Question 1easymultiple choice
Full question →easymultiple choiceObjective-mapped
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?
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
Best answer
Run a configuration compliance scan against the updated baseline
A compliance scan directly compares the endpoint settings to the approved baseline and identifies gaps quickly.
B
Distractor review
Ask users whether they think their laptops are secure
User opinion is not reliable evidence that the system matches the required security settings.
C
Distractor review
Assume the baseline was applied because the change ticket was approved
Approval does not prove deployment success; verification is still needed on the actual devices.
D
Distractor review
Delete the old baseline so there is only one policy to reference
Removing the baseline does not verify anything and may reduce your ability to compare configurations.
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.
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?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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 is the best verification method because it checks actual endpoint settings against the approved baseline. This provides objective evidence that the hardening changes were applied correctly across the finance laptops. Approval of a change or user feedback does not prove the devices were configured as intended, so direct validation is required to ensure the control is effective. Why others are wrong: Users cannot reliably confirm technical security settings. A change ticket shows authorization, not successful implementation. Deleting the old baseline removes comparison history and makes validation harder. The goal here is not just to manage the change, but to prove the endpoints are now configured as required.
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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