- A
Isolate the endpoint from the network while keeping it powered on for investigation.
This is the correct first action because the host shows clear signs of active compromise and possible credential theft. Network isolation limits further spread and command-and-control activity, while leaving the system powered on preserves volatile evidence for later analysis. That balance supports both containment and investigation, which is the right sequence when EDR indicates live malicious behavior.
- B
Delete the user's profile to stop the malicious process immediately.
Why wrong: Deleting the profile is destructive, may miss the root cause, and destroys useful evidence for investigation.
- C
Patch the word processor before reviewing any alerts or logs.
Why wrong: Patching may be needed later, but it does not contain an active incident or preserve investigation data.
- D
Reboot the system immediately to clear anything running in memory.
Why wrong: A reboot can destroy volatile evidence and may allow the attacker to regain access after restart.
SY0-701 Security Operations Practice Question
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of security operations. 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.
EDR detects encoded PowerShell launched from a word processor, a process attempt to read LSASS memory, and an outbound HTTPS connection to a rare domain. What should the analyst do first?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"first"Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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
Isolate the endpoint from the network while keeping it powered on for investigation.
The EDR alerts indicate a likely credential theft attempt (LSASS read) and C2 communication (rare domain). Isolating the endpoint preserves forensic evidence in memory and disk while preventing further data exfiltration or lateral movement, which is the immediate containment priority per incident response best practices.
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.
- ✓
Isolate the endpoint from the network while keeping it powered on for investigation.
Why this is correct
This is the correct first action because the host shows clear signs of active compromise and possible credential theft. Network isolation limits further spread and command-and-control activity, while leaving the system powered on preserves volatile evidence for later analysis. That balance supports both containment and investigation, which is the right sequence when EDR indicates live malicious behavior.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Delete the user's profile to stop the malicious process immediately.
Why it's wrong here
Deleting the profile is destructive, may miss the root cause, and destroys useful evidence for investigation.
- ✗
Patch the word processor before reviewing any alerts or logs.
Why it's wrong here
Patching may be needed later, but it does not contain an active incident or preserve investigation data.
- ✗
Reboot the system immediately to clear anything running in memory.
Why it's wrong here
A reboot can destroy volatile evidence and may allow the attacker to regain access after restart.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may choose reboot (D) thinking it clears malware, but CompTIA emphasizes preserving evidence and containing the threat first, as rebooting destroys volatile data needed for forensic analysis.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
LSASS (Local Security Authority Subsystem Service) stores cached credentials and Kerberos tickets in memory; tools like Mimikatz use API calls (e.g., OpenProcess, MiniDumpWriteDump) to read it. EDR telemetry showing a word processor spawning encoded PowerShell suggests a macro or exploit delivering a payload that then attempts credential dumping and C2 via HTTPS (port 443) to a rare domain, which is a classic lateral movement precursor. Isolation via network ACL or EDR agent disconnects the NIC while keeping the system running, preserving memory dumps and process trees for analysis.
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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Security Operations — This question tests Security Operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Isolate the endpoint from the network while keeping it powered on for investigation. — The EDR alerts indicate a likely credential theft attempt (LSASS read) and C2 communication (rare domain). Isolating the endpoint preserves forensic evidence in memory and disk while preventing further data exfiltration or lateral movement, which is the immediate containment priority per incident response best practices.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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