Sy0 701

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Comptia
(SY0-701)
CompTIA Security+ 2023
Total: 318 Questions

Link: https://certyiq.com/papers/comptia/sy0-701
Question: 1 CertyIQ
Which of the following threat actors is the most likely to be hired by a foreign government to attack critical
systems located in other countries?
A.Hacktivist
B.Whistleblower
C.Organized crime
D.Unskilled attacker
Answer: C
Explanation:
C. Organized crimeOrganized crime groups often have the resources, expertise, and networks to carry out
sophisticated cyber attacks on behalf of governments or other entities for financial gain or political motives.
Question: 2 CertyIQ
Which of the following is used to add extra complexity before using a one-way data transformation algorithm?
A.Key stretching
B.Data masking
C.Steganography
D.Salting
Answer: D
Explanation:
D. SaltingSalting is used to add extra complexity before using a one-way data transformation algorithm, such
as a hash function. Salting involves adding a unique, random value to the input data before it is processed by
the hash function, making it more resistant to certain types of attacks like rainbow table attacks.
Question: 3 CertyIQ
An employee clicked a link in an email from a payment website that asked the employee to update contact
information. The employee entered the log-in information but received a “page not found” error message. Which of
the following types of social engineering attacks occurred?
A.Brand impersonation
B.Pretexting
C.Typosquatting
D.Phishing
Answer: D
Explanation:
Phishing is the fraudulent practice of sending emails, or other messages to cause an individual to reveal
personal information.This question does not specify if this email was pretexting to butter up the employee, or
make email more convincing (pretexting), nor does it specify this email being a trusted brand, or waiting on
employee to type incorrectly to steal information.
Question: 4 CertyIQ
An enterprise is trying to limit outbound DNS traffic originating from its internal network. Outbound DNS requests
will only be allowed from one device with the IP address 10.50.10.25. Which of the following firewall ACLs will
accomplish this goal?
A.Access list outbound permit 0.0.0.0/0 0.0.0.0/0 port 53

Access list outbound deny 10.50.10.25/32 0.0.0.0/0 port 53
B.Access list outbound permit 0.0.0.0/0 10.50.10.25/32 port 53
C.Access list outbound permit 0.0.0.0/0 0.0.0.0/0 port 53
D.Access list outbound permit 10.50.10.25/32 0.0.0.0/0 port 53
Answer: D
Explanation:
D. Access list outbound permit 10.50.10.25/32 0.0.0.0/0 port 53Access list outbound deny 0.0.0.0/0 0.0.0.0/0
port 53Here’s the reasoning:•The first line Access list outbound permit 10.50.10.25/32 0.0.0.0/0 port 53 allows
DNS traffic (port 53) from the specific IP address 10.50.10.25 to any destination.•The second line Access list
outbound deny 0.0.0.0/0 0.0.0.0/0 port 53 denies DNS traffic (port 53) from any source to any destination,
effectively blocking all other outbound DNS traffic.
Question: 5 CertyIQ
A data administrator is configuring authentication for a SaaS application and would like to reduce the number of
credentials employees need to maintain. The company prefers to use domain credentials to access new SaaS
applications. Which of the following methods would allow this functionality?
A.SSO
B.LEAP
C.MFA
D.PEAP
Answer: A
Explanation:
A. SSO (Single Sign-On)Single Sign-On (SSO) enables users to authenticate once with their domain
credentials and then access multiple applications without needing to re-enter their credentials each time. This
aligns with the company's preference to use domain credentials and reduces the burden of managing multiple
sets of credentials for different applications.
Question: 6 CertyIQ
Which of the following scenarios describes a possible business email compromise attack?
A.An employee receives a gift card request in an email that has an executive’s name in the display field of the
email.
B.Employees who open an email attachment receive messages demanding payment in order to access files.
C.A service desk employee receives an email from the HR director asking for log-in credentials to a cloud
administrator account.
D.An employee receives an email with a link to a phishing site that is designed to look like the company’s email
portal.
Answer: C
Explanation:
C. A service desk employee receives an email from the HR director asking for log-in credentials to a cloud
administrator account •Business Email Compromise (BEC) attacks typically involve a cybercriminal
impersonating a trusted person, such as an executive or a manager, to trick employees into divulging sensitive
information, making unauthorized wire transfers, or performing actions that compromise the security of the
organization.•Scenario C fits this description because it involves an attacker impersonating the HR director to
trick a service desk employee into providing sensitive log-in credentials. This is a common tactic in BEC
attacks.
Question: 7 CertyIQ
A company prevented direct access from the database administrators’ workstations to the network segment that
contains database servers. Which of the following should a database administrator use to access the database
servers?
A.Jump server
B.RADIUS
C.HSM
D.Load balancer
Answer: A
Explanation:
A jump server is a secure node that sits between the untrusted network and the secure zone (where the
Database servers.
Question: 8 CertyIQ
An organization’s internet-facing website was compromised when an attacker exploited a buffer overflow. Which
of the following should the organization deploy to best protect against similar attacks in the future?
A.NGFW
B.WAF
C.TLS
D.SD-WAN
Answer: B
Explanation:
A Web Application Firewall (WAF) is for ensuring the security of an HTTP application like WordPress, or
Magneto against threats like SQL injection, or XSS.
Question: 9 CertyIQ
An administrator notices that several users are logging in from suspicious IP addresses. After speaking with the
users, the administrator determines that the employees were not logging in from those IP addresses and resets
the affected users’ passwords. Which of the following should the administrator implement to prevent this type of
attack from succeeding in the future?
A.Multifactor authentication
B.Permissions assignment
C.Access management
D.Password complexity
Answer: A
Explanation:
To prevent unauthorized logins from suspicious IP addresses and enhance the security of user accounts, the
administrator should implement:A. Multifactor authenticationMultifactor authentication (MFA) requires users
to provide two or more verification factors to gain access to a resource such as an application, online account,
or VPN. This security measure significantly reduces the likelihood of unauthorized access because even if an
attacker has the password, they would still need the additional verification factor(s), such as a code from a
mobile device, a fingerprint, or a hardware token.
Question: 10 CertyIQ
An employee receives a text message that appears to have been sent by the payroll department and is asking for
credential verification. Which of the following social engineering techniques are being attempted? (Choose two.)
A.Typosquatting
B.Phishing
C.Impersonation
D.Vishing
E.Smishing
F.Misinformation
Answer: CE
Explanation:
In this scenario, where an employee receives a text message appearing to be from the payroll department
asking for credential verification, the following social engineering techniques are being attempted:C.
Impersonation- The attacker is pretending to be a trusted entity (the payroll department) to gain the
employee's trust and obtain their credentials.E. Smishing- Smishing (SMS phishing) involves sending
fraudulent text messages to trick individuals into revealing personal information, such as credentials, by
clicking on a link or responding to the message.
Several employees received a fraudulent text message from someone claiming to be the Chief Executive Officer
(CEO). The message stated:
“I’m in an airport right now with no access to email. I need you to buy gift cards for employee recognition awards.
Please send the gift cards to following email address.”
Which of the following are the best responses to this situation? (Choose two).
A.Cancel current employee recognition gift cards.

