Are you ready to take your cybersecurity career to the next level? The CompTIA Security+ certification is a globally recognized standard for IT professionals who want to demonstrate their expertise in network security, risk management, and threat mitigation. This article provides 70 carefully crafted practice questions that mirror the format and difficulty of the actual SY0-701 exam. These questions cover five key domains, giving you a comprehensive review of the essential knowledge and skills you’ll need to pass.
Whether you’re just starting your Security+ journey or looking for a final review before test day, these questions will help you assess your strengths, identify areas for improvement, and gain the confidence you need to succeed.
Table of Contents
CompTIA Security SY0-701 Exam Dumps
01. What type of access control model uses policies that evaluate attributes (user, resource, and environment) to make access decisions?
02. Which principle ensures that critical decisions are not dependent on a single individual?
03. What security concept involves disguising data to hide its true content?
04. Which of the following best defines the concept of ‘availability’ in the context of information security?
05. Which type of security control attempts to discourage security violations before they occur?
06. What term is used to describe the unauthorized tracking of RFID tags?
07. Which security model is specifically designed to prevent conflict of interest when accessing data?
08. Which of the following best describes a ‘man-in-the-middle’ (MITM) attack?
09. What is the primary security concern with ‘shadow IT’?
10. What does a ‘blacklist’ access control strategy involve?
11. A security team is concerned about the potential for data leaks through cloud storage services used by employees. Which of the following strategies would MOST effectively mitigate this risk?
12. Sara, while investigating a security incident, checks the /var/log directory on a Linux system and discovers the audit.log file to be empty, despite the system having been up for over a month. What scenario has she most likely stumbled upon?
13. When evaluating concerns related to the hardware supply chain, which of the following is LEAST likely to be a prevalent issue?
14. Evan is evaluating the motivations behind potential internal threat actors within his organization. Which motivation is MOST likely to drive such an individual?
15. Sophia notices an anomaly in login activities: an employee appears to have logged in from China and then from the United Kingdom within a single hour. How should this be categorized in terms of security concerns?
16. James is required to enter a 6-digit PIN in addition to using his RFID badge at his workplace. What security threat is this additional measure aiming to mitigate?
17. Ethan discovers that traffic from one of their domains is being redirected to a competitor’s site, with administrative details altered. Assuming the domain hasn’t expired, what likely happened?
18. An organization finds that certain outbound traffic is being redirected through an unauthorized IP address. What type of security breach is this indicative of?
19. During a routine audit, an admin discovers several user accounts with unusually high privileges not required for their job roles. What principle is being violated?
20. An organization’s IT department notices slow network performance and traces the issue to a large volume of outbound SMTP traffic. What kind of compromise does this suggest?
21. A security analyst notices an uptick in encrypted traffic bypassing the organization’s secure web gateway. What might be occurring?
22. Evelyn wants to deploy an encryption solution that will protect files in motion as they are copied between file shares, as well as at rest, and also needs it to support granular per-user security. What type of solution should she select?
23. Valerie wants to use a certificate to handle multiple subdomains for her website, including sales.example.com and support.example.com. What type of certificate should she use?
24. What information is analyzed during a gap analysis?
25. Casey’s team has recommended an application restart for a production customer-facing application as part of an urgent patch due to a security update. What technical implication is the most common concern when conducting an application restart?
26. Using a tool like git is most frequently associated with what critical change management process?
27. Evelyn is concerned that the password used for one of his organization’s services is weak, and he wants to make it harder to crack by making it harder to test possible keys during a brute-force attack. What is this technique called?
28. Log monitoring is an example of what control category?
29. James wants to make offline brute-force attacks against his password file very difficult for attackers. Which of the following is NOT a common technique to make passwords harder to crack?
30. Diffie-Hellman and RSA are both examples of what important encryption-related solution?
31. Emma wants to ensure that her change management process includes a procedure for what to do if the change fails. What should she create to handle this possibility?
32. A rapidly growing e-commerce company has recently experienced an increase in cross-site scripting (XSS) and SQL injection attacks. To specifically combat these types of threats at the application layer, which firewall solution is most suitable?
33. SafeGaurdPlus, a cybersecurity firm, is tasked with deploying an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) for an enterprise client. Where should the IDS be positioned to optimally detect malicious activity?
34. ABC Corp’s software development team has developed an application with unique and innovative algorithms. To prevent competitors from copying or replicating their application’s functionality, what legal protection should the company seek?
35. When designing services in a microservices architecture, what principle ensures each service performs a specific task and interacts with others through well-defined interfaces?
36. A multinational organization with multiple branch offices seeks a technology to simplify their WAN connectivity, reduce costs, and ensure secure data transfers between offices. Which technology best fits their needs?
37. A financial company aims to improve web browsing security by intercepting web traffic to prevent access to malicious sites and malware downloads. What solution acts as an intermediary for client resource requests?
38. What is the primary purpose of conducting regular security audits within an organization?
39. In incident response, what is the FIRST step that should be taken after identifying a security breach?
40. Which tool is MOST effective for detecting unauthorized changes to software and system configurations?
41. Which of the following best describes the role of a Security Operations Center (SOC)?
42. What is the primary goal of implementing a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system?
43. In the context of digital forensics, what is the primary importance of maintaining a chain of custody for evidence?
44. Which strategy is MOST effective in ensuring data recovery in the event of a catastrophic failure?
45. What is the primary function of an intrusion prevention system (IPS)?
46. Which phase of the incident response process involves actions taken to repair and restore systems or data affected by a cybersecurity incident?
47. In cybersecurity, what is the primary purpose of a vulnerability assessment?
48. Before deploying a new application, a large e-commerce company aims to identify and fix any code vulnerabilities. Which method should they use?
49. Jenny wants to ensure each asset in her organization has a defined owner. What’s the most effective strategy?
50. Following an audit, a company needs to harden its network switches against unauthorized access. What’s the BEST approach?
