An EDR alert shows suspicious PowerShell activity on a remote employee laptop, and the user is still logged in to cloud applications. Which two response actions are best if the device is believed to be actively compromised? Select two.
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.
Best answer
Isolate the endpoint through the EDR tool or quarantine its network access.
Network isolation is the fastest way to stop additional attacker communication, lateral movement, and command execution from the compromised laptop. It contains the incident while preserving the system state for investigation. EDR quarantine is particularly useful for remote devices because it can be applied without physical access to the endpoint.
Best answer
Collect a live response package or volatile data before cleanup begins.
Live response data can reveal running processes, network sessions, loaded modules, and persistence mechanisms that would otherwise disappear. In a suspected compromise, that information is vital for understanding scope and root cause. Collecting it before cleanup preserves evidence and supports later eradication and recovery steps.
Distractor review
Power off the laptop immediately to stop the activity as fast as possible.
Powering off can destroy volatile evidence and may not be necessary if EDR isolation is available. Although shutdown stops the local process, it also removes the chance to collect useful live-state artifacts. The safer approach is to contain first and capture evidence before full remediation.
Distractor review
Wait until the user returns the laptop to the office for physical inspection.
Delaying response leaves the compromised system active and connected for too long. Remote containment is specifically designed to avoid that delay. Waiting also gives the attacker more time to move laterally or abuse the user’s cloud sessions.
Distractor review
Remove the EDR agent so the attacker cannot detect the investigation.
Removing the EDR agent eliminates a core defensive control and may give the attacker more freedom to operate. It also reduces visibility during the incident. The endpoint should be contained and monitored, not stripped of protective tooling.
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: Isolate the endpoint through the EDR tool or quarantine its network access. — The best actions are to isolate the endpoint through EDR and collect live response data before cleanup starts. Isolation quickly cuts off attacker communication and limits spread, while live artifacts preserve evidence that will disappear if the system is powered off or remediated too early. This sequence supports both immediate containment and a well-informed investigation. Why others are wrong: Powering off, waiting for physical access, or removing the EDR agent all work against incident response goals. They either destroy evidence, leave the attacker active, or reduce visibility into the compromise. When remote containment is available, the analyst should use it first and gather live data before cleanup.
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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