CompTIA CAS-005 CompTIA SecurityX Exam Dumps and Practice Test Questions Set 6 Q76-90
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Question 76
A company wants to enforce strong authentication for privileged accounts to reduce the risk of credential compromise. Which solution provides the strongest protection?
A) Using passwords only
B) Implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA with hardware tokens or biometrics
C) Trusting users to create complex passwords
D) Allowing password reuse across multiple accounts
Answer: B)
Explanation:
Privileged accounts, such as system administrators or database managers, have elevated access and control over critical systems and sensitive data. Securing these accounts is essential to prevent unauthorized access, insider threats, and compromise of critical infrastructure. Using passwords only provides minimal protection. Even complex passwords can be stolen, guessed, or phished. Credential theft, keylogging, or brute-force attacks can quickly compromise privileged accounts if only a single factor is required. Password-only authentication does not address stolen or reused credentials, making it insufficient to protect highly sensitive accounts.
Trusting users to create complex passwords is unreliable. Human behavior varies widely, and users may create predictable patterns, reuse passwords across systems, or write them down. Even with policies enforcing complexity requirements, enforcement and compliance are inconsistent. Reliance solely on user diligence does not prevent unauthorized access if credentials are exposed or compromised.
Allowing password reuse across multiple accounts is dangerous. If one account is compromised, attackers can use the same credentials to access other systems, particularly high-privilege environments. This practice dramatically increases the risk of lateral movement, data exfiltration, and system compromise, making it an unacceptable security practice.
Implementing multi-factor authentication with hardware tokens or biometrics provides the strongest protection. MFA requires users to present additional factors beyond passwords, such as a physical token generating a time-based code, a biometric verification (fingerprint, facial recognition), or an authentication app. Even if the password is stolen or guessed, attackers cannot access the account without the additional factor. Hardware tokens provide strong physical security and cannot be easily duplicated, while biometrics tie authentication to the individual, preventing unauthorized use. MFA significantly reduces the risk of compromise from phishing, credential stuffing, or keylogging attacks. For privileged accounts, this approach enforces strong, verifiable identity, supporting accountability, traceability, and regulatory compliance. Logging and monitoring can integrate with MFA to detect suspicious access attempts, enforce conditional policies, and enable rapid response in case of unusual activity. The combination of MFA and strong account management provides a proactive, layered defense that secures high-value accounts against modern attack techniques while maintaining operational usability.
The reasoning demonstrates that MFA with hardware tokens or biometrics provides a highly reliable and enforceable method to secure privileged accounts. Password-only approaches, reliance on user diligence, or password reuse are insufficient to protect against sophisticated attacks targeting critical credentials.
Question 77
A company wants to secure its wireless network to prevent unauthorized access. Which solution provides the most effective security while supporting mobility?
A) Using WPA2 or WPA3 with strong passphrases and enterprise authentication
B) Leaving the network open for easy access
C) Trusting employees to only connect authorized devices
D) Disabling encryption to improve throughput
Answer: A)
Explanation:
Wireless networks are inherently more vulnerable than wired networks due to the broadcast nature of radio communications. Securing wireless networks is critical to prevent unauthorized access, eavesdropping, and network abuse. Leaving the network open for easy access exposes all traffic to interception and unauthorized use. Attackers can connect without restriction, monitor communications, and potentially pivot to other parts of the network, making open networks a severe security risk.
Trusting employees to only connect authorized devices is unreliable. Even well-intentioned employees may inadvertently connect personal or unmanaged devices that lack security controls. Attackers can exploit compromised or rogue devices, bypassing organizational policies, which makes this approach inconsistent and insufficient for network protection.
Disabling encryption to improve throughput eliminates a fundamental security control. While encryption can introduce minimal performance overhead, the protection it provides against interception, data theft, and unauthorized access far outweighs any performance benefits. Unencrypted wireless traffic is easily intercepted, exposing credentials, sensitive information, and network activity.
Using WPA2 or WPA3 with strong passphrases and enterprise authentication provides the most effective solution. WPA2 and WPA3 offer robust encryption protocols (AES-based) that protect wireless traffic confidentiality and integrity. Enterprise authentication, such as IEEE 802.1X with RADIUS, enforces user-level authentication, ensuring that only authorized users can connect. Dynamic session keys, certificate-based authentication, and regular key rotation further enhance security. WPA3 introduces improvements such as forward secrecy, protection against brute-force attacks, and simplified secure onboarding for IoT devices. Strong passphrases prevent brute-force attempts and unauthorized access. Integration with network monitoring tools allows administrators to detect rogue devices, unauthorized connections, and unusual traffic patterns. This approach balances security and usability, supporting mobility while maintaining robust protection against attacks, including eavesdropping, man-in-the-middle attacks, and unauthorized access.
