Question 1mediummulti select
Full question →mediummulti selectObjective-mapped
A company wants to detect unauthorized changes to production server configurations before users notice an outage. Which two controls best fit this goal? 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.
A
Best answer
File integrity monitoring on critical system files
This detects unexpected changes to protected files and configuration artifacts after they occur.
B
Best answer
Centralized alerting on configuration-change events from the SIEM
This can detect suspicious change activity by correlating and alerting on administrative actions.
C
Distractor review
Full-disk encryption on the server volumes
This protects stored data if the server is stolen, but it does not detect change activity.
D
Distractor review
Multifactor authentication for remote administrators
This reduces the chance of unauthorized access, but it does not directly detect configuration tampering.
E
Distractor review
Network segmentation between user VLANs and server VLANs
This limits lateral movement, but it is not a control for detecting file or configuration changes.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication checks who the user is.
- Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
- Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
- AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
- Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
- Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
- Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
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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
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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
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Authentication checks who the user is.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: File integrity monitoring on critical system files — File integrity monitoring is a classic detective control because it compares current files or settings against a trusted baseline and alerts when something changes unexpectedly. Centralized SIEM alerting on configuration events is also detective because it collects logs from servers and raises alarms when privileged actions or abnormal patterns appear. Together, these controls help the team find unauthorized modifications quickly, which is important when the requirement is to detect changes before users experience a failure. Why others are wrong: Full-disk encryption protects confidentiality if storage is lost, but it does not alert on live configuration changes. Multifactor authentication is preventive because it makes account compromise harder, yet it still will not reveal a tampered setting. Network segmentation can reduce blast radius and lateral movement, but it does not monitor file integrity or configuration events directly.
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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