B.Add a smishing exercise to the annual company training.
C.Issue a general email warning to the company.
D.Have the CEO change phone numbers.
E.Conduct a forensic investigation on the CEO’s phone.
F.Implement mobile device management.
Answer: BC
Explanation:
B.Add a smishing exercise to the annual company training.
C.Issue a general email warning to the company.
A company is required to use certified hardware when building networks. Which of the following best addresses
the risks associated with procuring counterfeit hardware?
A.A thorough analysis of the supply chain

B.A legally enforceable corporate acquisition policy
C.A right to audit clause in vendor contracts and SOWs
D.An in-depth penetration test of all suppliers and vendors
Answer: A
Explanation:
A penetration test would be checking the security practices of your supply chain to ensure they are not easily
tampered with, but does not address the lack of reliability, & authenticity that would protect a company from
the possible procurement of faulty supplies/hardware like an analysis would.An enforced acquisition policy
would be a bad practice especially if the parts were faulty.A right to audit clause, & Statement of Work (SOW)
is the first step to allowing an analysis, or penetration test of vendor services, & goods.
Which of the following provides the details about the terms of a test with a third-party penetration tester?
A.Rules of engagement
B.Supply chain analysis
C.Right to audit clause
D.Due diligence
Answer: A
Explanation:
A. Rules of engagementRules of engagement (ROE) outline the terms, conditions, and constraints of a
penetration testing engagement between an organization and a third-party penetration tester. They specify
what actions the tester is authorized to take, the scope of the testing, the systems and networks that can be
assessed, the timing of the testing, and any legal or compliance considerations.
A penetration tester begins an engagement by performing port and service scans against the client environment
according to the rules of engagement. Which of the following reconnaissance types is the tester performing?
A.Active
B.Passive
C.Defensive
D.Offensive
Answer: A
Explanation:
A. ActiveActive reconnaissance involves actively probing and scanning the target environment to gather
information. This typically includes activities such as port and service scans, vulnerability scans, and other
direct interactions with the target systems to identify potential weaknesses or entry points.Passive
reconnaissance, on the other hand, involves gathering information without directly interacting with the target
systems, such as monitoring network traffic or analyzing publicly available information.Options C and D,
defensive and offensive reconnaissance, respectively, are not standard reconnaissance types typically used in
the context of penetration testing.
Which of the following is required for an organization to properly manage its restore process in the event of
system failure?
A.IRP
B.DRP
C.RPO
D.SDLC
Answer: B
Explanation:
B. DRP (Disaster Recovery Plan) A Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP) is essential for managing the restore process
in the event of system failure. It provides a detailed strategy for recovering data, systems, and applications,
ensuring that business operations can resume as quickly as possible after a disaster. While an IRP handles
immediate incident response, and RPO and SDLC are related to specific aspects of data recovery and system
development, the DRP is specifically focused on comprehensive recovery and continuity planning.
Which of the following vulnerabilities is associated with installing software outside of a manufacturer’s approved
software repository?
A.Jailbreaking
B.Memory injection
C.Resource reuse
D.Side loading
Answer: D
Explanation:
Side loading is the process of installing applications or files onto a device, such as a smartphone, tablet, or
computer, without using the device's official app store or authorized distribution channels. This method allows
users to bypass the standard app store or marketplace and install software directly, often from an external
source like a third-party website or local storage.
A security analyst is reviewing the following logs:
Which of the following attacks is most likely occurring?
A.Password spraying
B.Account forgery
C.Pass-the-hash
D.Brute-force
Answer: A
Explanation:
Password spraying is a type of brute-force attack used to gain unauthorized access to user accounts by
systematically attempting a small number of commonly used passwords against many user accounts. Unlike
traditional brute-force attacks, which attempt many different passwords against a single user account,
password spraying involves trying a few commonly used passwords against a large number of accounts.
An analyst is evaluating the implementation of Zero Trust principles within the data plane. Which of the following
would be most relevant for the analyst to evaluate?
A.Secured zones
B.Subject role
C.Adaptive identity
D.Threat scope reduction
Answer: A
Explanation:
A. Secured Zones :In the context of implementing Zero Trust principles within the data plane, secured zones
are most relevant. Zero Trust principles emphasize the need to eliminate implicit trust and enforce strict
access controls. By evaluating and implementing secured zones, an organization can ensure that data is
compartmentalized and that access is tightly controlled, aligning with the core tenets of Zero Trust. This
approach helps to contain threats and limit lateral movement within the network, providing a strong
foundation for a Zero Trust architecture.
An engineer needs to find a solution that creates an added layer of security by preventing unauthorized access to
internal company resources. Which of the following would be the best solution?
A.RDP server
B.Jump server
C.Proxy server
D.Hypervisor
Answer: B
Explanation:
Jump Server is specifically designed to add an extra layer of security by serving as a controlled access point.
It ensures that all access to internal resources must pass through this secure intermediary, allowing for
enhanced monitoring, logging, and restriction of unauthorized access.
A company’s web filter is configured to scan the URL for strings and deny access when matches are found. Which
of the following search strings should an analyst employ to prohibit access to non-encrypted websites?
A.encryption=off
B.http://
C.www.*.com
D.:443
Answer: B
Explanation:
http:// is an insecure protocol running on port 80 that uses unencrypted traceable data for communication on
uncertified, & unprotected websites. It is indicated that you are on one of these insecure websites by a
warning, or lack of padlock in your web search URL.
During a security incident, the security operations team identified sustained network traffic from a malicious IP
address: 10.1.4.9. A security analyst is creating an inbound firewall rule to block the IP address from accessing the
organization’s network. Which of the following fulfills this request?
A.access-list inbound deny ip source 0.0.0.0/0 destination 10.1.4.9/32

