CompTIA CAS-005 CompTIA SecurityX Exam Dumps and Practice Test Questions Set 12 Q166-180
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Question 166
A company wants to protect sensitive data in cloud storage from unauthorized access by employees and third parties. Which solution provides the most effective protection while maintaining usability?
A) Allowing unrestricted access to all users
B) Implementing encryption at rest and in transit, role-based access control, and auditing
C) Trusting employees not to access sensitive data
D) Disabling cloud storage entirely
Answer: B)
Explanation:
Cloud storage is widely used for collaboration and data accessibility, but it introduces risks such as unauthorized access, insider threats, and data breaches. Allowing unrestricted access to all users is highly risky. Anyone with network or account access could view, modify, or exfiltrate sensitive data, undermining confidentiality and compliance efforts. This approach lacks enforceable controls, accountability, and auditability, making it nearly impossible to prevent data loss or respond to incidents effectively.
Trusting employees not to access sensitive data is insufficient. Even well-trained employees can make mistakes, access files unintentionally, or deliberately misuse information. Human behavior is unpredictable, and relying solely on personal ethics leaves sensitive data exposed, particularly when data is accessible remotely or through multiple devices.
Disabling cloud storage entirely would prevent unauthorized access but is impractical. Organizations rely on cloud storage for collaboration, remote access, file sharing, and business operations. Blocking access would significantly hinder productivity and workflow, potentially encouraging shadow IT solutions that increase security risks.
Implementing encryption at rest and in transit, role-based access control, and auditing provides the most effective protection. Encryption at rest protects data stored in the cloud by ensuring that it cannot be read without decryption keys, even if storage systems are compromised. Encryption in transit protects data from interception while being transmitted over networks. Role-based access control enforces the principle of least privilege, ensuring users access only the data necessary for their roles. Auditing provides a complete record of data access and modifications, supporting compliance, incident response, and accountability. Integration with identity management and monitoring systems allows administrators to detect suspicious activity, revoke access, and enforce security policies centrally. This layered approach balances security and usability, protecting sensitive information while maintaining operational efficiency. Encryption, RBAC, and auditing are proactive, enforceable, and scalable, providing comprehensive protection without disrupting business processes.
The reasoning demonstrates that encryption at rest and in transit, role-based access control, and auditing is the optimal solution. Unrestricted access, reliance on employee vigilance, or disabling cloud storage either exposes sensitive data or disrupts operations.
Question 167
A company wants to ensure secure remote access to internal resources for employees working from multiple locations. Which solution provides the most effective protection while maintaining usability?
A) Allowing direct VPN access without authentication
B) Implementing VPN with multi-factor authentication and endpoint compliance checks
C) Trusting employees to secure their own devices
D) Disabling remote access entirely
Answer: B)
Explanation:
Remote access enables employees to work from multiple locations but introduces risks such as unauthorized access, compromised devices, and data breaches. Allowing direct VPN access without authentication is highly risky. Attackers could easily exploit stolen credentials, unpatched devices, or misconfigured systems to gain access to critical resources. Without verification, there is no guarantee that the connecting device is secure or that the user is authorized, exposing sensitive systems and data.
Trusting employees to secure their own devices is insufficient. Even knowledgeable users may fail to apply updates, configure security settings correctly, or avoid risky behavior. Human behavior is inconsistent, and relying solely on employee vigilance cannot enforce policies or prevent compromise.
Disabling remote access entirely prevents unauthorized connections but significantly disrupts productivity. Employees require remote access for business-critical tasks, collaboration, and communication. Blocking access may force users to adopt unsanctioned alternatives, increasing security risks.
Implementing VPN with multi-factor authentication and endpoint compliance checks provides the most effective protection. VPN establishes an encrypted tunnel for secure communication between remote devices and internal resources, preventing eavesdropping. Multi-factor authentication verifies user identity using multiple methods, reducing the risk of credential compromise. Endpoint compliance checks ensure that connecting devices meet security requirements, such as updated patches, antivirus protection, and encryption, before granting access. Integration with centralized management enables monitoring, logging, and automated policy enforcement. Alerts notify administrators of anomalies or policy violations, supporting incident response and auditability. This layered approach balances security and usability, allowing remote work while minimizing the risk of unauthorized access or compromised devices. VPN with MFA and compliance checks is proactive, enforceable, and scalable, providing secure, reliable remote access without disrupting business operations.
The reasoning demonstrates that VPN with MFA and endpoint compliance checks provides comprehensive, enforceable protection. Direct access without authentication, reliance on employee diligence, or disabling remote access either exposes systems or disrupts productivity.