51. XenonTech’s security team is tasked with monitoring a new web application for vulnerabilities during runtime. Which technique is most appropriate?
52. XenonTech seeks real-time updates on emerging threats. What’s the BEST source for this information?
53. Prior to finalizing a purchase, a medium-sized enterprise evaluates devices from a cost-effective vendor. What should be their main concern?
54. To understand CyberTech Inc.’s network layout, what activity will enumerate the active devices and their roles?
55. For secure initial configuration of new routers, what step is paramount?
56. What is the primary objective of implementing a Data Loss Prevention (DLP) system in an organization?
57. What is the primary purpose of conducting a risk assessment in an organization’s security program management?
58. What role does a Security Policy play in an organization’s security program?
59. Why is it important for an organization to have a Business Continuity Plan (BCP)?
60. How does implementing an Incident Response Plan (IRP) benefit an organization?
61. What is the significance of Security Awareness Training within an organization?
62. What is the primary goal of a Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM) program?
63. Why is it crucial for an organization to conduct regular security audits?
64. What is the purpose of a Security Operations Center (SOC) in an organization?
65. In security program management, what is the role of a Change Management process?
66. How does a vulnerability management program benefit an organization’s security posture?
67. XenonTech and InfoTechSolutions are formalizing their partnership with a set of terms for future transactions. What type of agreement best suits their need to establish foundational business terms?
68. InfoTechSolutions’s security team is categorizing risks by potential impact levels as part of their new cloud-based project analysis. What type of risk analysis are they conducting?
69. MegaTech Inc. aims to ensure critical applications are restored within 4 hours after any disaster, with a maximum data loss window of 1 hour. Which policy specifically supports this goal?
70. In the aftermath of a DDoS attack, the CISO of an e-commerce company stresses the need for a plan encompassing identification to lessons learned. Which policy outlines these stages for managing security incidents?
Question Solutions with Explanations
01. Correct Answer: (D) Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC)
Explanation: Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) is an access control model that evaluates attributes or characteristics of user, resource, and environment, against policies, to make access decisions. This model provides a high level of flexibility and granularity, making it suitable for complex and dynamic environments.
Explanation: Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) is an access control model that evaluates attributes or characteristics of user, resource, and environment, against policies, to make access decisions. This model provides a high level of flexibility and granularity, making it suitable for complex and dynamic environments.
02. Correct Answer: (C) Separation of Duties
Explanation: Separation of duties is a security principle designed to reduce the risk of fraud and error by dividing critical processes and tasks among multiple individuals. This ensures that no single individual has the authority or ability to complete all components of a critical task on their own, thus preventing misuse of power and enhancing security.
Explanation: Separation of duties is a security principle designed to reduce the risk of fraud and error by dividing critical processes and tasks among multiple individuals. This ensures that no single individual has the authority or ability to complete all components of a critical task on their own, thus preventing misuse of power and enhancing security.
03. Correct Answer: (B) Obfuscation
Explanation: Obfuscation is the practice of making something difficult to understand or interpret, often used in the context of making code or data harder to decipher. This can deter attackers by concealing the actual code or data structure, although it is not a substitute for strong encryption techniques.
Explanation: Obfuscation is the practice of making something difficult to understand or interpret, often used in the context of making code or data harder to decipher. This can deter attackers by concealing the actual code or data structure, although it is not a substitute for strong encryption techniques.
04. Correct Answer: (A) Ensuring timely and reliable access to and use of information
Explanation: Availability, as part of the CIA triad (Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability), focuses on ensuring that authorized users have timely and reliable access to information and computing resources as required for their tasks. This is crucial for maintaining operational effectiveness and preventing disruptions to business processes.
Explanation: Availability, as part of the CIA triad (Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability), focuses on ensuring that authorized users have timely and reliable access to information and computing resources as required for their tasks. This is crucial for maintaining operational effectiveness and preventing disruptions to business processes.
05. Correct Answer: (D) Deterrent
Explanation: Deterrent controls are designed to discourage individuals from violating security policies or procedures by warning of the negative consequences of doing so. These controls serve as a psychological barrier rather than physically preventing or detecting security breaches.
Explanation: Deterrent controls are designed to discourage individuals from violating security policies or procedures by warning of the negative consequences of doing so. These controls serve as a psychological barrier rather than physically preventing or detecting security breaches.
06. Correct Answer: (C) Skimming
Explanation: Skimming refers to the unauthorized capture or tracking of RFID and magnetic stripe data from payment cards, identification cards, and passports. It’s a form of electronic pickpocketing where attackers can steal information without physically touching the card or tag.
Explanation: Skimming refers to the unauthorized capture or tracking of RFID and magnetic stripe data from payment cards, identification cards, and passports. It’s a form of electronic pickpocketing where attackers can steal information without physically touching the card or tag.
07. Correct Answer: (D) Brewer and Nash Model
Explanation: The Brewer and Nash Model, also known as the Chinese Wall Model, is designed to prevent conflicts of interest by restricting users’ access to information based on their prior access to potentially competitive or conflicting data. This model helps maintain data confidentiality in environments where information barriers are necessary.
Explanation: The Brewer and Nash Model, also known as the Chinese Wall Model, is designed to prevent conflicts of interest by restricting users’ access to information based on their prior access to potentially competitive or conflicting data. This model helps maintain data confidentiality in environments where information barriers are necessary.
08. Correct Answer: (A) An attack where the perpetrator secretly relays and possibly alters the communication between two parties who believe they are directly communicating with each other.
Explanation: A man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack involves an attacker inserting themselves into a conversation between two parties, impersonating both to intercept, send, and receive data intended for someone else, without either party knowing that there is an intruder.
Explanation: A man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack involves an attacker inserting themselves into a conversation between two parties, impersonating both to intercept, send, and receive data intended for someone else, without either party knowing that there is an intruder.