B.access-list inbound deny ip source 10.1.4.9/32 destination 0.0.0.0/0
C.access-list inbound permit ip source 10.1.4.9/32 destination 0.0.0.0/0
D.access-list inbound permit ip source 0.0.0.0/0 destination 10.1.4.9/32
Answer: B
Explanation:
B. access-list inbound deny ip source 10.1.4.9/32 destination 0.0.0.0/0 This rule specifically denies all inbound
traffic from the malicious IP address 10.1.4.9 to any destination within the network. This is the correct way to
block the malicious IP address.
A company needs to provide administrative access to internal resources while minimizing the traffic allowed
through the security boundary. Which of the following methods is most secure?
A.Implementing a bastion host

B.Deploying a perimeter network
C.Installing a WAF
D.Utilizing single sign-on
Answer: A
Explanation:
Implementing a bastion host provides a highly secure method for administrative access to internal resources
while minimizing traffic through the security boundary. It serves as a single entry point for remote
administrative access, enforcing strong authentication and access controls before allowing access to internal
systems.
A security analyst is reviewing alerts in the SIEM related to potential malicious network traffic coming from an
employee’s corporate laptop. The security analyst has determined that additional data about the executable
running on the machine is necessary to continue the investigation. Which of the following logs should the analyst
use as a data source?
A.Application
B.IPS/IDS
C.Network
D.Endpoint
Answer: D
Explanation:
Endpoint logs are the most suitable data source for gathering additional information about the executable
running on the employee's corporate laptop. These logs contain detailed information about processes,
executables, and activities occurring on the endpoint, enabling the security analyst to understand the
behavior of the executable and its potential impact on the system and network.
A cyber operations team informs a security analyst about a new tactic malicious actors are using to compromise
networks.
SIEM alerts have not yet been configured. Which of the following best describes what the security analyst should
do to identify this behavior?
A.Digital forensics
B.E-discovery
C.Incident response
D.Threat hunting
Answer: D
Explanation:
Threat hunting involves proactive searching for signs of compromise or suspicious activities within the
network. Since SIEM alerts have not been configured to detect the new tactic, engaging in threat hunting
allows the security analyst to actively search for indicators of compromise and emerging threats before they
escalate into security incidents.
A company purchased cyber insurance to address items listed on the risk register. Which of the following
strategies does this represent?
A.Accept
B.Transfer
C.Mitigate
D.Avoid
Answer: B
Explanation:
Transfer: Transferring a risk involves shifting some or all of the risk to another party, such as an insurance
provider, through contractual agreements or financial arrangements. If the company purchases cyber
insurance to address items listed on the risk register, it represents a risk transfer strategy. The company is
transferring the financial burden of potential cyber incidents to the insurance provider, who will compensate
the company for covered losses.Given the scenario described, the strategy represented by the company's
purchase of cyber insurance to address items listed on the risk register is Transfer. The company is
transferring some of the financial consequences of potential cyber incidents to the insurance provider
through the purchase of insurance coverage.
A security administrator would like to protect data on employees’ laptops. Which of the following encryption
techniques should the security administrator use?
A.Partition
B.Asymmetric
C.Full disk
D.Database
Answer: C
Explanation:
The answer is C - Fulldisk encryption, this encrypts the whole storage drive of the device, including OS, files,
app data, etc.the reason its not the other options partition encryption - only encrypts the partition, meaning if
there are multiple partitions then some of them could be left unencrypted and a threat actor could steal data
in them.Asymmetric encryption - is an encryption technique using Public Key, private key
methodology.Database encryption - is used to encrypt databases (schema) or data within the databases.
Which of the following security control types does an acceptable use policy best represent?
A.Detective
B.Compensating
C.Corrective
D.Preventive
Answer: D
Explanation:
D. PreventiveAn acceptable use policy is designed to prevent security incidents by defining the acceptable
and unacceptable behaviors and actions for users within an organization. By setting clear guidelines and
expectations, it aims to prevent misuse and ensure that users adhere to security protocols, thereby reducing
the risk of security breaches.
An IT manager informs the entire help desk staff that only the IT manager and the help desk lead will have access
to the administrator console of the help desk software. Which of the following security techniques is the IT
manager setting up?
A.Hardening
B.Employee monitoring
C.Configuration enforcement
D.Least privilege
Answer: D
Explanation:
Least privilege: Least privilege is a security principle that states that users should only be granted the
minimum level of access or permissions necessary to perform their job functions. By restricting access to the
administrator console of the help desk software to only the IT manager and the help desk lead, the IT
manager is adhering to the principle of least privilege, ensuring that only those individuals who require
administrative access have it, thereby reducing the risk of unauthorized access and potential misuse.Given the
scenario described, the security technique that the IT manager is setting up by restricting access to the
administrator console of the help desk software is Least privilege. This approach aligns with the principle of
least privilege by granting administrative access only to individuals who need it to perform their job
responsibilities.
Which of the following is the most likely to be used to document risks, responsible parties, and thresholds?
A.Risk tolerance
B.Risk transfer
C.Risk register
D.Risk analysis
Answer: C
Explanation:
C. Risk registerA risk register is a tool commonly used in risk management that records details of all identified
risks, including descriptions, responsible parties, risk categories, likelihood and impact, mitigation measures,
and thresholds for action. It serves as a central repository for all information about risks, making it easier to
manage and track them.
Which of the following should a security administrator adhere to when setting up a new set of firewall rules?
A.Disaster recovery plan