Question 168
A company wants to protect its network from malware and advanced persistent threats originating from the internet. Which solution provides the most effective protection while maintaining usability?
A) Allowing unrestricted internet access
B) Implementing a next-generation firewall (NGFW) with intrusion prevention and advanced threat detection
C) Trusting employees to avoid malicious websites
D) Disabling internet access entirely
Answer: B)
Explanation:
Modern networks face threats such as malware, ransomware, spyware, and advanced persistent threats (APTs). Allowing unrestricted internet access is extremely risky. Employees could inadvertently visit malicious websites, download infected files, or fall victim to phishing attacks, allowing malware to infiltrate the network. Lack of network controls increases exposure and reduces the ability to prevent or detect threats.
Trusting employees to avoid malicious websites is insufficient. Even well-trained personnel may be deceived by sophisticated social engineering attacks or malicious advertising (malvertising). Human vigilance alone cannot scale across an organization or provide real-time protection against sophisticated threats.
Disabling internet access entirely prevents external threats but is impractical. Many business processes rely on internet access for communication, cloud services, research, collaboration, and operational functions. Blocking access reduces productivity, forces alternative methods that may bypass security controls, and hinders workflow efficiency.
Implementing a next-generation firewall with intrusion prevention and advanced threat detection provides the most effective protection. NGFWs combine traditional firewall capabilities with deep packet inspection, application awareness, and integrated intrusion prevention. Advanced threat detection leverages signature-based, behavioral, and heuristic analysis to identify and block known and emerging threats. NGFWs can enforce policies at the application level, control access, and integrate with logging and monitoring systems for centralized visibility. This layered approach balances security and usability, preventing malware and APTs while allowing authorized internet activity. Integration with SIEM and endpoint protection enables correlation of events, rapid incident response, and compliance reporting. NGFWs are proactive, enforceable, and scalable, providing comprehensive protection against malware and sophisticated threats without disrupting legitimate business operations.
The reasoning demonstrates that NGFWs with intrusion prevention and advanced threat detection provide comprehensive, proactive protection. Unrestricted internet access, reliance on employee behavior, or disabling internet either exposes the network or disrupts usability.
Question 169
A company wants to ensure that sensitive emails are protected during transit and can only be read by intended recipients. Which solution provides the most effective protection while maintaining usability?
A) Sending emails without encryption
B) Implementing end-to-end email encryption with digital signatures and key management
C) Trusting employees to send sensitive information responsibly
D) Disabling email communication entirely
Answer: B)
Explanation:
Email is a primary communication channel but is susceptible to interception, spoofing, and unauthorized access. Sending emails without encryption is highly risky. Sensitive information, including personal data, financial information, and proprietary content, could be intercepted by attackers during transit, leading to breaches, compliance violations, or reputational damage.
Trusting employees to send sensitive information responsibly is insufficient. Human error, negligence, or lack of awareness may result in accidental exposure or intentional misuse. Reliance solely on employee vigilance cannot provide consistent protection or enforce organizational policies.
Disabling email communication prevents risk but is impractical. Email is essential for internal and external communication, collaboration, and operational functions. Blocking email disrupts workflows, reduces productivity, and may force employees to use unsecured alternatives, increasing overall risk.
Implementing end-to-end email encryption with digital signatures and key management provides the most effective protection. End-to-end encryption ensures that messages are encrypted from the sender to the intended recipient, preventing unauthorized interception or reading during transit. Digital signatures verify the authenticity of the sender and maintain message integrity, detecting tampering or forgery. Proper key management ensures that encryption keys are securely issued, stored, and revoked when necessary. Integration with email servers and clients allows seamless encryption without disrupting normal workflows. Logging and auditing provide accountability, incident response capabilities, and regulatory compliance evidence. This layered approach balances security and usability, allowing employees to communicate securely while protecting sensitive information. End-to-end encryption with digital signatures and key management is proactive, enforceable, and scalable, ensuring secure email communication without compromising operational efficiency.
The reasoning demonstrates that end-to-end encryption with digital signatures and key management provides comprehensive, proactive protection. Unencrypted email, reliance on employee vigilance, or disabling email either exposes sensitive content or disrupts operations.
Question 170
A company wants to ensure that mobile applications accessing corporate data are secure and compliant. Which solution provides the most effective protection while maintaining usability?