09. Correct Answer: (C) Security risks due to lack of oversight and management
Explanation: ‘Shadow IT’ refers to IT devices, software, and services outside the ownership or control of IT departments. The main concern is the security risk it poses, as these can include unsecured applications, devices, and services that have not been vetted by the organization’s security protocols, potentially leading to data breaches.
Explanation: ‘Shadow IT’ refers to IT devices, software, and services outside the ownership or control of IT departments. The main concern is the security risk it poses, as these can include unsecured applications, devices, and services that have not been vetted by the organization’s security protocols, potentially leading to data breaches.
10. Correct Answer: (A) Allowing access to all resources, except those specifically denied.
Explanation: A ‘blacklist’ access control strategy permits everything by default, except for those entities that have been expressly blocked or denied. This approach can be easier to manage in environments where most content or actions are considered safe, but it may not be as secure as a ‘whitelist’ strategy, which denies everything by default and only allows specifically permitted entities.
Explanation: A ‘blacklist’ access control strategy permits everything by default, except for those entities that have been expressly blocked or denied. This approach can be easier to manage in environments where most content or actions are considered safe, but it may not be as secure as a ‘whitelist’ strategy, which denies everything by default and only allows specifically permitted entities.
11. Correct Answer: (C) Implementing a Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)
Explanation: Implementing a CASB allows an organization to monitor and control the use of cloud services, including cloud storage, by providing visibility, compliance, data security, and threat protection. While blocking access, encrypting data, and training employees are useful measures.
Explanation: Implementing a CASB allows an organization to monitor and control the use of cloud services, including cloud storage, by providing visibility, compliance, data security, and threat protection. While blocking access, encrypting data, and training employees are useful measures.
12. Correct Answer: (A) Log files have been wiped
Explanation: Sara’s finding suggests that the audit logs have been intentionally cleared, a common tactic by intruders to cover their tracks after gaining privileged access. This action warrants concern as it implies a deliberate attempt to remove evidence of unauthorized activities. System reboots don’t erase audit.log, and while system errors might cause logging issues, they don’t result in empty logs without a trace. Permission issues could prevent log viewing but wouldn’t explain an empty audit.log, reinforcing the suspicion of a wipe.
Explanation: Sara’s finding suggests that the audit logs have been intentionally cleared, a common tactic by intruders to cover their tracks after gaining privileged access. This action warrants concern as it implies a deliberate attempt to remove evidence of unauthorized activities. System reboots don’t erase audit.log, and while system errors might cause logging issues, they don’t result in empty logs without a trace. Permission issues could prevent log viewing but wouldn’t explain an empty audit.log, reinforcing the suspicion of a wipe.
13. Correct Answer: (C) Unauthorized modifications by third parties
Explanation: While pre-installed malware, firmware tampering, and hardware availability are significant concerns within the hardware supply chain, unauthorized third-party modifications are relatively rare compared to the other listed threats. The main risks usually stem from the initial supply chain stages, including manufacturing and distribution, rather than later third-party alterations.
Explanation: While pre-installed malware, firmware tampering, and hardware availability are significant concerns within the hardware supply chain, unauthorized third-party modifications are relatively rare compared to the other listed threats. The main risks usually stem from the initial supply chain stages, including manufacturing and distribution, rather than later third-party alterations.
14. Correct Answer: (B) Acting out of blackmail
Explanation: Internal threats often arise from motivations like financial gain, revenge, or as a response to blackmail, rather than the more ideologically driven motives of espionage, warfare, or political activism, which are typically associated with external threat actors such as nation-states or hacktivists. Blackmail can coerce employees into acting against their organization, making it a crucial concern for internal security assessments.
Explanation: Internal threats often arise from motivations like financial gain, revenge, or as a response to blackmail, rather than the more ideologically driven motives of espionage, warfare, or political activism, which are typically associated with external threat actors such as nation-states or hacktivists. Blackmail can coerce employees into acting against their organization, making it a crucial concern for internal security assessments.
15. Correct Answer: (C) Impossible travel activity
Explanation: The described scenario is a classic example of “impossible travel,” a security red flag indicating that logins are happening from geographically implausible locations in a short timeframe. This could suggest compromised credentials or other security issues, as physically traveling between such distant locations in the time frame described is not feasible. VPN use might explain such activity, but the lack thereof here hints at a security compromise.
Explanation: The described scenario is a classic example of “impossible travel,” a security red flag indicating that logins are happening from geographically implausible locations in a short timeframe. This could suggest compromised credentials or other security issues, as physically traveling between such distant locations in the time frame described is not feasible. VPN use might explain such activity, but the lack thereof here hints at a security compromise.
16. Correct Answer: (D) Cloning of RFID badges
Explanation: The requirement for a PIN in addition to an RFID badge is a strategy to combat badge cloning, ensuring that physical access control systems aren’t compromised solely through duplicated RFID badges. While tailgating and concurrent access present security challenges, they involve different vulnerabilities and countermeasures. Man-in-the-path (or on-path) attacks relate to data interception, not physical access control, making badge cloning the primary concern addressed by the PIN requirement.
Explanation: The requirement for a PIN in addition to an RFID badge is a strategy to combat badge cloning, ensuring that physical access control systems aren’t compromised solely through duplicated RFID badges. While tailgating and concurrent access present security challenges, they involve different vulnerabilities and countermeasures. Man-in-the-path (or on-path) attacks relate to data interception, not physical access control, making badge cloning the primary concern addressed by the PIN requirement.
17. Correct Answer: (C) Domain hijacking
Explanation: The alteration of domain registration and administrative details without the owner’s consent is indicative of domain hijacking. This act, distinct from DNS hijacking, involves unauthorized changes at the registrar level, allowing attackers to redirect or misuse the domain. While DNS hijacking affects domain name resolution, and on-path attacks intercept or modify data in transit, domain hijacking directly compromises domain ownership. Zero-day attacks refer to previously unknown software vulnerabilities, not directly related to the manipulation of domain registration information.