B.Incident response procedure
C.Business continuity plan
D.Change management procedure
Answer: D
Explanation:
The keyword is "new" firewall rules. Any change must be adhered to change management procedures.
A company is expanding its threat surface program and allowing individuals to security test the company’s
internet-facing application. The company will compensate researchers based on the vulnerabilities discovered.
Which of the following best describes the program the company is setting up?
A.Open-source intelligence
B.Bug bounty
C.Red team
D.Penetration testing
Answer: B
Explanation:
B. Bug bountyA bug bounty program incentivizes external security researchers to find and report
vulnerabilities in a company's applications or systems. Researchers are compensated based on the severity
and impact of the vulnerabilities they uncover, helping the company to improve its security posture by
leveraging a wide range of expertise.
Which of the following threat actors is the most likely to use large financial resources to attack critical systems
located in other countries?
A.Insider
B.Unskilled attacker
C.Nation-state
D.Hacktivist
Answer: C
Explanation:
Nation-state Actor Groups or individuals that are sponsored by a government to conduct cyberoperations
against other nations, organizations, or individuals.
Which of the following enables the use of an input field to run commands that can view or manipulate data?
A.Cross-site scripting
B.Side loading
C.Buffer overflow
D.SQL injection
Answer: D
Explanation:
The correct answer is:D. SQL injectionSQL injection is a type of attack that involves inserting malicious SQL
statements into an input field. These statements can then be executed by the database, allowing the attacker
to view or manipulate the data. This can lead to unauthorized access to the database, data leakage, or even
the modification and deletion of data.Here’s why the other options are not correct in this context:- A. This
involves injecting malicious scripts into webpages viewed by other users, but it does not specifically involve
running commands that directly view or manipulate data in a database. - BThis typically refers to installing
applications from unofficial sources, not related to input fields and running commands. -C. This involves
exploiting a program by writing more data to a buffer than it can hold, potentially allowing the execution of
arbitrary code, but it does not specifically use input fields to run commands on data.
Employees in the research and development business unit receive extensive training to ensure they understand
how to best protect company data. Which of the following is the type of data these employees are most likely to
use in day-to-day work activities?
A.Encrypted
B.Intellectual property
C.Critical
D.Data in transit
Answer: B
Explanation:
B. Intellectual propertyResearch and development teams typically handle sensitive information related to new
inventions, designs, processes, and technologies. This type of data is considered intellectual property (IP) and
is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge in the market. Protecting this data from unauthorized access,
theft, or misuse is a primary concern, hence the extensive training provided to these employees.
A company has begun labeling all laptops with asset inventory stickers and associating them with employee IDs.
Which of the following security benefits do these actions provide? (Choose two.)
A.If a security incident occurs on the device, the correct employee can be notified.
B.The security team will be able to send user awareness training to the appropriate device.
C.Users can be mapped to their devices when configuring software MFA tokens.
D.User-based firewall policies can be correctly targeted to the appropriate laptops.
E.When conducting penetration testing, the security team will be able to target the desired laptops.
F.Company data can be accounted for when the employee leaves the organization.
Answer: AF
Explanation:
A.If a security incident occurs on the device, the correct employee can be notified.
F.Company data can be accounted for when the employee leaves the organization.
A technician wants to improve the situational and environmental awareness of existing users as they transition
from remote to in-office work. Which of the following is the best option?
A.Send out periodic security reminders.

B.Update the content of new hire documentation.
C.Modify the content of recurring training.
D.Implement a phishing campaign.
Answer: C
Explanation:
C. Modify the content of recurring training.Modifying the content of recurring training to include specific
topics relevant to the transition from remote to in-office work will ensure that users are aware of the new
security protocols and potential threats they might face in the office environment. This approach provides a
structured and comprehensive way to address the unique aspects of both environments and helps reinforce
best practices.
A newly appointed board member with cybersecurity knowledge wants the board of directors to receive a
quarterly report detailing the number of incidents that impacted the organization. The systems administrator is
creating a way to present the data to the board of directors. Which of the following should the systems
administrator use?
A.Packet captures
B.Vulnerability scans
C.Metadata
D.Dashboard
Answer: D
Explanation:
Dashboard: A dashboard is a graphical user interface that provides at-a-glance views of key performance
indicators (KPIs) and other important metrics. In the context of cybersecurity, a dashboard can be used to
present summarized information about security incidents, including the number of incidents, their severity,
affected systems, and trends over time. Dashboards can provide a visually appealing and easy-to-understand
way to present quarterly incident reports to the board of directors, making them the most suitable option
among the choices provided.Therefore, the systems administrator should use Dashboard to present the
quarterly incident reports to the board of directors. A dashboard can effectively summarize incident data and
provide a visually appealing presentation format for the board's review.
A systems administrator receives the following alert from a file integrity monitoring tool:
The hash of the cmd.exe file has changed.
The systems administrator checks the OS logs and notices that no patches were applied in the last two months.
Which of the following most likely occurred?
A.The end user changed the file permissions.

