- A
Disable services that the server does not need to perform its job.
Turning off unnecessary services reduces the number of programs that could be exploited. A hardened baseline should keep only the functions required for the server's role.
- B
Close unused listening ports with the host firewall or service configuration.
Unused open ports create unnecessary exposure to scanning and attack. Closing them is a basic hardening step because it reduces the server's attack surface.
- C
Install extra administrative tools on the server for convenience.
Why wrong: Extra tools may be useful to an administrator, but they also add software that must be maintained and secured. Hardening focuses on minimizing unnecessary components.
- D
Enable passwordless remote shell access for faster troubleshooting.
Why wrong: Passwordless access removes an authentication check and increases the risk of unauthorized access. Convenience should not override secure access controls on a server baseline.
- E
Leave sample accounts and default demo content in place for testing.
Why wrong: Sample accounts and default content are common attack targets and should be removed or disabled in production. They do not belong in a secure baseline.
SY0-701 Security Architecture Practice Question
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of security architecture. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A system administrator is creating a secure baseline for a new Linux application server. Which two actions are appropriate hardening steps? Select two.
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
Disable services that the server does not need to perform its job.
Disabling unnecessary services reduces the attack surface by removing potential entry points for exploitation. In a Linux server baseline, services like Telnet, FTP, or unused web servers should be disabled using systemctl or by removing the associated packages. This aligns with the principle of least functionality, ensuring only required processes run.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Disable services that the server does not need to perform its job.
Why this is correct
Turning off unnecessary services reduces the number of programs that could be exploited. A hardened baseline should keep only the functions required for the server's role.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Close unused listening ports with the host firewall or service configuration.
Why this is correct
Unused open ports create unnecessary exposure to scanning and attack. Closing them is a basic hardening step because it reduces the server's attack surface.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Install extra administrative tools on the server for convenience.
Why it's wrong here
Extra tools may be useful to an administrator, but they also add software that must be maintained and secured. Hardening focuses on minimizing unnecessary components.
- ✗
Enable passwordless remote shell access for faster troubleshooting.
Why it's wrong here
Passwordless access removes an authentication check and increases the risk of unauthorized access. Convenience should not override secure access controls on a server baseline.
- ✗
Leave sample accounts and default demo content in place for testing.
Why it's wrong here
Sample accounts and default content are common attack targets and should be removed or disabled in production. They do not belong in a secure baseline.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may think convenience tools or default content are harmless, but the SY0-701 exam emphasizes that any unnecessary service, port, or account is a security risk that must be eliminated in a secure baseline.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Disabling unused services often involves checking listening ports with ss -tlnp and stopping services via systemctl disable --now. Closing unused ports with a host firewall (e.g., iptables or nftables) or service configuration (e.g., editing /etc/ssh/sshd_config to restrict Port) prevents network-level access to daemons that may have vulnerabilities. In a real-world scenario, a default Apache installation might expose CGI scripts or sample pages that have known exploits, so removing them is critical for compliance with standards like CIS Benchmarks.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A security team runs a vulnerability scan on a web application and discovers an unpatched SQL injection flaw. The team prioritises remediation by CVSS score — critical flaws are patched within 24 hours, high within 7 days. Questions like this test whether you understand vulnerability management processes, scanning tools, and remediation prioritisation.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Security Architecture — This question tests Security Architecture — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Disable services that the server does not need to perform its job. — Disabling unnecessary services reduces the attack surface by removing potential entry points for exploitation. In a Linux server baseline, services like Telnet, FTP, or unused web servers should be disabled using systemctl or by removing the associated packages. This aligns with the principle of least functionality, ensuring only required processes run.
What should I do if I get this SY0-701 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This SY0-701 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the SY0-701 exam.
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