Explanation: The alteration of domain registration and administrative details without the owner’s consent is indicative of domain hijacking. This act, distinct from DNS hijacking, involves unauthorized changes at the registrar level, allowing attackers to redirect or misuse the domain. While DNS hijacking affects domain name resolution, and on-path attacks intercept or modify data in transit, domain hijacking directly compromises domain ownership. Zero-day attacks refer to previously unknown software vulnerabilities, not directly related to the manipulation of domain registration information.
18. Correct Answer: (A) DNS Spoofing
Explanation: DNS Spoofing, or DNS cache poisoning, involves altering DNS entries to redirect traffic to malicious sites or intercept data. This type of attack manipulates the way domain names are resolved to reroute traffic, unlike service denial attacks that disrupt service availability, insider threats involving malicious actions by organization members, or physical breaches impacting tangible assets.
Explanation: DNS Spoofing, or DNS cache poisoning, involves altering DNS entries to redirect traffic to malicious sites or intercept data. This type of attack manipulates the way domain names are resolved to reroute traffic, unlike service denial attacks that disrupt service availability, insider threats involving malicious actions by organization members, or physical breaches impacting tangible assets.
19. Correct Answer: (A) Principle of Least Privilege
Explanation: The Principle of Least Privilege dictates that users should have only the minimum level of access or permissions necessary to perform their job functions. Excessively high privileges can increase the risk of internal misuse or exploitation by attackers, whereas Segregation of Duties involves dividing tasks to prevent fraud and errors, Need to Know restricts access to information, and Continuous Monitoring relates to ongoing surveillance of system activities.
Explanation: The Principle of Least Privilege dictates that users should have only the minimum level of access or permissions necessary to perform their job functions. Excessively high privileges can increase the risk of internal misuse or exploitation by attackers, whereas Segregation of Duties involves dividing tasks to prevent fraud and errors, Need to Know restricts access to information, and Continuous Monitoring relates to ongoing surveillance of system activities.
20. Correct Answer: (C) Email Server Compromise
Explanation: A surge in outbound SMTP traffic can indicate an email server compromise, where attackers may use the server to distribute spam or malicious emails. Unlike Man-in-the-Middle attacks that intercept communications, DDoS attacks that flood services with excessive requests, or phishing attacks aimed at deceiving recipients, an email server compromise directly affects the ability to control outbound email traffic.
Explanation: A surge in outbound SMTP traffic can indicate an email server compromise, where attackers may use the server to distribute spam or malicious emails. Unlike Man-in-the-Middle attacks that intercept communications, DDoS attacks that flood services with excessive requests, or phishing attacks aimed at deceiving recipients, an email server compromise directly affects the ability to control outbound email traffic.
21. Correct Answer: (D) Rogue VPN Usage
Explanation: The increase in encrypted traffic bypassing security measures like a secure web gateway could indicate rogue VPN usage, where users or attackers are circumventing organizational security policies and controls. SSL Stripping downgrades secure connections, encrypted malware transmission involves malware hidden in encrypted traffic (but wouldn’t necessarily bypass gateways), and Certificate Authority Compromise impacts the integrity of digital certificates, differing from the direct bypassing of security infrastructure indicated by rogue VPN usage.
Explanation: The increase in encrypted traffic bypassing security measures like a secure web gateway could indicate rogue VPN usage, where users or attackers are circumventing organizational security policies and controls. SSL Stripping downgrades secure connections, encrypted malware transmission involves malware hidden in encrypted traffic (but wouldn’t necessarily bypass gateways), and Certificate Authority Compromise impacts the integrity of digital certificates, differing from the direct bypassing of security infrastructure indicated by rogue VPN usage.
22. Correct Answer: (B) File encryption
Explanation: File encryption allows for the protection of individual files both in transit and at rest, offering granular control over who can access specific files, making it the best choice for Evelyn’s requirements.
Explanation: File encryption allows for the protection of individual files both in transit and at rest, offering granular control over who can access specific files, making it the best choice for Evelyn’s requirements.
23. Correct Answer: (D) A wildcard certificate
Explanation: A wildcard certificate is used to secure a base domain and an unlimited number of subdomains, making it suitable for Valerie’s need to cover sales.example.com and support.example.com under one certificate.
Explanation: A wildcard certificate is used to secure a base domain and an unlimited number of subdomains, making it suitable for Valerie’s need to cover sales.example.com and support.example.com under one certificate.
24. Correct Answer: (A) Control objectives and controls intended to meet the objectives
Explanation: A gap analysis involves comparing actual performance with potential or desired performance; in the context of security, this means analyzing the current controls against the control objectives to identify gaps.
Explanation: A gap analysis involves comparing actual performance with potential or desired performance; in the context of security, this means analyzing the current controls against the control objectives to identify gaps.
25. Correct Answer: (D) The downtime during the restart
Explanation: The most common concern with restarting an application, especially a customer-facing one, is the downtime involved, which can impact user access and service availability.
Explanation: The most common concern with restarting an application, especially a customer-facing one, is the downtime involved, which can impact user access and service availability.
26. Correct Answer: (C) Version control
Explanation: Git is a version control system used for tracking changes in source code during software development, making it an essential tool for managing versions of code and documents in a change management process.
Explanation: Git is a version control system used for tracking changes in source code during software development, making it an essential tool for managing versions of code and documents in a change management process.
27. Correct Answer: (B) Key stretching
Explanation: Key stretching is a technique used to make brute-force attacks more difficult by applying an algorithm to a password which makes its hashing process computationally more demanding.
Explanation: Key stretching is a technique used to make brute-force attacks more difficult by applying an algorithm to a password which makes its hashing process computationally more demanding.
28. Correct Answer: (A) Technical
Explanation: Log monitoring is a technical control that involves the use of software tools to automatically monitor and analyze computer logs for security and operational issues.