B.A cryptographic collision was detected.
C.A snapshot of the file system was taken.
D.A rootkit was deployed.
Answer: D
Explanation:
D. A rootkit was deployed.A change in the hash of a critical system file like cmd.exe, without any
corresponding patches or updates being applied, is a strong indicator of potential malicious activity. A rootkit
is a type of malware that can modify system files and hide its presence to maintain persistent and privileged
access to a system. If a rootkit has altered cmd.exe, it could be an attempt to replace the legitimate command
prompt with a malicious version, or to modify its behavior for nefarious purposes. This is a serious security
concern and should be investigated immediately.
Which of the following roles, according to the shared responsibility model, is responsible for securing the
company’s database in an IaaS model for a cloud environment?
A.Client
B.Third-party vendor
C.Cloud provider
D.DBA
Answer: A
Explanation:
Client: In the shared responsibility model, the client, or cloud customer, is responsible for securing their data
and applications running on the cloud infrastructure. This includes configuring security settings,
implementing access controls, and managing user permissions for their resources. However, the specific
responsibility for securing the company's database in an Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) model depends on
the division of responsibilities outlined in the model.Given the options provided and the context of the shared
responsibility model for a cloud environment, the most appropriate role responsible for securing the
company's database in an IaaS model would be Client. The client is typically responsible for securing their
data and applications, including databases, within the cloud infrastructure. However, the DBA would also play
a significant role in implementing database security measures within the IaaS environment, working in
collaboration with the client's security team.
A client asked a security company to provide a document outlining the project, the cost, and the completion time
frame. Which of the following documents should the company provide to the client?
A.MSA
B.SLA
C.BPA
D.SOW
Answer: D
Explanation:
The company should provide the client with a Statement of Work (SOW). A Statement of Work is a document
that outlines the details of a project, including the scope, deliverables, timeline, and cost. It is used to ensure
that both the client and the service provider have a clear understanding of the project's requirements and
expectations.- MSA (Master Service Agreement) An overarching contract that defines the terms and
conditions under which services will be provided.- SLA (Service Level Agreement) A contract that defines the
level of service expected from the service provider.- BPA (Business Partnership Agreement) An agreement
that defines the relationship and responsibilities between business partners.Therefore, the correct answer
is:D. SOW.
A security team is reviewing the findings in a report that was delivered after a third party performed a penetration
test. One of the findings indicated that a web application form field is vulnerable to cross-site scripting. Which of
the following application security techniques should the security analyst recommend the developer implement to
prevent this vulnerability?
A.Secure cookies
B.Version control
C.Input validation
D.Code signing
Answer: C
Explanation:
Correct answer is C:Input validation.
Which of the following must be considered when designing a high-availability network? (Choose two).
A.Ease of recovery
B.Ability to patch
C.Physical isolation
D.Responsiveness
E.Attack surface
F.Extensible authentication
Answer: AD
Explanation:
When designing a high-availability network, two key considerations are:A. Ease of recovery D. Responsiveness
- Ease of recovery. This is essential for high availability because the network must be able to recover quickly
from failures to minimize downtime.- Responsiveness. Ensuring that the network can handle high traffic loads
and respond quickly to user requests is crucial for maintaining high availability.Other factors like physical
isolation, ability to patch, attack surface, and extensible authentication are important for security and
maintenance but are not primary considerations for high availability.Therefore, the correct answers are:A.
Ease of recovery D. Responsiveness.
A technician needs to apply a high-priority patch to a production system. Which of the following steps should be
taken first?
A.Air gap the system.

B.Move the system to a different network segment.
C.Create a change control request.
D.Apply the patch to the system.
Answer: C
Explanation:
Change Control is the process that management uses to identify, document and authorize changes to an IT
environment. It minimizes the likelihood of disruptions, unauthorized alterations and errors. The change
control procedures should be designed with the size and complexity of the environment in mind.
Which of the following describes the reason root cause analysis should be conducted as part of incident response?
A.To gather IoCs for the investigation