A) Allowing any mobile application to access corporate data
B) Implementing Mobile Application Management (MAM) with application control, containerization, and compliance enforcement
C) Trusting employees to only install secure applications
D) Disabling mobile application access entirely
Answer: B)
Explanation:
Mobile devices are widely used for business operations, but unsecured or non-compliant applications pose risks such as data leakage, malware, and unauthorized access. Allowing any mobile application to access corporate data is extremely risky. Malicious or vulnerable apps could exfiltrate sensitive information, introduce malware, or bypass security controls. Lack of enforcement and monitoring increases exposure and reduces visibility into potential threats.
Trusting employees to only install secure applications is insufficient. Even knowledgeable users may inadvertently install unsafe apps, ignore updates, or misuse permissions. Human behavior is inconsistent, and relying solely on employee vigilance cannot enforce organizational policies or protect corporate data.
Disabling mobile application access entirely prevents exposure but is impractical. Employees rely on mobile apps for communication, collaboration, and business functions. Blocking access disrupts workflow, reduces productivity, and may encourage use of unsanctioned apps or devices.
Implementing Mobile Application Management with application control, containerization, and compliance enforcement provides the most effective protection. Application control ensures that only approved applications can access corporate data. Containerization separates corporate data from personal data on mobile devices, preventing leakage and maintaining security boundaries. Compliance enforcement ensures that applications meet organizational policies, including encryption, authentication, and patching requirements. Integration with MDM and monitoring platforms allows centralized management, reporting, and automated remediation. Alerts notify administrators of non-compliant or suspicious activity, supporting incident response and auditability. This layered approach balances security and usability, enabling employees to use mobile applications safely while protecting sensitive data. MAM with application control, containerization, and compliance enforcement is proactive, enforceable, and scalable, maintaining mobile productivity without compromising security.
The reasoning demonstrates that Mobile Application Management with application control, containerization, and compliance enforcement provides comprehensive, proactive protection. Allowing unrestricted applications, relying solely on employee diligence, or disabling mobile access either exposes data or disrupts workflow.
Question 171
A company wants to ensure that sensitive data stored on endpoints is protected even if the device is lost or stolen. Which solution provides the most effective protection while maintaining usability?
A) Allowing unencrypted storage on all endpoints
B) Implementing full-disk encryption with secure key management and pre-boot authentication
C) Trusting employees not to lose devices
D) Disabling storage on endpoints entirely
Answer: B)
Explanation:
Endpoints such as laptops, desktops, and portable devices often store sensitive corporate data. Allowing unencrypted storage on these devices is highly risky. If a device is lost or stolen, attackers could gain unrestricted access to all files, potentially exfiltrating confidential information, intellectual property, or personal data. Lack of encryption eliminates a critical layer of protection, leaving the organization exposed to data breaches, regulatory violations, and reputational damage.
Trusting employees not to lose devices is insufficient. Even the most responsible personnel may misplace, forget, or have devices stolen. Human behavior is unpredictable, and reliance on personal diligence alone cannot prevent unauthorized access in the event of a lost or stolen device.
Disabling storage on endpoints entirely prevents exposure but is impractical. Endpoints need local storage for applications, files, caching, and operational workflows. Blocking all storage would disrupt business processes, reduce productivity, and force employees to find workarounds, which may introduce additional security risks.
Implementing full-disk encryption with secure key management and pre-boot authentication provides the most effective protection. Full-disk encryption ensures that all data on the device is unreadable without the proper decryption key, protecting confidentiality even if the device is physically compromised. Secure key management protects cryptographic keys from unauthorized access, ensuring only authorized users can unlock the device. Pre-boot authentication requires users to verify their identity before the operating system loads, preventing unauthorized booting and access to encrypted data. Integration with centralized management allows administrators to enforce encryption policies, track compliance, and remotely revoke access or wipe devices if necessary. Logging and auditing provide visibility into encryption status and user activity, supporting compliance and incident response. This layered approach balances security and usability, enabling employees to work effectively while ensuring that sensitive data remains protected. Full-disk encryption with secure key management and pre-boot authentication is proactive, enforceable, and scalable, providing robust protection for endpoint devices without disrupting workflow.
The reasoning demonstrates that full-disk encryption with secure key management and pre-boot authentication provides comprehensive, proactive protection. Unencrypted storage, reliance on employee diligence, or disabling storage either exposes sensitive data or hinders operational functionality.
Question 172
A company wants to prevent unauthorized installation of software on corporate endpoints. Which solution provides the most effective protection while maintaining usability?
