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Quick Answer
The answer is three strong indicators of compromise: a registry key modification creating a run key for persistence, an outbound connection to a known command-and-control (C2) IP address, and an unexpected scheduled task that launches a malicious binary. These IOCs are considered strong because they directly map to attacker behaviors—persistence mechanisms, C2 communication, and automated execution—rather than benign anomalies. On the Security+ SY-701 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between weak IOCs (like a high CPU spike) and strong, evidence-based IOCs that align with the MITRE ATT&CK framework. A common trap is choosing file hash matches, which can be easily changed by polymorphic malware, or DNS lookups, which may be false positives. Focus on IOCs that indicate active adversary control or established footholds. Memory tip: think “PERSIST, CONNECT, EXECUTE” for registry persistence, C2 connections, and scheduled tasks.
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.
A security operations center (SOC) analyst is investigating a potential malware outbreak. Which three of the following indicators of compromise (IOCs) would provide the strongest evidence of malicious activity? (Choose three.)
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
✓
An outbound connection from an internal workstation to a known command-and-control (C2) IP address
An outbound connection to a known C2 IP address is a strong indicator of compromise because it suggests the infected host is communicating with an attacker-controlled server to receive commands or exfiltrate data. This is a direct network-level IOC that is rarely seen in legitimate traffic, especially when the IP is listed in threat intelligence feeds as malicious.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between anecdotal user reports and objective technical IOCs, where candidates mistakenly treat a user complaint or a single benign event as strong evidence of compromise.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
C2 communication often uses HTTP/HTTPS on non-standard ports or employs domain generation algorithms (DGAs) to evade static IP blacklists. A registry run key modification (e.g., HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run) is a classic persistence mechanism that allows malware to survive reboots, and its presence alongside other IOCs like a known malicious file hash strengthens the case for compromise. File hashes (MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256) are used in threat intelligence to uniquely identify malware samples; a match against a known bad hash is a definitive IOC, but note that attackers can modify code to change the hash, so it should be correlated with behavior.
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 developer is choosing between AES-256 (symmetric) and RSA-2048 (asymmetric) for encrypting a large file that will be sent to a partner. Symmetric encryption is fast but requires key exchange; asymmetric is slower but solves the key distribution problem. A hybrid approach — encrypt the file with AES, encrypt the AES key with RSA — is standard. Questions like this test whether you understand when each approach applies.
What to study next
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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: An outbound connection from an internal workstation to a known command-and-control (C2) IP address — An outbound connection to a known C2 IP address is a strong indicator of compromise because it suggests the infected host is communicating with an attacker-controlled server to receive commands or exfiltrate data. This is a direct network-level IOC that is rarely seen in legitimate traffic, especially when the IP is listed in threat intelligence feeds as malicious.
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.
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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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