B.To discover which systems have been affected
C.To eradicate any trace of malware on the network
D.To prevent future incidents of the same nature
Answer: D
Explanation:
To prevent future incidents of the same nature.
Which of the following is the most likely outcome if a large bank fails an internal PCI DSS compliance assessment?
A.Fines
B.Audit findings
C.Sanctions
D.Reputation damage
Answer: B
Explanation:
B. Audit findingsWhile fines, sanctions, and reputation damage can be potential consequences of failing to
meet PCI DSS compliance, the most immediate and likely outcome of failing an internal PCI DSS compliance
assessment is the generation of audit findings. These findings will detail the areas of non-compliance and
typically result in the organization needing to take corrective actions to address the identified issues. If the
findings are not addressed, this could lead to further consequences such as fines, sanctions, or reputation
damage. Therefore, the correct answer is:B. Audit findings.
A company is developing a business continuity strategy and needs to determine how many staff members would
be required to sustain the business in the case of a disruption. Which of the following best describes this step?
A.Capacity planning
B.Redundancy
C.Geographic dispersion
D.Tabletop exercise
Answer: A
Explanation:
A. Capacity planning . Capacity planning involves determining the staffing levels needed to sustain business
operations during a disruption. This ensures that the organization has sufficient human resources to maintain
essential functions and minimize downtime.
A company’s legal department drafted sensitive documents in a SaaS application and wants to ensure the
documents cannot be accessed by individuals in high-risk countries. Which of the following is the most effective
way to limit this access?
A.Data masking
B.Encryption
C.Geolocation policy
D.Data sovereignty regulation
Answer: C
Explanation:
Correct answer is C:Geolocation policy.
Which of the following is a hardware-specific vulnerability?
A.Firmware version
B.Buffer overflow
C.SQL injection
D.Cross-site scripting
Answer: A
Explanation:
firmware version (option A) is directly related to the hardware and represents a potential point of vulnerability
that attackers could exploit. Firmware is the software that controls the basic functionality of hardware
devices, and vulnerabilities in firmware can lead to security breaches. Options B, C, and D (buffer overflow,
SQL injection, and cross-site scripting) are software vulnerabilities and are not inherently tied to hardware
components.
While troubleshooting a firewall configuration, a technician determines that a “deny any” policy should be added to
the bottom of the ACL. The technician updates the policy, but the new policy causes several company servers to
become unreachable.
Which of the following actions would prevent this issue?
A.Documenting the new policy in a change request and submitting the request to change management
B.Testing the policy in a non-production environment before enabling the policy in the production network
C.Disabling any intrusion prevention signatures on the “deny any” policy prior to enabling the new policy
D.Including an “allow any” policy above the “deny any” policy
Answer: B
Explanation:
Testing the policy in a non-production environment before enabling the policy in the production network.
An organization is building a new backup data center with cost-benefit as the primary requirement and RTO and
RPO values around two days. Which of the following types of sites is the best for this scenario?
A.Real-time recovery
B.Hot
C.Cold
D.Warm
Answer: D
Explanation:
D. WarmA warm site is a middle ground between hot and cold sites. It typically contains some of the
necessary infrastructure and data replication capabilities, but it's not as fully operational or costly as a hot
site. In a warm site, some essential systems are ready to be activated quickly in the event of a disaster or
disruption. This makes it suitable for scenarios where the RTO and RPO values are not immediate, such as in
this case where they are around two days, while still being more cost-effective compared to a hot site.
A company requires hard drives to be securely wiped before sending decommissioned systems to recycling. Which
of the following best describes this policy?
A.Enumeration
B.Sanitization
C.Destruction
D.Inventory
Answer: B
Explanation:
B. Sanitization Sanitization involves securely erasing data from hard drives to ensure that it cannot be
recovered or accessed by unauthorized individuals. This process is essential before decommissioned systems
are sent to recycling to protect sensitive information. Enumeration, destruction, and inventory do not
specifically refer to the secure erasure of data from hard drives.
A systems administrator works for a local hospital and needs to ensure patient data is protected and secure. Which
of the following data classifications should be used to secure patient data?
A.Private
B.Critical
C.Sensitive
D.Public
Answer: C
Explanation:
C. Sensitive Sensitive - Intellectual property, PII, PHI• Confidential - Very sensitive, must be approved to view•
Public / Unclassified - No restrictions on viewing the data• Private / Classified / Restricted– Restricted access,
may require an NDA• Critical - Data should always be available.
A U.S.-based cloud-hosting provider wants to expand its data centers to new international locations. Which of the
following should the hosting provider consider first?
A.Local data protection regulations

B.Risks from hackers residing in other countries
C.Impacts to existing contractual obligations
D.Time zone differences in log correlation
Answer: A
Explanation:
A. Local data protection regulationsLaws may prohibit where data is stored– GDPR (General Data Protection
Regulation)– Data collected on EU citizens must be stored in the EU.
Which of the following would be the best way to block unknown programs from executing?
A.Access control list
B.Application allow list
C.Host-based firewall
D.DLP solution
Answer: B
Explanation:
Application allow list only allows trusted applications or files to run.
A company hired a consultant to perform an offensive security assessment covering penetration testing and social
engineering.
Which of the following teams will conduct this assessment activity?
A.White
B.Purple
C.Blue
D.Red
Answer: D
Explanation:
D because red teams are offensive and blue teams are defensive.
A software development manager wants to ensure the authenticity of the code created by the company. Which of
the following options is the most appropriate?
A.Testing input validation on the user input fields

B.Performing code signing on company-developed software
C.Performing static code analysis on the software
D.Ensuring secure cookies are use
Answer: B
Explanation:
Performing code signing on company-developed software.
Which of the following can be used to identify potential attacker activities without affecting production servers?
A.Honeypot
B.Video surveillance
C.Zero Trust
D.Geofencing
Answer: A
Explanation:
Honeypot - a network-attached system set up as a decoy to lure cyber attackers and detect, deflect and
study hacking attempts on systems.
During an investigation, an incident response team attempts to understand the source of an incident. Which of the
following incident response activities describes this process?
A.Analysis
B.Lessons learned
C.Detection
D.Containment
Answer: A
Explanation:
A. AnalysisDuring an investigation, the incident response team engages in the process of understanding the
source of an incident through analysis. This involves examining the data and evidence collected to determine
how the incident occurred, its origin, and its impact.Therefore, the correct answer is:A. Analysis.
A security practitioner completes a vulnerability assessment on a company’s network and finds several
vulnerabilities, which the operations team remediates. Which of the following should be done next?
A.Conduct an audit.
B.Initiate a penetration test.
C.Rescan the network.
D.Submit a report.
Answer: C
Explanation:
Rescanning the network is essential to verify that the previously identified vulnerabilities have been
successfully remediated and to ensure that no new vulnerabilities have been introduced. This step confirms
the effectiveness of the remediation efforts before moving on to further actions such as audits, penetration
tests, or reporting.
An administrator was notified that a user logged in remotely after hours and copied large amounts of data to a
personal device.
Which of the following best describes the user’s activity?
A.Penetration testing
B.Phishing campaign
C.External audit
D.Insider threat
Answer: D
Explanation:
D. Insider ThreatAn insider threat is the potential for an insider to use their authorized access or
understanding of an organization to harm that organization.
Which of the following allows for the attribution of messages to individuals?
A.Adaptive identity
B.Non-repudiation
C.Authentication
D.Access logs
Answer: B
Explanation:
Correct answer is B:Non-repudiation.
Which of the following is the best way to consistently determine on a daily basis whether security settings on
servers have been modified?
A.Automation
B.Compliance checklist
C.Attestation
D.Manual audit
Answer: A
Explanation:
Automation involves using tools and scripts to regularly check and report on the security settings of servers.
This method ensures consistent, real-time monitoring and can quickly detect any unauthorized changes. It is
more reliable and efficient compared to manual methods, compliance checklists, or periodic attestations,
which may not capture changes as promptly or consistently.
Which of the following tools can assist with detecting an employee who has accidentally emailed a file containing
a customer’s PII?
A.SCAP
B.NetFlow
C.Antivirus
D.DLP
Answer: D
Explanation:
Data Loss Prevention protects sensitive information from loss, corruption, misuse, or unauthorized access.
An organization recently updated its security policy to include the following statement:
Regular expressions are included in source code to remove special characters such as $, |, ;. &, `, and ? from
variables set by forms in a web application.
Which of the following best explains the security technique the organization adopted by making this addition to
the policy?
A.Identify embedded keys