A) Allowing all software installations
B) Implementing application whitelisting with endpoint management and monitoring
C) Trusting employees to install only approved applications
D) Disabling software installation entirely
Answer: B)
Explanation:
Unauthorized software installation poses risks including malware infection, system instability, data breaches, and regulatory non-compliance. Allowing all software installations is highly risky. Users could install malicious applications, potentially compromising endpoint security, gaining elevated privileges, or introducing vulnerabilities. Lack of enforcement leaves endpoints vulnerable to exploits and reduces accountability for installed applications.
Trusting employees to install only approved software is insufficient. Even well-intentioned employees may inadvertently install unsafe applications or bypass guidelines for convenience. Human behavior is inconsistent, and relying solely on employee diligence cannot provide consistent protection across a large organization.
Disabling software installation entirely prevents risk but is impractical. Users need to install approved software for operational tasks, updates, and productivity. Blocking all installations hinders workflow and productivity, potentially forcing users to seek unsanctioned alternatives, which may introduce further security risks.
Implementing application whitelisting with endpoint management and monitoring provides the most effective protection. Application whitelisting allows only pre-approved applications to execute, preventing unauthorized or malicious software from running. Endpoint management enables administrators to define policies, enforce compliance, and distribute software updates securely. Monitoring tracks application execution, logs installation attempts, and alerts administrators to non-compliant activity. Integration with centralized security and endpoint protection systems ensures that policy enforcement is consistent and scalable. This layered approach balances security and usability, allowing necessary software while preventing unauthorized or harmful applications. Application whitelisting with management and monitoring is proactive, enforceable, and scalable, reducing malware risk, enforcing compliance, and maintaining operational efficiency.
The reasoning demonstrates that application whitelisting with endpoint management and monitoring provides comprehensive, proactive protection. Unrestricted installation, reliance on employee diligence, or disabling installation either exposes endpoints to risk or disrupts productivity.
Question 173
A company wants to detect and respond to anomalies in network traffic in real time to prevent data breaches. Which solution provides the most effective protection while maintaining usability?
A) Ignoring unusual network activity
B) Implementing a Network Detection and Response (NDR) solution with behavioral analytics and alerting
C) Trusting network administrators to identify anomalies manually
D) Disabling network connectivity entirely
Answer: B)
Explanation:
Monitoring network traffic is critical for detecting threats, including malware communication, lateral movement, and exfiltration attempts. Ignoring unusual network activity is extremely risky. Threats can go unnoticed, allowing attackers to compromise sensitive data, move laterally across the network, and escalate privileges without detection. Without real-time monitoring, incident response is delayed, increasing potential damage.
Trusting network administrators to identify anomalies manually is insufficient. Manual inspection of network traffic is impractical in modern environments due to high data volumes, sophisticated attacks, and encrypted communications. Human monitoring cannot provide consistent, scalable, or rapid detection, leaving gaps that attackers can exploit.
Disabling network connectivity prevents communication-based attacks but is impractical. Business operations rely on network connectivity for applications, collaboration, and services. Blocking all connectivity disrupts productivity and forces employees to use potentially insecure workarounds.
Implementing a Network Detection and Response solution with behavioral analytics and alerting provides the most effective protection. NDR solutions analyze network traffic for unusual patterns using behavioral analytics, machine learning, and threat intelligence. Suspicious activities such as abnormal data transfers, unauthorized access attempts, or communication with known malicious endpoints trigger alerts for investigation. Integration with Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) and incident response tools enables rapid containment, automated response, and forensic analysis. Logging and reporting support compliance and auditing. This layered approach balances security and usability, detecting threats proactively while allowing normal network operations. NDR with behavioral analytics and alerting is proactive, enforceable, and scalable, providing continuous monitoring and timely response without hindering productivity.
The reasoning demonstrates that NDR with behavioral analytics and alerting provides comprehensive, proactive protection. Ignoring activity, relying solely on manual monitoring, or disabling network connectivity either exposes the organization or disrupts operations.
Question 174
A company wants to ensure that sensitive internal web applications are only accessed by authorized users. Which solution provides the most effective protection while maintaining usability?
A) Allowing unrestricted access to all employees
B) Implementing Single Sign-On (SSO) with role-based access control and multi-factor authentication
C) Trusting employees not to share credentials
D) Disabling internal web applications entirely
Answer: B)
Explanation:
Internal web applications often store sensitive corporate data, making access control crucial. Allowing unrestricted access is highly risky. Unauthorized users could view, modify, or exfiltrate data, undermining confidentiality, integrity, and compliance. Lack of controls reduces accountability and increases exposure to both insider and external threats.
Trusting employees not to share credentials is insufficient. Even well-trained employees may inadvertently share credentials, be compromised via phishing, or reuse passwords insecurely. Human behavior cannot reliably prevent unauthorized access.
