The answer is to run a configuration compliance scan against the updated baseline. This control directly compares the current settings on the finance laptops—such as registry keys, service states, and security policy values—to the hardened baseline, providing automated, objective evidence of alignment. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this concept tests your understanding of technical assessment methods versus administrative or physical controls; a common trap is confusing a compliance scan with a vulnerability scan, but remember that compliance scans check for policy adherence, not just known flaws. For a quick memory tip, think of it as a "baseline audit" that answers "are we following the rules?" rather than "are we vulnerable?"
SY0-701 Security Operations Practice Question
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of security operations. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
After a workstation hardening baseline is updated, the security team wants to confirm that finance laptops actually match the new settings. Which control is the best way to verify this?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Run a configuration compliance scan against the updated baseline
A configuration compliance scan compares the current settings of the finance laptops against the updated hardening baseline. This automated process checks specific registry keys, file permissions, service states, and security policy settings (e.g., via SCAP or CIS benchmarks) to verify alignment. It provides objective, measurable evidence of compliance, unlike subjective user feedback or assumptions.
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.
✓
Run a configuration compliance scan against the updated baseline
Why this is correct
A compliance scan directly compares the endpoint settings to the approved baseline and identifies gaps quickly.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Ask users whether they think their laptops are secure
Why it's wrong here
User opinion is not reliable evidence that the system matches the required security settings.
✗
Assume the baseline was applied because the change ticket was approved
Why it's wrong here
Approval does not prove deployment success; verification is still needed on the actual devices.
✗
Delete the old baseline so there is only one policy to reference
Why it's wrong here
Removing the baseline does not verify anything and may reduce your ability to compare configurations.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse change management approval (Option C) with actual technical verification, overlooking the need for a direct compliance check to confirm implementation.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Configuration compliance scanning typically uses tools like Microsoft SCCM, OpenSCAP, or Qualys to query endpoints via WMI, PowerShell, or SSH, comparing results against a defined benchmark (e.g., CIS Microsoft Windows 10 Benchmark). The scan checks specific registry values (e.g., HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU\NoAutoUpdate = 0), service states (e.g., 'Remote Registry' disabled), and security policy settings (e.g., password length ≥ 14 characters). In real-world scenarios, a scan might reveal that a finance laptop still has an outdated baseline because the GPO update failed due to network isolation or local administrative overrides.
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.
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: Run a configuration compliance scan against the updated baseline — A configuration compliance scan compares the current settings of the finance laptops against the updated hardening baseline. This automated process checks specific registry keys, file permissions, service states, and security policy settings (e.g., via SCAP or CIS benchmarks) to verify alignment. It provides objective, measurable evidence of compliance, unlike subjective user feedback or assumptions.
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: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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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