Explanation: Log monitoring is a technical control that involves the use of software tools to automatically monitor and analyze computer logs for security and operational issues.
29. Correct Answer: (D) Encrypting password plaintext using symmetric encryption
Explanation: Encrypting password plaintext is not a method to make passwords harder to crack in the context of storing password hashes. Salting, peppering, and using secure hashing algorithms are common techniques to secure passwords against offline brute-force attacks.
Explanation: Encrypting password plaintext is not a method to make passwords harder to crack in the context of storing password hashes. Salting, peppering, and using secure hashing algorithms are common techniques to secure passwords against offline brute-force attacks.
30. Correct Answer: (C) Key exchange algorithms
Explanation: Diffie-Hellman and RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman) are both used for secure key exchange over an insecure medium, allowing parties to establish a shared secret key for encryption.
Explanation: Diffie-Hellman and RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman) are both used for secure key exchange over an insecure medium, allowing parties to establish a shared secret key for encryption.
31. Correct Answer: (B) A backout plan
Explanation: A backout plan is a critical component of change management, detailing the steps to revert changes if they result in unexpected issues or failures, ensuring system stability is maintained.
Explanation: A backout plan is a critical component of change management, detailing the steps to revert changes if they result in unexpected issues or failures, ensuring system stability is maintained.
32. Correct Answer: (D) Web Application Firewall (WAF)
Explanation: A Web Application Firewall (WAF) is designed to monitor, filter, and block harmful HTTP traffic to web applications. It provides defense against common web application threats such as XSS and SQL injection attacks by inspecting HTTP requests.
Explanation: A Web Application Firewall (WAF) is designed to monitor, filter, and block harmful HTTP traffic to web applications. It provides defense against common web application threats such as XSS and SQL injection attacks by inspecting HTTP requests.
33. Correct Answer: (B) Between the perimeter firewall and the internal network to monitor filtered traffic
Explanation: Placing the IDS between the perimeter firewall and the internal network allows it to scrutinize traffic that has been filtered by the firewall. This strategic placement helps in identifying potential threats while minimizing false positives from harmless external traffic.
Explanation: Placing the IDS between the perimeter firewall and the internal network allows it to scrutinize traffic that has been filtered by the firewall. This strategic placement helps in identifying potential threats while minimizing false positives from harmless external traffic.
34. Correct Answer: (B) Apply for a patent for the innovative algorithms
Explanation: Securing a patent for the innovative algorithms grants ABC Corp the exclusive rights to their invention, thereby legally protecting it from being copied or used by competitors, aligning with the goal of safeguarding the application’s unique functionalities.
Explanation: Securing a patent for the innovative algorithms grants ABC Corp the exclusive rights to their invention, thereby legally protecting it from being copied or used by competitors, aligning with the goal of safeguarding the application’s unique functionalities.
35. Correct Answer: (B) Single Responsibility Principle
Explanation: The Single Responsibility Principle mandates that a service should have only one responsibility or function. This principle ensures that each service in a microservices architecture is focused on a specific task and interacts with other services through clear and well-defined interfaces.
Explanation: The Single Responsibility Principle mandates that a service should have only one responsibility or function. This principle ensures that each service in a microservices architecture is focused on a specific task and interacts with other services through clear and well-defined interfaces.
36. Correct Answer: (C) SD-WAN
Explanation: Software-defined WAN (SD-WAN) enables the use of multiple transport services, including MPLS, LTE, and broadband, for secure and efficient connectivity. It offers cost savings by utilizing lower-cost internet connections and simplifies WAN management, making it ideal for the organization’s requirements.
Explanation: Software-defined WAN (SD-WAN) enables the use of multiple transport services, including MPLS, LTE, and broadband, for secure and efficient connectivity. It offers cost savings by utilizing lower-cost internet connections and simplifies WAN management, making it ideal for the organization’s requirements.
37. Correct Answer: (C) Proxy server
Explanation: A Proxy server acts as a mediator between users and the internet, intercepting requests to provide functions like content filtering, request caching, and security inspection, thereby enhancing web browsing security by preventing access to harmful sites.
Explanation: A Proxy server acts as a mediator between users and the internet, intercepting requests to provide functions like content filtering, request caching, and security inspection, thereby enhancing web browsing security by preventing access to harmful sites.
38. Correct Answer: (B) To ensure compliance with security policies and regulations
Explanation: Regular security audits are conducted to assess and ensure that the organization’s security measures are in compliance with internal security policies as well as external regulations and standards. This helps identify vulnerabilities, ensures security controls are functioning as intended, and demonstrates due diligence in protecting sensitive information.
Explanation: Regular security audits are conducted to assess and ensure that the organization’s security measures are in compliance with internal security policies as well as external regulations and standards. This helps identify vulnerabilities, ensures security controls are functioning as intended, and demonstrates due diligence in protecting sensitive information.
39. Correct Answer: (B) Containment of the breach
Explanation: The first step in responding to a security breach is to contain it, preventing further spread or damage. Containment strategies may vary depending on the nature of the breach but are critical to limiting the impact on the organization’s operations and data integrity.
Explanation: The first step in responding to a security breach is to contain it, preventing further spread or damage. Containment strategies may vary depending on the nature of the breach but are critical to limiting the impact on the organization’s operations and data integrity.
40. Correct Answer: (C) File Integrity Monitoring (FIM) tools
Explanation: File Integrity Monitoring (FIM) tools are specifically designed to detect changes in files, configurations, and logs, alerting administrators to unauthorized modifications that could indicate a security breach or policy violation. These tools are crucial for maintaining the security and integrity of critical systems.
Explanation: File Integrity Monitoring (FIM) tools are specifically designed to detect changes in files, configurations, and logs, alerting administrators to unauthorized modifications that could indicate a security breach or policy violation. These tools are crucial for maintaining the security and integrity of critical systems.
