- A
Disable unnecessary services and remove legacy protocols that are not required.
Disabling Remote Desktop, SMBv1, and the Print Spooler when they are not needed directly reduces attack surface. Legacy protocols and extra services are frequent entry points for attackers. A hardened file server should expose only the functions required for its role and nothing more.
- B
Enforce the approved build with configuration management and drift alerts.
Configuration management helps ensure the server stays aligned with the approved baseline after maintenance or troubleshooting. Drift alerts notify the team when someone changes a setting that should remain fixed. This is the best way to catch re-enabled services before they become a long-term security problem.
- C
Limit administrative access to a dedicated management subnet or jump host.
Restricting admin access to a controlled management path reduces exposure of sensitive services and makes it easier to monitor privileged activity. Even if a service must exist for a valid reason, limiting who can reach it and from where improves the host's overall security posture. It also supports least privilege for administration.
- D
Leave all management ports open so technicians can troubleshoot from anywhere.
Why wrong: Leaving management ports open broadly increases the chance of abuse and makes the server easier to attack. Convenience for troubleshooting is not a substitute for controlled administration. A jump host or management network preserves access without exposing the server to every endpoint.
- E
Turn off logging to reduce the chance that attackers can see the server.
Why wrong: Logging does not increase exposure in the way open ports do, and disabling logs removes valuable evidence and operational visibility. Security teams need logs to detect drift, investigate incidents, and prove what changed. Removing monitoring makes hardening and response much harder.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to disable unnecessary services and legacy protocols, limit administrative access to a dedicated management subnet or jump host, and implement configuration management with drift detection. These three actions directly address the scenario because disabling services like the Print Spooler and removing SMBv1 reduces the attack surface—SMBv1 is infamous for EternalBlue (MS17-010), and the Print Spooler was exploited in PrintNightmare attacks. Limiting admin access to a jump host enforces the principle of least privilege, while drift detection via configuration management tools (e.g., DSC or Ansible) automatically flags when a rebuilt host re-enables those insecure settings, catching changes early. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this tests your understanding of hardening baselines and continuous monitoring—a common trap is choosing only reactive fixes (like patching) instead of proactive controls like drift detection. Memory tip: “Disable, Isolate, Detect” for the three actions—kill the service, lock the admin path, and monitor for config drift.
SY0-701 Security Architecture Practice Question
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of security architecture. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 Windows file server was rebuilt from a gold image, but later troubleshooting re-enabled Remote Desktop, SMBv1, and the Print Spooler. The security team wants to harden the host and catch the same configuration changes early in the future. Which three actions are the best fit? Select three.
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.
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
Disable unnecessary services and remove legacy protocols that are not required.
Option A is correct because disabling unnecessary services like the Print Spooler and removing legacy protocols such as SMBv1 directly reduces the attack surface. SMBv1 is known for vulnerabilities like EternalBlue (MS17-010), and the Print Spooler has been exploited in PrintNightmare attacks. This aligns with the principle of least functionality, a core security architecture concept.
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.
- ✓
Disable unnecessary services and remove legacy protocols that are not required.
Why this is correct
Disabling Remote Desktop, SMBv1, and the Print Spooler when they are not needed directly reduces attack surface. Legacy protocols and extra services are frequent entry points for attackers. A hardened file server should expose only the functions required for its role and nothing more.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Enforce the approved build with configuration management and drift alerts.
Why this is correct
Configuration management helps ensure the server stays aligned with the approved baseline after maintenance or troubleshooting. Drift alerts notify the team when someone changes a setting that should remain fixed. This is the best way to catch re-enabled services before they become a long-term security problem.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Limit administrative access to a dedicated management subnet or jump host.
Why this is correct
Restricting admin access to a controlled management path reduces exposure of sensitive services and makes it easier to monitor privileged activity. Even if a service must exist for a valid reason, limiting who can reach it and from where improves the host's overall security posture. It also supports least privilege for administration.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Leave all management ports open so technicians can troubleshoot from anywhere.
Why it's wrong here
Leaving management ports open broadly increases the chance of abuse and makes the server easier to attack. Convenience for troubleshooting is not a substitute for controlled administration. A jump host or management network preserves access without exposing the server to every endpoint.
- ✗
Turn off logging to reduce the chance that attackers can see the server.
Why it's wrong here
Logging does not increase exposure in the way open ports do, and disabling logs removes valuable evidence and operational visibility. Security teams need logs to detect drift, investigate incidents, and prove what changed. Removing monitoring makes hardening and response much harder.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may think leaving management ports open (D) is necessary for troubleshooting, but the question asks for hardening and early detection, not convenience, and turning off logging (E) is always a security anti-pattern.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Configuration management tools like Microsoft SCCM or Group Policy can enforce a baseline and alert on drift by comparing registry keys, service states, and installed protocols against the gold image. For example, SMBv1 can be disabled via the registry key 'SMB1' under 'HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanServer\Parameters' or through PowerShell's 'Set-SmbServerConfiguration -EnableSMB1Protocol $false'. Drift alerts can be triggered by tools like Azure Policy or Desired State Configuration (DSC) when a service like Spooler is re-enabled.
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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Security Architecture — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Security Architecture practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All SY0-701 questions
1,152 questions across all exam domains
- →
Security+ SY0-701 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
SY0-701 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related SY0-701 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
General Security Concepts practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to General Security Concepts.
Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations.
Security Architecture practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security Architecture.
Security Operations practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security Operations.
Security Program Management and Oversight practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security Program Management and Oversight.
Security+ social engineering questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ social engineering questions.
Security+ cryptography practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ cryptography.
Security+ IAM questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ IAM questions.
Security+ risk management questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ risk management questions.
Security+ incident response questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ incident response questions.
Security+ malware questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ malware questions.
Security+ vulnerability management questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ vulnerability management questions.
Practice this exam
Start a free SY0-701 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Security Architecture — This question tests Security Architecture — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Disable unnecessary services and remove legacy protocols that are not required. — Option A is correct because disabling unnecessary services like the Print Spooler and removing legacy protocols such as SMBv1 directly reduces the attack surface. SMBv1 is known for vulnerabilities like EternalBlue (MS17-010), and the Print Spooler has been exploited in PrintNightmare attacks. This aligns with the principle of least functionality, a core security architecture concept.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Keep practising
More SY0-701 practice questions
- An HR analyst must send a salary file to an external auditor. The auditor only needs names, departments, and salary tota…
- An investigator receives a suspect laptop drive that may be used in court. Which approach best supports a forensically s…
- An investigator must collect data from a suspected insider-threat laptop so the evidence could be used in an HR and lega…
- An NDR tool shows a production web server sending small, periodic DNS queries to random-looking subdomains under a domai…
- An investigator needs to make a forensic image of a suspect laptop without changing the original drive contents. Which t…
- An operations team manages Linux servers over SSH. The security team wants to stop direct management access from employe…
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.