Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
Exhibit
Backup job summary: - Nightly backups land on a network-attached storage device joined to the domain - Weekly copies are exported to a USB drive and kept in a cabinet in the server room - Backup administrators use the same privileged domain accounts as server admins - No immutable or offline copy exists - Restore tests occur quarterly
Based on the exhibit, which backup protection change best improves ransomware resilience and protects the backup media if it is stolen?
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
Distractor review
Enable backup encryption only, because encrypted backups cannot be read if stolen.
Encryption helps protect confidentiality if media is stolen, but it does not stop ransomware from encrypting or deleting backups that are online and writable. The resilience gap remains.
B
Best answer
Add an immutable offline or air-gapped copy with separate backup credentials and regular restore testing.
An immutable or offline copy protects backups from tampering, ransomware, and accidental deletion because the attacker cannot easily modify it. Separate credentials reduce the chance that compromised domain admin accounts can reach every backup copy. Regular restore testing ensures the organization can actually recover when needed. This is the strongest improvement in the exhibit.
C
Distractor review
Move the USB drive into a different cabinet inside the same server room.
A different cabinet offers only physical convenience, not meaningful ransomware resistance. If the server room or connected backup system is compromised, the data can still be lost.
D
Distractor review
Reduce the retention period so backups consume less storage space.
Shorter retention may lower storage use, but it does not improve resilience against malware or theft. In fact, it can reduce recovery options after an incident.
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: Add an immutable offline or air-gapped copy with separate backup credentials and regular restore testing. — The best answer is to add an immutable offline or air-gapped copy and protect it with separate backup credentials. This improves resilience because ransomware cannot easily encrypt or delete a copy that is not continuously writable, and stolen media is less useful when access is tightly controlled. Regular restore testing is also important so the organization knows the backup set is recoverable before an incident occurs. Why others are wrong: Encryption alone protects confidentiality, not availability. Moving the USB drive within the same room does not create a real separation from compromise. Lowering retention reduces recovery history and does nothing to address tampering, malware, or credential theft.
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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