41. Correct Answer: (C) Monitoring, detecting, analyzing, and responding to cybersecurity incidents
Explanation: A Security Operations Center (SOC) is a centralized unit within an organization that deals with security issues on an organizational and technical level. It is responsible for continuously monitoring and analyzing the organization’s security posture while detecting, analyzing, and responding to cybersecurity incidents.
Explanation: A Security Operations Center (SOC) is a centralized unit within an organization that deals with security issues on an organizational and technical level. It is responsible for continuously monitoring and analyzing the organization’s security posture while detecting, analyzing, and responding to cybersecurity incidents.
42. Correct Answer: (B) To provide real-time analysis of security alerts generated by applications and network hardware
Explanation: A Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system collects and aggregates log data generated across the organization’s technology infrastructure, from network devices to applications, providing real-time analysis of security alerts to identify and respond to threats swiftly.
Explanation: A Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system collects and aggregates log data generated across the organization’s technology infrastructure, from network devices to applications, providing real-time analysis of security alerts to identify and respond to threats swiftly.
43. Correct Answer: (B) To document the evidence’s control, transfer, analysis, and disposition
Explanation: Maintaining a chain of custody for digital evidence is crucial to document every step of how the evidence is collected, stored, analyzed, and preserved. This process ensures the integrity and reliability of the evidence, making it admissible in court.
Explanation: Maintaining a chain of custody for digital evidence is crucial to document every step of how the evidence is collected, stored, analyzed, and preserved. This process ensures the integrity and reliability of the evidence, making it admissible in court.
44. Correct Answer: (C) Offsite backup storage
Explanation: Offsite backup storage is essential for disaster recovery planning, ensuring that copies of critical data are stored in a geographically separate location. This strategy protects against data loss from catastrophic events, such as natural disasters, fires, or major system failures, enabling organizations to restore data and resume operations.
Explanation: Offsite backup storage is essential for disaster recovery planning, ensuring that copies of critical data are stored in a geographically separate location. This strategy protects against data loss from catastrophic events, such as natural disasters, fires, or major system failures, enabling organizations to restore data and resume operations.
45. Correct Answer: (B) To detect and prevent known threats in real time by analyzing traffic flows
Explanation: An intrusion prevention system (IPS) is designed to detect and prevent known threats by analyzing network traffic in real time. It can take immediate action, such as blocking traffic or alerting administrators, to prevent potential security breaches.
Explanation: An intrusion prevention system (IPS) is designed to detect and prevent known threats by analyzing network traffic in real time. It can take immediate action, such as blocking traffic or alerting administrators, to prevent potential security breaches.
46. Correct Answer: (D) Recovery
Explanation: The recovery phase of the incident response process involves actions to repair and restore systems or data that have been compromised or affected by a cybersecurity incident. This phase ensures that services are brought back to operational status and any exploited vulnerabilities are addressed to prevent future incidents.
Explanation: The recovery phase of the incident response process involves actions to repair and restore systems or data that have been compromised or affected by a cybersecurity incident. This phase ensures that services are brought back to operational status and any exploited vulnerabilities are addressed to prevent future incidents.
47. Correct Answer: (B) To identify, quantify, and prioritize vulnerabilities in a system
Explanation: A vulnerability assessment is a process that identifies, quantifies, and prioritizes vulnerabilities in a system. It aims to uncover security flaws and provide the necessary information to mitigate risks before an attacker can exploit the weaknesses, thereby enhancing the organization’s security posture.
Explanation: A vulnerability assessment is a process that identifies, quantifies, and prioritizes vulnerabilities in a system. It aims to uncover security flaws and provide the necessary information to mitigate risks before an attacker can exploit the weaknesses, thereby enhancing the organization’s security posture.
48. Correct Answer: (C) Static code analysis
Explanation: Static code analysis, which examines the application’s source code for vulnerabilities without executing the program, is the most suitable method for identifying potential security issues before deployment. This preemptive approach helps ensure the application is secure by design.
Explanation: Static code analysis, which examines the application’s source code for vulnerabilities without executing the program, is the most suitable method for identifying potential security issues before deployment. This preemptive approach helps ensure the application is secure by design.
49. Correct Answer: (D) Implement an Asset Management System with defined ownership
Explanation: An Asset Management System that logs assets with defined ownership as they’re procured or assigned is the most effective way to ensure clear responsibility for asset security and maintenance. This systematic approach ensures accountability and facilitates asset tracking throughout its lifecycle.
Explanation: An Asset Management System that logs assets with defined ownership as they’re procured or assigned is the most effective way to ensure clear responsibility for asset security and maintenance. This systematic approach ensures accountability and facilitates asset tracking throughout its lifecycle.
50. Correct Answer: (B) Disable unused ports
Explanation: Disabling unused switch ports is a fundamental network hardening technique, effectively reducing the attack surface by limiting unauthorized access points. This proactive measure enhances network security by minimizing potential vulnerabilities.
Explanation: Disabling unused switch ports is a fundamental network hardening technique, effectively reducing the attack surface by limiting unauthorized access points. This proactive measure enhances network security by minimizing potential vulnerabilities.
51. Correct Answer: (D) Dynamic Analysis
Explanation: Dynamic analysis, which involves evaluating the application’s behavior during execution, is ideal for uncovering vulnerabilities that might not be evident in the code itself. This approach allows the team to observe real-time application responses and identify potential security issues.
Explanation: Dynamic analysis, which involves evaluating the application’s behavior during execution, is ideal for uncovering vulnerabilities that might not be evident in the code itself. This approach allows the team to observe real-time application responses and identify potential security issues.
52. Correct Answer: (C) OSINT threat feeds
Explanation: Subscribing to an OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) threat feed is the most effective way to stay informed about real-time, evolving threats and vulnerabilities relevant to their industry, offering continuously updated insights from publicly available sources.
Explanation: Subscribing to an OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) threat feed is the most effective way to stay informed about real-time, evolving threats and vulnerabilities relevant to their industry, offering continuously updated insights from publicly available sources.
