Question 675 of 1,152

Security Operations →hardMultiple SelectObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The best two response actions are to isolate the endpoint from the network and collect an EDR triage package or memory-focused artifact before powering the device off. Isolation immediately stops the active HTTPS command-and-control communication and prevents lateral movement, which is critical when a suspicious PowerShell process spawned by a word processor creates a scheduled task named WinUpdateSvc and connects to a rare external domain—a classic malware infection chain. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of incident response priorities: containment first, then forensic preservation. A common trap is to immediately power off the device, which destroys volatile memory evidence; instead, you must collect a triage package first. Remember the mnemonic “Isolate, then Collect” to keep the sequence straight: cut the attacker’s access, then save the evidence.

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 reports that a workstation launched PowerShell from a word processor, created a scheduled task named WinUpdateSvc, and began making repeated HTTPS connections to a rare external domain. The user is still logged in to several cloud apps. Which two response actions are best to initiate from the EDR console? Select two.

Clue words in this question

Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.

Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.

Question 1hardmulti select

Full question →

A
Isolate the endpoint from the network to stop further communication and lateral movement.
Isolation is the fastest way to contain a compromised endpoint when the device is still active. It prevents additional command-and-control traffic, reduces the chance of lateral movement, and can be done without immediately shutting down the machine. This is the primary EDR containment action in a live incident.
B
Collect an EDR triage package or memory-focused artifact before powering the device off.
A triage package preserves valuable live-response evidence such as process lists, persistence artifacts, network connections, and sometimes memory-related data. Capturing this information before power loss improves later investigation and scoping. It is the right complement to isolation when the system is still accessible.
C
Delete the scheduled task immediately so the host returns to normal operation.
Why wrong: Deleting artifacts too early can destroy evidence and does not guarantee the malware is removed. It may also cause the attacker to react or trigger secondary payloads. Containment and collection should come before destructive cleanup.
D
Reimage the workstation from the golden image as the first response.
Why wrong: Reimaging is a remediation step, but it is too early if the team still needs evidence and scope. It can wipe useful traces of execution, persistence, and command-and-control activity before they are preserved.
E
Ignore the alert because the PowerShell binary is built into Windows and therefore safe.
Why wrong: Built-in tools are often abused by attackers, so the mere presence of PowerShell does not make the event benign. The suspicious execution chain and beaconing behavior require investigation and containment, not dismissal.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

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 to stop further communication and lateral movement.

Option A is correct because isolating the endpoint from the network immediately stops the active HTTPS command-and-control (C2) communication and prevents lateral movement to other systems. Given the suspicious chain (word processor spawning PowerShell, creating a scheduled task, and connecting to a rare external domain), this is a strong indicator of a malware infection or unauthorized remote access. Isolation preserves the forensic state while cutting off the attacker's access.

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 to stop further communication and lateral movement.
Why this is correct
Isolation is the fastest way to contain a compromised endpoint when the device is still active. It prevents additional command-and-control traffic, reduces the chance of lateral movement, and can be done without immediately shutting down the machine. This is the primary EDR containment action in a live incident.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Collect an EDR triage package or memory-focused artifact before powering the device off.
Why this is correct
A triage package preserves valuable live-response evidence such as process lists, persistence artifacts, network connections, and sometimes memory-related data. Capturing this information before power loss improves later investigation and scoping. It is the right complement to isolation when the system is still accessible.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Delete the scheduled task immediately so the host returns to normal operation.
Why it's wrong here
Deleting artifacts too early can destroy evidence and does not guarantee the malware is removed. It may also cause the attacker to react or trigger secondary payloads. Containment and collection should come before destructive cleanup.
✗
Reimage the workstation from the golden image as the first response.
Why it's wrong here
Reimaging is a remediation step, but it is too early if the team still needs evidence and scope. It can wipe useful traces of execution, persistence, and command-and-control activity before they are preserved.
✗
Ignore the alert because the PowerShell binary is built into Windows and therefore safe.
Why it's wrong here
Built-in tools are often abused by attackers, so the mere presence of PowerShell does not make the event benign. The suspicious execution chain and beaconing behavior require investigation and containment, not dismissal.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

The trap here is that candidates may think deleting the scheduled task (Option C) is sufficient to remediate, but the exam emphasizes that removing artifacts without addressing the root cause is ineffective, and that isolation and forensic collection are the correct first steps in incident response.

Trap categories for this question

Command / output trap
Reimaging is a remediation step, but it is too early if the team still needs evidence and scope. It can wipe useful traces of execution, persistence, and command-and-control activity before they are preserved.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

EDR isolation typically uses a host-based firewall rule or network access control (NAC) to block all traffic except to the EDR management server, preserving the ability to collect telemetry. The scheduled task named 'WinUpdateSvc' mimics a legitimate Windows service to evade casual inspection. The repeated HTTPS connections to a rare domain suggest a C2 channel using encrypted traffic, which bypasses simple signature-based detection but is flagged by behavioral analytics.

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 SOC analyst notices unusual lateral movement in the network at 2 AM. The IR playbook dictates: identify and contain (isolate the affected machine), then eradicate (remove the malware), then recover (restore from backup), then document. Skipping containment before eradication risks the attacker regaining access. Questions like this test the sequence and rationale of incident response phases.

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 to stop further communication and lateral movement. — Option A is correct because isolating the endpoint from the network immediately stops the active HTTPS command-and-control (C2) communication and prevents lateral movement to other systems. Given the suspicious chain (word processor spawning PowerShell, creating a scheduled task, and connecting to a rare external domain), this is a strong indicator of a malware infection or unauthorized remote access. Isolation preserves the forensic state while cutting off the attacker's access.

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: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

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