Disabling internal web applications prevents exposure but is impractical. Business operations rely on applications for collaboration, reporting, processing, and data management. Blocking access disrupts workflow, reduces productivity, and may force use of insecure alternatives.
Implementing Single Sign-On with role-based access control and multi-factor authentication provides the most effective protection. SSO allows centralized authentication, simplifying user access while enforcing security policies. Role-based access control ensures users can access only resources required for their roles, adhering to the principle of least privilege. Multi-factor authentication adds additional verification, reducing the risk of credential compromise. Integration with logging, monitoring, and identity management platforms enables auditing, anomaly detection, and rapid response to potential breaches. This layered approach balances security and usability, allowing seamless access to authorized users while protecting sensitive applications. SSO with RBAC and MFA is proactive, enforceable, and scalable, ensuring secure access without disrupting operational efficiency.
The reasoning demonstrates that SSO with RBAC and MFA provides comprehensive, proactive protection. Unrestricted access, reliance on employee vigilance, or disabling applications either exposes sensitive data or disrupts productivity.
Question 175
A company wants to prevent sensitive data from being printed on unsecured devices. Which solution provides the most effective protection while maintaining usability?
A) Allowing any printer to be used
B) Implementing secure print management with authentication, tracking, and release policies
C) Trusting employees not to misuse printers
D) Disabling printing entirely
Answer: B)
Explanation:
Printing sensitive information carries risks including unauthorized viewing, loss, and data breaches. Allowing any printer to be used is highly risky. Employees or outsiders could access sensitive documents, and accountability is limited. Unsecured printing compromises confidentiality and exposes the organization to regulatory and operational risks.
Trusting employees not to misuse printers is insufficient. Even well-intentioned employees may forget security procedures, make mistakes, or deliberately bypass policies. Human behavior alone cannot reliably protect printed information.
Disabling printing entirely prevents exposure but is impractical. Printing is often necessary for contracts, reports, regulatory documentation, and operational tasks. Blocking printing disrupts workflow, reduces productivity, and may lead to unsafe alternatives, such as printing at home or using unsanctioned devices.
Implementing secure print management with authentication, tracking, and release policies provides the most effective protection. Authentication ensures that only authorized users can release print jobs, preventing unauthorized access. Tracking logs who prints each document, when, and on which device, providing accountability and audit trails. Release policies, such as pull printing, ensure that documents are only printed when the user is physically present at the printer. Integration with endpoint and network monitoring allows administrators to detect anomalies and enforce security policies centrally. This layered approach balances security and usability, enabling employees to print sensitive documents safely while maintaining operational efficiency. Secure print management with authentication, tracking, and release policies is proactive, enforceable, and scalable, reducing the risk of data exposure without hindering productivity.
The reasoning demonstrates that secure print management with authentication, tracking, and release policies provides comprehensive, proactive protection. Unrestricted printing, reliance on employee vigilance, or disabling printing either exposes sensitive data or disrupts workflow.
Question 176
A company wants to protect its endpoints from zero-day malware and unknown threats. Which solution provides the most effective protection while maintaining usability?
A) Allowing all applications to run without restriction
B) Implementing Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) with behavioral analysis and threat intelligence
C) Trusting employees not to download malicious software
D) Disabling endpoint functionality entirely
Answer: B)
Explanation:
Endpoints such as desktops, laptops, and mobile devices are primary targets for malware, ransomware, and zero-day exploits. Allowing all applications to run without restriction is extremely risky. Any malicious or vulnerable software could execute, compromising sensitive data, installing backdoors, or creating lateral movement opportunities for attackers. Lack of control eliminates real-time threat detection and increases the potential attack surface.
Trusting employees not to download malicious software is insufficient. Human error, negligence, or lack of awareness can result in the execution of malware, phishing downloads, or unauthorized applications. Even experienced personnel may unknowingly introduce threats. Reliance on employee behavior alone is inconsistent and insufficient for protecting endpoints against sophisticated attacks.
Disabling endpoint functionality entirely prevents threats but is impractical. Endpoints are essential for daily operations, productivity, communication, and access to applications. Blocking usage disrupts business processes and reduces efficiency, potentially prompting unsafe workarounds.