B.Code debugging
C.Input validation
D.Static code analysis
Answer: C
Explanation:
Input validation is the process of analyzing inputs and disallowing those which are considered unsuitable. Ie:
Only allowing accepted inputs based on specific criteria.
A security analyst and the management team are reviewing the organizational performance of a recent phishing
campaign. The user click-through rate exceeded the acceptable risk threshold, and the management team wants
to reduce the impact when a user clicks on a link in a phishing message. Which of the following should the analyst
do?
A.Place posters around the office to raise awareness of common phishing activities.
B.Implement email security filters to prevent phishing emails from being delivered.
C.Update the EDR policies to block automatic execution of downloaded programs.
D.Create additional training for users to recognize the signs of phishing attempts.
Answer: C
Explanation:
C. Update the EDR policies to block automatic execution of downloaded programs.While raising awareness,
implementing email filters, and providing additional training are important measures, updating Endpoint
Detection and Response (EDR) policies to block the automatic execution of downloaded programs directly
addresses the issue of reducing the impact when a user clicks on a phishing link. This approach helps prevent
malicious software from being executed on the user's system, thus mitigating potential harm.Therefore, the
correct answer is:C. Update the EDR policies to block automatic execution of downloaded programs.
Which of the following has been implemented when a host-based firewall on a legacy Linux system allows
connections from only specific internal IP addresses?
A.Compensating control
B.Network segmentation
C.Transfer of risk
D.SNMP traps
Answer: A
Explanation:
A. Compensating controlA compensating control is a security measure that is put in place to satisfy the
requirements of a security policy or standard when the primary control cannot be implemented. In this case,
the host-based firewall on a legacy Linux system allowing connections from only specific internal IP
addresses serves as a compensating control to protect the system by limiting access to trusted
sources.Therefore, the correct answer is:A. Compensating control.
The management team notices that new accounts that are set up manually do not always have correct access or
permissions.
Which of the following automation techniques should a systems administrator use to streamline account creation?
A.Guard rail script

B.Ticketing workflow
C.Escalation script
D.User provisioning script
Answer: D
Explanation:
D. User provisioning scriptA user provisioning script automates the process of creating user accounts,
ensuring that each new account is set up with the correct access and permissions consistently. This helps
prevent errors that can occur with manual account creation. the correct answer is:D. User provisioning script.
A company is planning to set up a SIEM system and assign an analyst to review the logs on a weekly basis. Which
of the following types of controls is the company setting up?
A.Corrective
B.Preventive
C.Detective
D.Deterrent
Answer: C
Explanation:
C. DetectiveBy setting up a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system and assigning an
analyst to review the logs on a weekly basis, the company is implementing a detective control. Detective
controls are designed to identify and alert on potential security incidents, allowing the organization to take
appropriate action after an event has occurred. the correct answer is:C. Detective.
A systems administrator is looking for a low-cost application-hosting solution that is cloud-based. Which of the
following meets these requirements?
A.Serverless framework
B.Type 1 hypervisor
C.SD-WAN
D.SDN
Answer: A
Explanation:
A. Serverless frameworkA serverless framework is a cloud-based application-hosting solution that allows

developers to build and run applications without managing the underlying infrastructure. It is typically a low-
cost option because it charges based on the actual usage of the resources rather than requiring the
provisioning of dedicated servers. the correct answer is:A. Serverless framework.
A security operations center determines that the malicious activity detected on a server is normal. Which of the
following activities describes the act of ignoring detected activity in the future?
A.Tuning
B.Aggregating
C.Quarantining
D.Archiving
Answer: A
Explanation:
A. Tuning.Tuning refers to the process of adjusting the configuration of a system, in this case, the security
operations center’s detection systems, to reduce or eliminate the number of false positives. In this context, if
the so-called “malicious activity” is determined to be normal and is expected to recur, the system can be
tuned to ignore this activity in the future, preventing unnecessary alerts.Please note that while the other
options (B. Aggregating, C. Quarantining, D. Archiving) are activities related to managing and responding to
security events, they do not specifically apply to the scenario of ignoring detected activity in the future.
A security analyst reviews domain activity logs and notices the following:
Which of the following is the best explanation for what the security analyst has discovered?
A.The user jsmith’s account has been locked out.

