SY0-701 General Security Concepts Practice Question
Exhibit
MDM remediation log: Device: FIN-LT-14 Issue: Local firewall profile modified by user Policy baseline: Company-Standard-Windows-14 Action: policy sync scheduled at next check-in Result: approved firewall rules reapplied automatically after the device reconnected Help desk note: The user changed local settings to troubleshoot a personal printer and did not restore them.
Based on the exhibit, what control type is the automated reapplication of the baseline?
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
✓
Corrective control, because the MDM agent restores the approved baseline after the unauthorized change is found.
The automatic reapplication of the approved firewall baseline is a corrective control because it fixes a configuration that drifted away from the secure standard. The user was able to make the change, so the control was not preventive. The MDM system then returned the device to its approved state, which is the defining behavior of correction rather than simple detection or deterrence. Why others are wrong: The user change was already allowed to happen, so the control was not preventive. The log shows an automatic restoration, not just an alert, so it is more than detective. A deterrent would merely discourage changes through warnings or visibility. The key evidence is the platform's automatic rollback to the approved baseline after the deviation was found.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Preventive control, because the system prevented the user from changing the firewall profile at all.
Why it's wrong here
A preventive control would stop the risky change before it occurs. In the exhibit, the user successfully changed the firewall profile, and only later did the MDM system restore the approved settings. Since the unwanted action was allowed to happen first, the automated fix is not preventive.
- ✓
Corrective control, because the MDM agent restores the approved baseline after the unauthorized change is found.
Why this is correct
Corrective control is the best answer because the system repairs the deviation after it has already happened. The user altered the firewall profile, and then the management platform reapplied the approved baseline at the next check-in. This restores the device to the desired secure state, which is exactly what a corrective control is designed to do.
- ✗
Detective control, because the help desk can review the event later.
Why it's wrong here
A detective control would only report that the firewall changed and allow an analyst to review the event. In this exhibit, the MDM platform goes further by automatically restoring the standard configuration. That recovery action means the control is doing more than detection alone.
- ✗
Deterrent control, because the policy baseline discourages users from making changes.
Why it's wrong here
Deterrent controls make people think twice, such as warning banners or visible cameras. A baseline profile by itself may influence behavior, but the important behavior in the exhibit is automatic repair after the change. Because the platform restores the approved rules, the control is corrective rather than merely discouraging.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Access Control Models (DAC, MAC, RBAC)
Key term
Standard
A standard is an agreed-upon set of rules, guidelines, or specifications that ensure consistency, compatibility, and quality across IT products, services, and processes.
Key term
Firewall
A firewall is a network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing traffic based on predetermined security rules to protect trusted internal networks from untrusted external networks.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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