wallpaper for reference.
Why wrong: A screenshot may document the visual state, but it is not one of the highest-value volatile artifacts for compromise analysis. It is far less useful than RAM or active connections when the system is still live. The priority should be evidence that disappears on shutdown.
Quick Answer
The answer is a snapshot of active network connections and listening ports, along with a memory capture (RAM image). This is correct because the order of volatility dictates that data stored in memory, such as running processes, open network sockets, and encryption keys, is lost the moment the system loses power. Capturing RAM first preserves the live system state, including malware that exists only in memory, while network connection data reveals active communications that vanish when the network interface goes down. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this concept tests your understanding of forensic procedures for a live, compromised system; a common trap is to prioritize disk imaging or system logs, which are less volatile and can be collected after shutdown. Remember the mnemonic “RAM and Net, don’t forget yet” to recall that memory and network state are the first two items in the order of volatility.
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 Windows server is still running after suspected compromise. Before it is powered down, which two volatile data sources should be collected first? Select two.
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
A memory capture or RAM image from the live system.
A memory capture (RAM image) preserves volatile data that is lost on power-down, including running processes, open network connections, encryption keys, and malware that exists only in memory. This is critical for forensic analysis of a live system suspected of compromise, as it captures the system state at the time of collection.
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.
- ✓
A memory capture or RAM image from the live system.
Why this is correct
A memory capture is one of the most important volatile data sources because it can reveal running malware, injected code, encryption keys, live network sessions, and command history not stored on disk. Once the system is powered off, this information is lost. Capturing RAM early gives investigators the best chance to reconstruct the attacker’s activity.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
A snapshot of active network connections and listening ports.
Why this is correct
Active connections and listening ports are volatile and can quickly change or disappear. They help identify command-and-control communication, lateral movement, and suspicious services exposed on the host. Collecting this information before shutdown gives the forensic team immediate leads for containment and deeper analysis.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
A full disk image from the powered-off server.
Why it's wrong here
A disk image is valuable, but it is not a volatile source and does not need to be captured before shutdown in the same urgent way. The question asks for data that will be lost first when power is removed. Disk imaging can follow after the live-response phase.
- ✗
A hardware inventory report from the asset management database.
Why it's wrong here
Hardware inventory is useful for asset management, but it is not time-sensitive volatile evidence from the live system. It does not show attacker activity and will not disappear when the server powers down. The analyst should prioritize live-state artifacts first.
- ✗
A screenshot of the server’s desktop wallpaper for reference.
Why it's wrong here
A screenshot may document the visual state, but it is not one of the highest-value volatile artifacts for compromise analysis. It is far less useful than RAM or active connections when the system is still live. The priority should be evidence that disappears on shutdown.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the order of volatility and select a disk image (Option C) as a first step, not realizing that volatile data like RAM and network connections must be collected before powering down the system.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Hardware inventory is useful for asset management, but it is not time-sensitive volatile evidence from the live system. It does not show attacker activity and will not disappear when the server powers down. The analyst should prioritize live-state artifacts first.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Volatile data collection follows the order of volatility (RFC 3227), with RAM being the most volatile (lost immediately on power loss), followed by network state (routing tables, ARP cache, active connections). Tools like FTK Imager or WinPmem can capture a memory dump, while netstat -anob or PowerShell Get-NetTCPConnection can snapshot active connections and listening ports, which may reveal C2 channels or lateral movement indicators.
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 developer is choosing between AES-256 (symmetric) and RSA-2048 (asymmetric) for encrypting a large file that will be sent to a partner. Symmetric encryption is fast but requires key exchange; asymmetric is slower but solves the key distribution problem. A hybrid approach — encrypt the file with AES, encrypt the AES key with RSA — is standard. Questions like this test whether you understand when each approach applies.
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: A memory capture or RAM image from the live system. — A memory capture (RAM image) preserves volatile data that is lost on power-down, including running processes, open network connections, encryption keys, and malware that exists only in memory. This is critical for forensic analysis of a live system suspected of compromise, as it captures the system state at the time of collection.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on SY0-701
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A server is suspected of being used for lateral movement after the SOC notices dozens of failed SSH logons, then a successful login from a new source IP, followed by new outbound SMB connections to internal hosts. The system is still running. Which two items should be collected first before any reboot or remediation? Select two.
hard- ✓ A.A current list of logged-in users and active sessions, because it shows who has access right now.
- ✓ B.Live network connection information, because it shows current remote targets and suspicious channels.
- C.The server’s warranty status, because hardware replacement may be needed later.
- D.A fresh operating system patch, because updating quickly reduces all risk.
- E.A user satisfaction survey, because affected staff can describe what they noticed.
Why A: Option A is correct because capturing a current list of logged-in users and active sessions provides immediate visibility into which accounts are currently authenticated and potentially being used by an attacker for lateral movement. This data is volatile and would be lost upon reboot, making it critical to collect before any remediation. In this scenario, the successful SSH login from a new source IP suggests an attacker may have established a foothold, and knowing active sessions helps identify compromised accounts and ongoing access.
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This SY0-701 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the SY0-701 exam.
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