Question 1mediummulti select
Full question →mediummulti selectObjective-mapped
Several corporate laptops occasionally boot from a removable drive containing an untrusted recovery tool before Windows loads. The security team wants to reduce the chance of pre-boot tampering and unauthorized boot media use. Which two controls are most effective? 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
Enable UEFI Secure Boot.
Secure Boot helps ensure that only trusted boot components load during startup. It reduces the chance that a malicious or untrusted bootloader can run before the operating system takes control.
B
Best answer
Disable booting from external media or protect the firmware setup with a password.
Blocking external boot sources and protecting firmware settings makes it harder for someone to redirect the device to an unapproved recovery environment. This is an important physical and administrative safeguard for endpoint integrity.
C
Distractor review
Keep local administrator rights so users can recover faster.
Local admin rights do not protect the pre-boot environment and can actually increase endpoint risk. User convenience is not a substitute for controlling firmware and boot behavior.
D
Distractor review
Turn off disk encryption because it slows startup.
Disabling disk encryption would make the device easier to compromise if it is lost or physically accessed. It does not address unauthorized boot media and would remove another major protection layer.
E
Distractor review
Move the laptops to a different subnet.
Network placement does not stop a local attacker from booting from removable media. This problem is occurring before the operating system loads, so the fix must target firmware and boot controls.
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
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?
Authentication checks who the user is.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable UEFI Secure Boot. — The right controls operate before the operating system starts. Secure Boot helps ensure trusted boot components load, while disabling external boot or protecting the firmware setup prevents users or attackers from launching an unapproved recovery tool. Together, these controls reduce pre-boot tampering and protect endpoint integrity in a way that network-based controls cannot. Why others are wrong: Local admin rights, disk encryption alone, and network changes do not stop someone from changing the boot path. The issue happens in firmware and at startup, so the solution must focus on the boot chain and device settings rather than post-boot privileges or subnet design.
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.
Discussion
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