- A
A current list of logged-in users and active sessions, because it shows who has access right now.
Active session information is volatile and can disappear on reboot. It helps identify whether a legitimate user, compromised account, or attacker shell is currently present on the server. That makes it one of the highest-value items to capture first.
- B
Live network connection information, because it shows current remote targets and suspicious channels.
Live connection data can reveal command-and-control paths, internal spread, and the systems the server is talking to right now. Since the scenario includes outbound SMB activity, capturing this volatile evidence is critical before shutdown or remediation changes the picture.
- C
The server’s warranty status, because hardware replacement may be needed later.
Why wrong: Warranty information may be useful for operations, but it has no direct value for preserving volatile evidence in a suspected compromise. It does not help reconstruct attacker actions or live connections.
- D
A fresh operating system patch, because updating quickly reduces all risk.
Why wrong: Patching may be part of recovery, but it changes the system state and can destroy evidence before it is captured. The priority here is preserving live data, not immediately modifying the host.
- E
A user satisfaction survey, because affected staff can describe what they noticed.
Why wrong: User statements can assist the investigation later, but they are not a substitute for collecting volatile host data. The first priority is preserving technical evidence that will vanish if the server is restarted.
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 server is suspected of being used for lateral movement after the SOC notices dozens of failed SSH logons, then a successful login from a new source IP, followed by new outbound SMB connections to internal hosts. The system is still running. Which two items should be collected first before any reboot or remediation? Select two.
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
A current list of logged-in users and active sessions, because it shows who has access right now.
Option A is correct because capturing a current list of logged-in users and active sessions provides immediate visibility into which accounts are currently authenticated and potentially being used by an attacker for lateral movement. This data is volatile and would be lost upon reboot, making it critical to collect before any remediation. In this scenario, the successful SSH login from a new source IP suggests an attacker may have established a foothold, and knowing active sessions helps identify compromised accounts and ongoing 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.
- ✓
A current list of logged-in users and active sessions, because it shows who has access right now.
Why this is correct
Active session information is volatile and can disappear on reboot. It helps identify whether a legitimate user, compromised account, or attacker shell is currently present on the server. That makes it one of the highest-value items to capture first.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Live network connection information, because it shows current remote targets and suspicious channels.
Why this is correct
Live connection data can reveal command-and-control paths, internal spread, and the systems the server is talking to right now. Since the scenario includes outbound SMB activity, capturing this volatile evidence is critical before shutdown or remediation changes the picture.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The server’s warranty status, because hardware replacement may be needed later.
Why it's wrong here
Warranty information may be useful for operations, but it has no direct value for preserving volatile evidence in a suspected compromise. It does not help reconstruct attacker actions or live connections.
- ✗
A fresh operating system patch, because updating quickly reduces all risk.
Why it's wrong here
Patching may be part of recovery, but it changes the system state and can destroy evidence before it is captured. The priority here is preserving live data, not immediately modifying the host.
- ✗
A user satisfaction survey, because affected staff can describe what they noticed.
Why it's wrong here
User statements can assist the investigation later, but they are not a substitute for collecting volatile host data. The first priority is preserving technical evidence that will vanish if the server is restarted.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may prioritize remediation actions like patching or hardware checks over preserving volatile forensic evidence, failing to recognize that live user sessions and network connections are the most time-sensitive data to collect before any system change.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In Linux, the 'w' or 'who' commands show logged-in users and their originating IPs, while 'ss' or 'netstat -anp' reveals active network connections, including outbound SMB (port 445) traffic to internal hosts. Collecting this volatile data before reboot is essential because memory-resident processes and network sockets are lost on shutdown, and the attacker may have established persistence mechanisms that would be hidden after a reboot. In real-world incidents, attackers often use stolen SSH keys or credentials to move laterally via SMB, and capturing live sessions can reveal the attacker's current source IP and the internal targets they are connecting to.
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.
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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: A current list of logged-in users and active sessions, because it shows who has access right now. — Option A is correct because capturing a current list of logged-in users and active sessions provides immediate visibility into which accounts are currently authenticated and potentially being used by an attacker for lateral movement. This data is volatile and would be lost upon reboot, making it critical to collect before any remediation. In this scenario, the successful SSH login from a new source IP suggests an attacker may have established a foothold, and knowing active sessions helps identify compromised accounts and ongoing 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: "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.
About these practice questions
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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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