Implementing Endpoint Detection and Response with behavioral analysis and threat intelligence provides the most effective protection. EDR solutions continuously monitor endpoint activities for unusual patterns, such as abnormal file execution, process injection, or privilege escalation. Behavioral analysis detects threats that signature-based antivirus solutions may miss, including zero-day malware. Integration with threat intelligence feeds ensures real-time identification of emerging threats and known malicious indicators. EDR platforms provide automated response capabilities, including isolating compromised endpoints, terminating suspicious processes, and alerting security teams. Logging and reporting enable auditing, compliance, and forensic analysis. This layered approach balances security and usability, proactively detecting and mitigating unknown threats without disrupting user workflow. EDR with behavioral analysis and threat intelligence is proactive, enforceable, and scalable, providing comprehensive protection against sophisticated malware while maintaining operational efficiency.
The reasoning demonstrates that Endpoint Detection and Response with behavioral analysis and threat intelligence provides comprehensive, proactive protection. Unrestricted application execution, reliance on employee vigilance, or disabling endpoints either exposes systems or disrupts productivity.
Question 177
A company wants to prevent unauthorized access to cloud-hosted applications while supporting mobile and remote work. Which solution provides the most effective protection while maintaining usability?
A) Allowing all users unrestricted cloud access
B) Implementing Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) with identity verification, policy enforcement, and encryption
C) Trusting employees to follow security guidelines
D) Disabling cloud applications entirely
Answer: B)
Explanation:
Cloud-hosted applications provide flexibility, collaboration, and remote access, but they are vulnerable to unauthorized access, data leakage, and insider threats. Allowing unrestricted cloud access is highly risky. Unauthorized users could gain access to sensitive data, modify resources, or disrupt operations. Without centralized enforcement, there is no accountability or auditing, leaving the organization exposed to breaches and compliance violations.
Trusting employees to follow security guidelines is insufficient. Human error, negligence, or deliberate misuse can result in insecure access, shared credentials, or unauthorized applications connecting to corporate cloud resources. Reliance on employees alone cannot provide consistent protection or centralized visibility.
Disabling cloud applications entirely prevents risk but is impractical. Cloud applications are integral to productivity, collaboration, and operations. Blocking access would disrupt workflow, reduce efficiency, and potentially prompt users to seek shadow IT solutions that bypass security controls, increasing overall risk.
Implementing a Cloud Access Security Broker with identity verification, policy enforcement, and encryption provides the most effective protection. CASB solutions monitor and control access to cloud applications, ensuring that only authorized users and compliant devices can connect. Identity verification, often through Single Sign-On (SSO) and multi-factor authentication, confirms that users are who they claim to be. Policy enforcement applies rules for data sharing, download restrictions, and acceptable usage, reducing the risk of data leakage. Encryption protects sensitive data during transit and storage within cloud services. Integration with monitoring and logging systems enables real-time alerts, auditing, and automated response to policy violations. This layered approach balances security and usability, allowing secure access to cloud applications while protecting corporate data. CASB with identity verification, policy enforcement, and encryption is proactive, enforceable, and scalable, maintaining security without disrupting remote and mobile work.
The reasoning demonstrates that CASB with identity verification, policy enforcement, and encryption provides comprehensive, proactive protection. Unrestricted access, reliance on employee diligence, or disabling cloud applications either exposes resources or disrupts operations.
Question 178
A company wants to ensure sensitive corporate data shared via collaboration tools is protected from unauthorized access. Which solution provides the most effective protection while maintaining usability?
A) Allowing unrestricted sharing through collaboration platforms
B) Implementing Data Loss Prevention (DLP) integrated with collaboration tools, encryption, and access controls
C) Trusting employees not to share sensitive information
D) Disabling collaboration tools entirely
Answer: B)
Explanation:
Collaboration tools such as messaging platforms, file-sharing services, and project management applications facilitate productivity but introduce risks of unauthorized data exposure. Allowing unrestricted sharing is highly risky. Employees may inadvertently or intentionally share sensitive information externally, leading to data breaches, regulatory violations, and reputational damage. Lack of enforcement and auditing increases exposure and reduces accountability.
Trusting employees not to share sensitive information is insufficient. Even trained personnel may make mistakes, send files to unintended recipients, or misconfigure sharing settings. Human behavior is inconsistent, and reliance solely on employee judgment cannot enforce policies or protect sensitive data.
Disabling collaboration tools prevents exposure but is impractical. Organizations rely on these tools for daily operations, communication, and project management. Blocking access disrupts workflow, reduces productivity, and may prompt employees to use unapproved or insecure alternatives, increasing risk.
