A company has two security issues to address this week. One is a public-facing login portal that uses default administrator credentials. The other is an internal lab system used only by one tester. Which issue should be prioritized first?
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.
Distractor review
The internal lab system, because it is easier to fix quickly
The lab system is limited in scope, but it is not the bigger business risk.
Best answer
The public-facing login portal, because it has a higher likelihood and impact
This system is exposed to untrusted users and already has default credentials, which greatly raises both likelihood and impact.
Distractor review
Both issues have the same priority because they are both vulnerabilities
Not all vulnerabilities carry the same business risk or urgency for remediation.
Distractor review
Neither issue should be addressed until the next annual review
Waiting would leave a high-risk internet-facing issue exposed longer than acceptable.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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.
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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?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The public-facing login portal, because it has a higher likelihood and impact — The public-facing login portal should be fixed first because it combines external exposure with default administrator credentials. That makes compromise much more likely and the business impact much larger if an attacker gains access. Risk prioritization is not just about finding problems; it is about focusing limited effort on the issue with the greatest expected harm to the organization. Internal lab issues are usually lower priority unless they can affect production or sensitive data. Why others are wrong: The internal lab system has a smaller business impact because it is isolated and used by a limited audience. Saying both issues are equal ignores exposure and potential damage. Delaying both until an annual review would leave a high-risk internet-facing system vulnerable for too long, which is not aligned with basic risk management.
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.
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