53. Correct Answer: (C) Compliance with security standards
Explanation: The primary consideration should be the vendor’s adherence to industry security standards and practices. Ensuring devices meet established security criteria is crucial for maintaining the organization’s security posture and preventing potential vulnerabilities.
Explanation: The primary consideration should be the vendor’s adherence to industry security standards and practices. Ensuring devices meet established security criteria is crucial for maintaining the organization’s security posture and preventing potential vulnerabilities.
54. Correct Answer: (C) Network Enumeration
Explanation: Network enumeration is a process that identifies and categorizes the devices on a network, such as servers, workstations, and network infrastructure devices. It provides a comprehensive view of the network’s structure and active components.
Explanation: Network enumeration is a process that identifies and categorizes the devices on a network, such as servers, workstations, and network infrastructure devices. It provides a comprehensive view of the network’s structure and active components.
55. Correct Answer: (B) Changing default admin credentials
Explanation: Changing the default administrative credentials on new routers is critical for security. Routers often come with well-known default usernames and passwords, making them vulnerable to unauthorized access if these defaults are not updated.
Explanation: Changing the default administrative credentials on new routers is critical for security. Routers often come with well-known default usernames and passwords, making them vulnerable to unauthorized access if these defaults are not updated.
56. Correct Answer: (A) To monitor and protect sensitive data from unauthorized access
Explanation: The primary objective of a Data Loss Prevention (DLP) system is to monitor, detect, and protect sensitive data across an organization’s network and endpoints from unauthorized access or exfiltration, ensuring data privacy and compliance with data protection regulations.
Explanation: The primary objective of a Data Loss Prevention (DLP) system is to monitor, detect, and protect sensitive data across an organization’s network and endpoints from unauthorized access or exfiltration, ensuring data privacy and compliance with data protection regulations.
57. Correct Answer: (B) To identify and quantify risks to the organization’s assets and determine appropriate ways to mitigate them
Explanation: The primary purpose of conducting a risk assessment within an organization’s security program is to systematically identify, quantify, and prioritize the risks to the organization’s information assets. This process involves evaluating the potential impact of various threats and vulnerabilities, with the goal of implementing appropriate measures to mitigate those risks, thereby enhancing the organization’s overall security posture.
Explanation: The primary purpose of conducting a risk assessment within an organization’s security program is to systematically identify, quantify, and prioritize the risks to the organization’s information assets. This process involves evaluating the potential impact of various threats and vulnerabilities, with the goal of implementing appropriate measures to mitigate those risks, thereby enhancing the organization’s overall security posture.
58. Correct Answer: (B) It outlines acceptable use of organization’s resources and expected behaviors from employees
Explanation: A Security Policy is a critical component of an organization’s security program, providing a formal set of rules and guidelines that outline the acceptable use of the organization’s resources and the expected behaviors of its employees and users. It establishes the framework for maintaining a secure environment by defining the scope of security measures, responsibilities, and procedures to protect the organization’s assets.
Explanation: A Security Policy is a critical component of an organization’s security program, providing a formal set of rules and guidelines that outline the acceptable use of the organization’s resources and the expected behaviors of its employees and users. It establishes the framework for maintaining a secure environment by defining the scope of security measures, responsibilities, and procedures to protect the organization’s assets.
59. Correct Answer: (B) To facilitate rapid recovery and continuation of operations after a significant disruption
Explanation: A Business Continuity Plan (BCP) is essential for any organization as it provides a proactive plan for ensuring that critical business functions can continue during and after a significant disruption, such as a natural disaster, cyberattack, or other crises. The BCP outlines procedures and instructions an organization must follow in the face of such disasters, focusing on the rapid recovery and continuation of operations to minimize the impact on business operations.
Explanation: A Business Continuity Plan (BCP) is essential for any organization as it provides a proactive plan for ensuring that critical business functions can continue during and after a significant disruption, such as a natural disaster, cyberattack, or other crises. The BCP outlines procedures and instructions an organization must follow in the face of such disasters, focusing on the rapid recovery and continuation of operations to minimize the impact on business operations.
60. Correct Answer: (C) It provides a predefined set of procedures to follow in the event of a security incident
Explanation: An Incident Response Plan (IRP) benefits an organization by providing a structured approach for responding to and managing the aftermath of security incidents. The IRP contains predefined procedures, roles, and responsibilities, which helps to ensure a coordinated and effective response to incidents, thereby minimizing the impact on the organization’s operations and reputation.
Explanation: An Incident Response Plan (IRP) benefits an organization by providing a structured approach for responding to and managing the aftermath of security incidents. The IRP contains predefined procedures, roles, and responsibilities, which helps to ensure a coordinated and effective response to incidents, thereby minimizing the impact on the organization’s operations and reputation.
61. Correct Answer: (B) It educates employees about the organization’s security policy and their role in maintaining security
Explanation: Security Awareness Training is significant because it educates all employees, not just IT staff, about the organization’s security policies, procedures, and the critical role they play in maintaining security. Regular training helps to ensure that employees are aware of potential security threats, how to avoid them, and what actions to take in the event of a security incident, thereby enhancing the overall security culture of the organization.
Explanation: Security Awareness Training is significant because it educates all employees, not just IT staff, about the organization’s security policies, procedures, and the critical role they play in maintaining security. Regular training helps to ensure that employees are aware of potential security threats, how to avoid them, and what actions to take in the event of a security incident, thereby enhancing the overall security culture of the organization.
62. Correct Answer: (B) To manage risks associated with outsourcing services and products from third-party vendors
Explanation: The primary goal of a Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM) program is to identify, assess, monitor, and control the risks associated with outsourcing services and products to third-party vendors. This involves evaluating the security practices of vendors to ensure they meet the organization’s standards, thereby protecting the organization from potential security breaches or data leaks originating from third-party sources.