Implementing Data Loss Prevention integrated with collaboration tools, encryption, and access controls provides the most effective protection. DLP monitors and enforces policies on file sharing, messaging, and uploads to detect and prevent unauthorized sharing of sensitive data. Encryption ensures that any data transmitted or stored within collaboration platforms is protected from unauthorized access. Access controls enforce the principle of least privilege, limiting sharing and viewing rights based on user roles. Integration with logging, alerting, and monitoring systems provides visibility into policy violations and suspicious activity, supporting incident response, compliance, and auditing. This layered approach balances security and usability, enabling employees to collaborate safely while protecting corporate information. DLP with encryption and access controls is proactive, enforceable, and scalable, maintaining secure collaboration without disrupting business processes.
The reasoning demonstrates that DLP integrated with collaboration tools, encryption, and access controls provides comprehensive, proactive protection. Unrestricted sharing, reliance on employee behavior, or disabling tools either exposes sensitive information or hinders productivity.
Question 179
A company wants to monitor and control access to sensitive corporate applications based on user behavior and device posture. Which solution provides the most effective protection while maintaining usability?
A) Allowing all users unrestricted access
B) Implementing Zero Trust Network Access (ZTN A) with continuous verification and device assessment
C) Trusting employees to follow security policies
D) Disabling access to sensitive applications entirely
Answer: B)
Explanation:
Monitoring and controlling access based on behavior and device posture is essential in modern environments where users work remotely, use personal devices, and access cloud applications. Allowing all users unrestricted access is highly risky. Unauthorized users could access sensitive systems, exfiltrate data, or introduce malware. Lack of verification and monitoring eliminates accountability and visibility, leaving corporate resources vulnerable.
Relying solely on employees to follow security policies is an inherently unreliable approach to protecting organizational assets and sensitive data. Human behavior is unpredictable, and even well-trained, conscientious personnel can make mistakes or misinterpret policies. Mistakes such as misconfiguring systems, sending sensitive information to the wrong recipient, or inadvertently clicking on a malicious link can occur despite awareness training. In addition to accidental errors, employees may intentionally bypass security controls for convenience or perceived efficiency, such as using personal devices for work tasks, disabling security settings, or sharing passwords. Such actions, whether deliberate or unintentional, create security gaps that attackers can exploit. The variability of human behavior makes it impossible to ensure consistent enforcement of security policies when compliance relies solely on individual responsibility.
Relying exclusively on user compliance also fails to address the sophistication of modern cyber threats. Attackers increasingly use advanced techniques such as social engineering, phishing, ransomware, and zero-day exploits that are designed to manipulate human behavior or bypass standard user knowledge. Even highly trained employees can fall victim to cleverly crafted attacks that exploit cognitive biases, urgency, or trust. A security program that depends only on human vigilance cannot proactively detect or prevent these sophisticated threats. Without technical enforcement, policies exist only as guidelines rather than actionable protections, leaving the organization exposed to compromise.
Moreover, human-driven compliance lacks scalability and continuous oversight. In large organizations with hundreds or thousands of employees, it is unrealistic to expect uniform adherence to policies at all times. Manual monitoring or reliance on individuals to self-report security incidents is insufficient for detecting anomalies, enforcing access controls, or ensuring the integrity of critical systems. Security must operate continuously, consistently, and across all endpoints and systems, which human behavior alone cannot guarantee.
Effective security requires a combination of technical controls, monitoring, and automation to complement employee training and policy guidance. Technologies such as endpoint protection, multifactor authentication, data loss prevention, network monitoring, and access control systems provide proactive enforcement of security policies. These tools ensure that policies are applied consistently, detect deviations in real time, and can automatically respond to potential threats. By integrating human awareness with automated controls, organizations create a layered, defense-in-depth approach that reduces reliance on individual behavior while maintaining operational efficiency.
Trusting employees to follow security policies is insufficient because human behavior is unpredictable, mistakes are inevitable, and even well-trained personnel may bypass controls. Relying solely on user compliance cannot prevent sophisticated attacks or enforce continuous security. A robust approach combines technical enforcement, automated monitoring, and employee training, ensuring that security policies are consistently applied and that the organization is protected against both human error and advanced cyber threats. This layered strategy balances human factors with technical safeguards, providing reliable and scalable security.
Disabling access to sensitive applications prevents risk but is impractical. Access to applications is necessary for productivity, collaboration, and operational workflows. Blocking access disrupts operations and may lead to unsafe alternatives, such as using unmonitored devices or shadow IT services.
Implementing Zero Trust Network Access with continuous verification and device assessment provides the most effective protection. ZTNA enforces the principle of least privilege, allowing access only to verified users and devices. Continuous verification assesses user identity, device compliance, location, and behavior to dynamically allow, restrict, or revoke access. Integration with endpoint management, identity providers, and monitoring systems enables real-time enforcement, alerting, and logging. This layered approach balances security and usability, providing secure access to applications while continuously mitigating risk. ZTNA with continuous verification and device assessment is proactive, enforceable, and scalable, ensuring sensitive resources are protected without hindering operational efficiency.