B.A keylogger is installed on jsmith’s workstation.
C.An attacker is attempting to brute force jsmith’s account.
D.Ransomware has been deployed in the domain.
Answer: C
Explanation:
An attacker is attempting to brute force jsmith’s account.
A company is concerned about weather events causing damage to the server room and downtime. Which of the
following should the company consider?
A.Clustering servers
B.Geographic dispersion
C.Load balancers
D.Off-site backups
Answer: B
Explanation:
B. Geographic dispersionGeographic dispersion involves placing critical infrastructure in multiple,

geographically distant locations. This strategy ensures that even if one site is affected by a weather event,
operations can continue at another site, minimizing downtime and maintaining availability.
Which of the following is a primary security concern for a company setting up a BYOD program?
A.End of life
B.Buffer overflow
C.VM escape
D.Jailbreaking
Answer: D
Explanation:
DJailbreaking is the process of removing software restrictions that a device manufacturer has intentionally
put in place. This allows users to gain more control over their device, such as:Installing custom
firmwareInstalling third-party applicationsChoosing their operating systemGetting apps from unofficial
storesTurning their phone into a hotspotChanging the look and operation of their phoneChanging phone
settings at the administrator level.
A company decided to reduce the cost of its annual cyber insurance policy by removing the coverage for
ransomware attacks.
Which of the following analysis elements did the company most likely use in making this decision?
A.MTTR
B.RTO
C.ARO
D.MTBF
Answer: C
Explanation:
MTTR (Mean Time to Repair): This measures the average time it takes to repair a system or component after a
failure. It is used to assess how quickly an organization can respond to and fix issues.RTO (Recovery Time
Objective): This is the maximum acceptable amount of time that a system or application can be down after a
failure or disaster. It defines the target time for recovery.ARO (Annualized Rate of Occurrence): This estimates
the frequency with which a specific risk or event is expected to occur in a year. It helps in assessing the
likelihood of risks.MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures): This measures the average time between failures of a
system or component. It is used to predict the reliability and performance of systems over time.In the context
of the company deciding to remove ransomware coverage to reduce costs, they likely assessed the ARO
(Annualized Rate of Occurrence) to determine how often ransomware attacks are expected to occur and
decided the risk was low enough to justify the cost savings.
Which of the following is the most likely to be included as an element of communication in a security awareness
program?
A.Reporting phishing attempts or other suspicious activities

B.Detecting insider threats using anomalous behavior recognition
C.Verifying information when modifying wire transfer data
D.Performing social engineering as part of third-party penetration testing
Answer: A
Explanation:
Reporting phishing attempts or other suspicious activities.

HOTSPOT -
Select the appropriate attack and remediation from each drop-down list to label the corresponding attack with its
remediation.
INSTRUCTIONS -
Not all attacks and remediation actions will be used.
If at any time you would like to bring back the initial state of the simulation, please click the Reset All button.
Answer:
HOTSPOT -
You are a security administrator investigating a potential infection on a network.
INSTRUCTIONS -
Click on each host and firewall. Review all logs to determine which host originated the infection and then identify if
each remaining host is clean or infected.
If at any time you would like to bring back the initial state of the simulation, please click the Reset All button.
Answer:
Which of the following is the phase in the incident response process when a security analyst reviews roles and
responsibilities?
A.Preparation
B.Recovery
C.Lessons learned
D.Analysis
Answer: A
Explanation:
A. PreparationThe preparation phase in the incident response process is when a security analyst reviews roles
and responsibilities. This phase involves planning and setting up the necessary tools, processes, and team
structures to effectively respond to potential security incidents.Therefore, the correct answer is:A.
Preparation.
After a recent vulnerability scan, a security engineer needs to harden the routers within the corporate network.
Which of the following is the most appropriate to disable?
A.Console access
B.Routing protocols
C.VLANs
D.Web-based administration
Answer: D
Explanation:
Web-based administration.
A security administrator needs a method to secure data in an environment that includes some form of checks so
track any changes. Which of the following should the administrator set up to achieve this goal?
A.SPF
B.GPO
C.NAC
D.FIM
Answer: D
Explanation:
D. FIM (File Integrity Monitoring)File Integrity Monitoring (FIM) is a security technology that monitors and
detects changes in files. FIM solutions can track modifications, access, or deletions of files and notify
administrators of any changes, thus ensuring data integrity and security. the correct answer is:D. FIM.
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CompTIA Security+ 2023

Total: 318 Questions

A.Access list outbound permit 0.0.0.0/0 0.0.0.0/0 port 53

A.Cancel current employee recognition gift cards.

B.Add a smishing exercise to the annual company training.

C.Issue a general email warning to the company.

A.A thorough analysis of the supply chain

Which of the following attacks is most likely occurring?

A.access-list inbound deny ip source 0.0.0.0/0 destination 10.1.4.9/32

A.Implementing a bastion host

A.Disaster recovery plan

A.Send out periodic security reminders.

A.The end user changed the file permissions.

Correct answer is C:Input validation.

A.Air gap the system.

A.To gather IoCs for the investigation

To prevent future incidents of the same nature.

Correct answer is C:Geolocation policy.

A.Local data protection regulations

Application allow list only allows trusted applications or files to run.

A.Testing input validation on the user input fields

Performing code signing on company-developed software.

Correct answer is B:Non-repudiation.

A.Identify embedded keys

A.Guard rail script

A. Serverless frameworkA serverless framework is a cloud-based application-hosting solution that allows

A.The user jsmith’s account has been locked out.

An attacker is attempting to brute force jsmith’s account.

B. Geographic dispersionGeographic dispersion involves placing critical infrastructure in multiple,

A.Reporting phishing attempts or other suspicious activities

Reporting phishing attempts or other suspicious activities.

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Total: 318 Questions

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