This VCP-DCV practice question tests your understanding of vsphere security. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
An administrator needs to lock down an ESXi host for FIPS 140-2 compliance. Which step must be taken?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable lockdown mode on the ESXi host.
Option C is correct. The ESXi host must be placed in lockdown mode to restrict direct access. Option A is incorrect because SSH can still be used even if the shell is disabled; lockdown mode disables both. Option B is incorrect because host profiles help configure but do not enforce lockdown. Option D is incorrect because FIPS mode is a separate configuration.
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 the ESXi Shell and SSH services.
Why it's wrong here
Disabling services does not prevent access via vCenter; lockdown mode is required.
✓
Enable lockdown mode on the ESXi host.
Why this is correct
Lockdown mode restricts direct console and SSH access, enforcing FIPS requirements.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Configure a host profile with a security policy.
Why it's wrong here
Host profiles only apply settings; they do not enforce lockdown automatically.
✗
Enable FIPS mode in the host's BIOS.
Why it's wrong here
FIPS mode is a vSphere feature configured in the host's advance settings, not BIOS.
Common exam traps
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.
Detailed technical explanation
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.
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 practitioner preparing for the VCP-DCV exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which VCP-DCV exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
vSphere Security — This question tests vSphere Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable lockdown mode on the ESXi host. — Option C is correct. The ESXi host must be placed in lockdown mode to restrict direct access. Option A is incorrect because SSH can still be used even if the shell is disabled; lockdown mode disables both. Option B is incorrect because host profiles help configure but do not enforce lockdown. Option D is incorrect because FIPS mode is a separate configuration.
What should I do if I get this VCP-DCV question wrong?
Identify which VCP-DCV exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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