The reasoning demonstrates that ZTNA with continuous verification and device assessment provides comprehensive, proactive protection. Unrestricted access, reliance on employee vigilance, or disabling applications either exposes sensitive resources or disrupts workflow.
Question 180
A company wants to protect sensitive data stored in databases from unauthorized access and manipulation. Which solution provides the most effective protection while maintaining usability?
A) Allowing all users full database access
B) Implementing database encryption, access controls, auditing, and activity monitoring
C) Trusting database administrators to manage access manually
D) Disabling databases entirely
Answer: B)
Explanation:
Databases store structured data critical for business operations, compliance, and analytics. Allowing all users full database access is extremely risky. Any user could read, modify, or delete sensitive information, potentially causing breaches, financial loss, or regulatory non-compliance. Lack of enforcement, monitoring, and logging makes accountability impossible and exposes the organization to internal and external threats.
Relying solely on database administrators to manually manage access is an insufficient strategy for ensuring database security. While experienced administrators bring expertise and knowledge of organizational policies, human oversight is inherently prone to error. Even skilled personnel can misconfigure permissions, unintentionally grant excessive privileges, or fail to notice unusual or suspicious activity within the database. Human error can lead to over-permissioned accounts, unmonitored changes, or overlooked anomalies, which attackers can exploit to gain unauthorized access, manipulate data, or exfiltrate sensitive information. Manual management also lacks scalability, particularly in large or dynamic environments where databases are constantly being updated, expanded, or integrated with new applications. As the volume of users, roles, and access requests grows, it becomes increasingly difficult for administrators to consistently enforce policies, monitor activity, and detect subtle, sophisticated attacks in real time. This reliance on manual processes introduces significant security gaps and delays the identification and remediation of potential threats.
On the other hand, disabling databases entirely to eliminate access risks is highly impractical and counterproductive. Databases are central to modern business operations, providing storage and management for application data, reporting, analytics, and decision-making processes. Organizations rely on databases to support operational workflows, customer interactions, financial reporting, and business intelligence. Blocking access to databases would halt critical operations, reduce productivity, and disrupt services that employees and external users depend on. Additionally, removing access does not necessarily eliminate risk; employees and teams may seek alternative, unmonitored methods to access or store data, such as personal spreadsheets or cloud services, introducing further security vulnerabilities and compliance challenges. The operational disruption caused by completely disabling databases far outweighs any theoretical security benefit.
The optimal approach balances operational needs with robust security controls. Automated access management systems, role-based access controls, and least-privilege principles can ensure that users have the appropriate permissions for their tasks while minimizing the risk of unauthorized activity. Continuous monitoring, auditing, and alerting provide visibility into database activity, enabling organizations to detect unusual behavior, enforce policies, and respond promptly to potential threats. Privileged access management (PAM) solutions allow temporary, controlled elevation of permissions, reducing the risk associated with standing high-level access. These technical measures reduce the reliance on manual human oversight while maintaining operational efficiency.
Trusting database administrators to manage access manually is unreliable due to human error, oversight, and scalability limitations. Disabling databases entirely is impractical, as databases are essential for applications, reporting, decision-making, and business operations. A combination of automated access controls, monitoring, auditing, and privileged access management provides a more effective strategy, ensuring security while maintaining operational continuity and productivity.
Implementing database encryption, access controls, auditing, and activity monitoring provides the most effective protection. Encryption ensures that sensitive data is unreadable without proper authorization, protecting against unauthorized access even if storage is compromised. Access controls enforce the principle of least privilege, allowing users and applications to access only the data necessary for their roles. Auditing captures who accessed or modified data, when, and from which source, supporting compliance, forensics, and accountability. Activity monitoring detects anomalous behavior such as unusual queries, privilege escalations, or data exfiltration attempts. Integration with database management, SIEM, and security monitoring systems enables real-time alerts, automated responses, and centralized oversight. This layered approach balances security and usability, allowing authorized access while protecting sensitive data. Database encryption, access controls, auditing, and activity monitoring are proactive, enforceable, and scalable, providing robust security without disrupting business operations.
The reasoning demonstrates that database encryption, access controls, auditing, and activity monitoring provide comprehensive, proactive protection. Unrestricted access, reliance on manual oversight, or disabling databases either exposes sensitive data or disrupts functionality.