Explanation: The primary goal of a Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM) program is to identify, assess, monitor, and control the risks associated with outsourcing services and products to third-party vendors. This involves evaluating the security practices of vendors to ensure they meet the organization’s standards, thereby protecting the organization from potential security breaches or data leaks originating from third-party sources.
63. Correct Answer: (B) To evaluate the organization’s compliance with its security policies and relevant regulations
Explanation: Regular security audits are crucial for evaluating an organization’s adherence to its internal security policies and any applicable legal and regulatory requirements. These audits help identify gaps in the organization’s security posture, assess the effectiveness of implemented security measures, and recommend improvements to ensure the organization maintains a robust defense against cyber threats.
Explanation: Regular security audits are crucial for evaluating an organization’s adherence to its internal security policies and any applicable legal and regulatory requirements. These audits help identify gaps in the organization’s security posture, assess the effectiveness of implemented security measures, and recommend improvements to ensure the organization maintains a robust defense against cyber threats.
64. Correct Answer: (C) To provide continuous monitoring and analysis of security alerts and incidents
Explanation: A Security Operations Center (SOC) is dedicated to providing continuous monitoring and analysis of an organization’s security posture. It is responsible for detecting, analyzing, and responding to cybersecurity incidents using a combination of technology solutions and a strong set of processes. The SOC plays a vital role in the organization’s overall security strategy by ensuring potential security threats are identified and mitigated promptly.
Explanation: A Security Operations Center (SOC) is dedicated to providing continuous monitoring and analysis of an organization’s security posture. It is responsible for detecting, analyzing, and responding to cybersecurity incidents using a combination of technology solutions and a strong set of processes. The SOC plays a vital role in the organization’s overall security strategy by ensuring potential security threats are identified and mitigated promptly.
65. Correct Answer: (B) To ensure that changes to the IT infrastructure are performed in a controlled and secure manner
Explanation: The Change Management process in security program management ensures that all changes to the organization’s IT infrastructure, whether they are hardware, software, network configurations, or system updates, are executed in a controlled, systematic, and secure manner. This process helps to minimize potential disruptions to services and reduces the risk of introducing new vulnerabilities into the system.
Explanation: The Change Management process in security program management ensures that all changes to the organization’s IT infrastructure, whether they are hardware, software, network configurations, or system updates, are executed in a controlled, systematic, and secure manner. This process helps to minimize potential disruptions to services and reduces the risk of introducing new vulnerabilities into the system.
66. Correct Answer: (C) By systematically identifying, assessing, and mitigating vulnerabilities
Explanation: A vulnerability management program plays a critical role in strengthening an organization’s security posture by systematically identifying, assessing, and mitigating vulnerabilities within its systems and networks. This ongoing process involves regular scanning for vulnerabilities, prioritization based on risk, and the implementation of appropriate measures to remediate identified vulnerabilities, thereby reducing the potential attack surface for cyber adversaries.
Explanation: A vulnerability management program plays a critical role in strengthening an organization’s security posture by systematically identifying, assessing, and mitigating vulnerabilities within its systems and networks. This ongoing process involves regular scanning for vulnerabilities, prioritization based on risk, and the implementation of appropriate measures to remediate identified vulnerabilities, thereby reducing the potential attack surface for cyber adversaries.
67. Correct Answer: (D) Master Service Agreement (MSA)
Explanation: A Master Service Agreement (MSA) is most appropriate for XenonTech and InfoTechSolutions as it outlines the broad framework for all future transactions between the two entities. This agreement will cover essential aspects such as payment terms, delivery protocols, and warranties, setting a standardized set of terms that can be referenced in specific contracts moving forward, thereby streamlining the process for future engagements.
Explanation: A Master Service Agreement (MSA) is most appropriate for XenonTech and InfoTechSolutions as it outlines the broad framework for all future transactions between the two entities. This agreement will cover essential aspects such as payment terms, delivery protocols, and warranties, setting a standardized set of terms that can be referenced in specific contracts moving forward, thereby streamlining the process for future engagements.
68. Correct Answer: (C) Qualitative
Explanation: InfoTechSolutions’s security team is employing a Qualitative risk analysis approach, which assesses and categorizes risks based on non-numeric, descriptive criteria such as Low, Medium, High, and Critical impact levels. This method allows for a subjective but structured evaluation of the potential impacts of identified risks, making it suitable for scenarios where specific numerical data may be unavailable or unnecessary for decision-making.
Explanation: InfoTechSolutions’s security team is employing a Qualitative risk analysis approach, which assesses and categorizes risks based on non-numeric, descriptive criteria such as Low, Medium, High, and Critical impact levels. This method allows for a subjective but structured evaluation of the potential impacts of identified risks, making it suitable for scenarios where specific numerical data may be unavailable or unnecessary for decision-making.
69. Correct Answer: (C) Disaster Recovery Policy
Explanation: The Disaster Recovery Policy is specifically designed to address the recovery of IT systems, applications, and data after a catastrophic event. It includes setting Recovery Time Objectives (RTO) for system restoration and Recovery Point Objectives (RPO) for data loss, which are crucial for planning and ensuring business continuity and resilience.
Explanation: The Disaster Recovery Policy is specifically designed to address the recovery of IT systems, applications, and data after a catastrophic event. It includes setting Recovery Time Objectives (RTO) for system restoration and Recovery Point Objectives (RPO) for data loss, which are crucial for planning and ensuring business continuity and resilience.
70. Correct Answer: (B) Incident Response Policy
Explanation: The Incident Response Policy is crucial for defining the procedures and protocols for dealing with security incidents. It typically includes stages such as identification, containment, eradication, recovery, and lessons learned, offering a comprehensive guide to managing and mitigating the impacts of security threats systematically.
Explanation: The Incident Response Policy is crucial for defining the procedures and protocols for dealing with security incidents. It typically includes stages such as identification, containment, eradication, recovery, and lessons learned, offering a comprehensive guide to managing and mitigating the impacts of security threats systematically.
