CompTIA Security+ Practice Test (SY0-701)

Snapshots provide a point-in-time copy of the virtual machine's disk file, which can be used to restore a system back to a particular state with minimal downtime. This makes them highly suitable for environments where data needs to be restored quickly and efficiently, such as in a healthcare company handling sensitive patient records. Traditional backups involve copying files to another location and often result in longer recovery times. Differential and incremental backups, while useful for saving storage space and reducing backup time, do not provide the immediate state recovery that snapshots offer.

Introducing security controls during the requirements phase, applying coding standards throughout the development, and performing security testing before launch represents an integrated approach to the security deployment for the patient management system. Addressing security at every stage ensures that security is built into the system from the outset, reducing the risk of later vulnerabilities. Merely encrypting the database addresses only data at rest and does not integrate security throughout the lifecycle. Restricting access to development environments protects the development process but leaves post-deployment security measures unaddressed. Updating service-level contracts is crucial for managing relationships with third parties but does not inherently secure the application development process.

The primary role of a generator in the security architecture of a data center is to provide backup power in the event that the main power supply fails. This ensures that critical systems remain operational during power outages, thus maintaining high availability and preventing potential security breaches that could occur due to system downtime.

A rootkit is a type of malware known for its ability to hide its existence from standard detection methods, making it notoriously challenging to remove. While updating antivirus signatures is important for prevention and containment, it might not effectively remove an advanced rootkit. The use of a trusted clean recovery environment or operating system to run the eradication process is generally accepted as the best method to ensure that the rootkit is not able to evade removal efforts, as it may do if the infected operating system is used for removal. Patching the server is a key step in preventing future infections, but it does not address removing the existing rootkit. Lastly, turning off the server would indeed stop all current rootkit activity, but it is not practically viable in this context since the organization requires the server to remain operational for critical tasks, and the rootkit would likely still be present when the server is restarted.

A Security Information and Event Management system collects and correlates events from different sources across the organization's infrastructure to identify aberrant activities that may signify security threats. The incorrect options do not primarily focus on aggregating and analyzing data from multiple resources to identify security incidents; Data Loss Prevention focuses on protecting sensitive data from leaks, Network Management uses SNMP traps mainly for network device management, and Intrusion Detection Systems monitor network traffic to identify potential malicious activity.

The described scenario suggests that the application is experiencing a Buffer Overflow vulnerability. Buffer overflow happens when a program attempts to write more data to a fixed-length block of memory, or buffer, than it is allocated to hold. Since the application is crashing when processing long strings, it is likely that the allocated memory for the input data is being exceeded, causing the application to terminate unexpectedly. SQL Injection vulnerabilities are exploited by entering malicious SQL statements into input fields, aiming to manipulate the back-end database, which is not related to the length of input causing crashes. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities exploit the way browsers parse HTML and JavaScript but would not cause the application to terminate in the described manner. Directory Traversal attacks aim at accessing files and directories that are stored outside the web root folder, and although they are serious, they do not fit the symptoms described.

Granting standard employees local administrator rights exceeds what they need for their daily tasks and dramatically enlarges the potential attack surface, so it violates the principle of least privilege. The other options either restrict access to only what is required or provide temporary elevated rights that are revoked afterward, which aligns with the principle.

Reviewing local and regional legislation where the company operates is essential to ensure the security policy complies with various legal requirements. Each jurisdiction may have unique cybersecurity laws, data protection regulations, and privacy mandates that must be followed. Consulting a legal expert ensures that the policy is drafted with a thorough understanding of these norms. Merely aligning with international standards or involving local employees without considering legal advice may not fully capture the nuances of the region’s laws. Neglecting the legal aspect could potentially lead to non-compliance issues.

Implementing a file integrity monitoring solution that automatically checks the integrity of system and application software files is the correct answer because such a solution can detect changes to critical system files and software packages, alerting administrators if unauthorized modifications occur. Using automatic updates does not necessarily check for unauthorized modifications; it just updates software to the latest versions. Scanning with an antivirus checks for malware but does not validate software package integrity or unauthorized changes. Using a configuration management database is helpful for tracking changes but does not automatically monitor file integrity.

Due diligence involves a comprehensive appraisal of a business or person's performance, legal obligations, technical competencies, and financial viability before entering into an agreement. Conducting an in-depth background check, which includes reviewing past performance, financial stability, and reputation in the industry, is the correct course of action to ensure due diligence and care is undertaken. This action helps ascertain XYZ Support Inc.’s ability to deliver on their commitments, and align with ABC Tech Corporation's requirements and standards.

Implementing load balancing distributes incoming network traffic across multiple servers, effectively managing compute resources to handle fluctuating workloads. This improves both availability and scalability, ensuring the application remains responsive during peak usage times. While data replication to a standby server aids in recovery, it doesn't directly manage compute resources. Scheduling maintenance during off-peak hours minimizes disruption but doesn't address real-time workload management. Deploying redundant power supplies enhances power availability but doesn't handle compute load distribution.

The correct answer is "To assure customers and partners that the organization's security controls follow industry best practices and to build trust." Independent audits provide objective evidence of the organization's security posture, helping to demonstrate due diligence and enhance credibility with stakeholders. They do not eliminate the need for internal reviews, hide vulnerabilities, or allow firms to bypass contractual requirements; in fact, they often highlight the need for continued internal assessment and adherence to contracts.

This scenario is a classic example of pretexting. Pretexting involves an attacker creating a believable, fabricated scenario (the pretext) to manipulate a victim into providing sensitive information. In this case, the pretext is a security audit by a fake IT department member. Phishing is incorrect as it typically refers to attacks via email. Smishing is incorrect as it involves attacks via SMS text messages. A watering hole attack is incorrect as it involves compromising a website that targets are known to frequent.

The installation of an unauthorized wireless router or access point is known as a Rogue Access Point or Rogue AP. A Rogue AP could be an attack or simply an employee breaking policy and setting up a wireless AP without permission. This is dangerous as the wireless device (without proper configuration) would allow outside devices onto the network and would be the equivalent of gaining physical access to the network.

Detective controls are designed to identify and record unauthorized activities or access within a system or network. Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) are a perfect example of detective controls since their main purpose is to detect potential security breaches, log security events, and alert systems or network administrators. While firewalls are used for prevention, and security policies guide user behavior, they are not primarily used to detect unauthorized activities.