Question 1hardmultiple choice
Full question →hardmultiple choiceObjective-mapped
Exhibit
Current backup design: - Production file server backs up nightly at 23:00 to NAS-Backup over SMB. - NAS-Backup is mounted read/write to the file server 24x7. - Weekly copy job replicates NAS contents to cloud object storage. - Backup credentials are shared with the server admin group. - Last restore test: 14 months ago. Incident summary: - Ransomware encrypted production files and then encrypted the NAS share using the same credentials.
Based on the exhibit, which change best improves recovery resilience against a repeat ransomware incident?
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
Keep the current design and add more NAS storage capacity.
More capacity does not improve survivability. The backup target is still online, writable, and reachable with the same credentials.
B
Distractor review
Move the NAS to the same subnet as the file server for faster backups.
Putting the backup target closer to production may improve speed, but it increases exposure to the same compromise path.
C
Best answer
Use an immutable or offline backup copy that production credentials cannot modify.
The incident showed that the attacker could encrypt both production and the backup share because the backup target stayed online and writable. An immutable or offline copy breaks that dependency and prevents the same credentials from destroying recovery data. In ransomware recovery, backup survivability matters more than convenience, so this change gives the strongest resilience improvement.
D
Distractor review
Shorten the backup retention period to reduce storage use.
Reducing retention may save space, but it also reduces recovery options and does not protect backups from encryption.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
- Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
- The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
- Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
- Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
- Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
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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?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use an immutable or offline backup copy that production credentials cannot modify. — The best improvement is to use an immutable or offline backup copy that production credentials cannot modify. The exhibit shows a classic ransomware failure mode: the backup repository was mounted and reachable, so the same compromise path could destroy both live data and backups. A protected copy, ideally offline or immutable, breaks that chain and gives the business a recoverable source even if production is fully encrypted. Why others are wrong: Adding storage or changing subnet placement does not solve the real weakness: the backups remain writable and exposed. Shortening retention makes recovery harder, not easier. The key operational lesson is that backup media must survive the incident, not just exist during normal operations. Survivable backups are essential for ransomware resilience.
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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