The reasoning demonstrates that WPA2 or WPA3 with enterprise authentication provides a proactive, enforceable, and scalable wireless security solution. Open networks, reliance on user judgment, or disabled encryption introduce significant risk and compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of wireless communications.
Question 78
A company wants to ensure sensitive data stored in databases is protected from unauthorized access. Which solution provides the most comprehensive protection?
A) Allowing all users unrestricted database access
B) Implementing role-based access control (RBAC), encryption at rest, and auditing
C) Trusting employees to follow database security policies
D) Disabling logging to improve performance
Answer: B)
Explanation:
Database security is critical because databases often store sensitive personal, financial, or intellectual property data. Allowing all users unrestricted access creates a high risk. Any compromised account or insider could access sensitive information, modify data, or disrupt operations. This practice violates the principle of least privilege and introduces severe compliance and operational risks.
Trusting employees to follow database security policies is unreliable. Even well-trained employees may make mistakes, misuse privileges, or ignore policies. Human behavior is inconsistent and cannot guarantee protection without enforceable technical controls. Policies alone are insufficient to protect against unauthorized access, accidental exposure, or insider threats.
Disabling logging to improve performance removes critical visibility. Without logs, administrators cannot detect unauthorized access, investigate incidents, or meet regulatory compliance requirements. While it may slightly improve performance, it compromises security, accountability, and auditability, increasing organizational risk.
Implementing role-based access control, encryption at rest, and auditing provides the most comprehensive protection. RBAC enforces the principle of least privilege by restricting access to users based on job roles and responsibilities. Sensitive data is encrypted at rest using strong cryptographic algorithms, ensuring that unauthorized users or attackers cannot read the data even if they gain direct access to storage media. Auditing records all access attempts, changes, and administrative actions, providing accountability and supporting forensic investigation. Alerts can be configured for unusual access patterns, enabling proactive detection of potential breaches or misuse. Integration with security monitoring and identity management systems ensures continuous enforcement, compliance reporting, and rapid incident response. This layered approach mitigates the risk of unauthorized access, protects confidentiality, and enforces accountability while allowing legitimate users to perform their required functions efficiently.
The reasoning demonstrates that combining RBAC, encryption, and auditing provides robust, proactive, and enforceable database security. Unrestricted access, reliance on trust, or disabled logging expose critical data to compromise, whereas layered technical controls ensure confidentiality, integrity, and regulatory compliance.
Question 79
A company wants to prevent malware infection from USB devices while maintaining user productivity. Which solution provides the most effective mitigation?
A) Allowing all USB devices without restrictions
B) Implementing endpoint security with device control, content scanning, and policy enforcement
C) Trusting users not to connect unauthorized devices
D) Disabling antivirus scanning on endpoints
Answer: B)
Explanation:
USB devices are a common vector for malware introduction and data exfiltration. Allowing all USB devices without restrictions exposes endpoints to malware, ransomware, and accidental data leakage. Users may inadvertently connect infected drives, install malware, or transfer sensitive data to unmonitored devices, making unrestricted USB access a significant security risk.
Trusting users not to connect unauthorized devices is unreliable. Human error, negligence, or intentional misuse cannot be consistently prevented. Even trained users may make mistakes or bypass rules, leaving endpoints vulnerable. Policy reliance without enforcement is insufficient in protecting against modern threats.
Disabling antivirus scanning removes a critical layer of protection. Malware introduced via USB may execute undetected, compromising endpoints and spreading across the network. Performance gains from disabling scanning do not outweigh the risk of infection, data loss, and operational disruption.
Implementing endpoint security with device control, content scanning, and policy enforcement provides the most effective mitigation. Device control restricts which USB devices can connect to endpoints based on type, vendor ID, or authorization. Content scanning inspects files on USB devices for malware, sensitive data, or policy violations. Policy enforcement can block or quarantine unauthorized devices, enforce encryption, and alert administrators to attempts to bypass controls. Integration with endpoint protection and monitoring provides visibility into data movement, malware attempts, and potential policy violations. This layered approach prevents malware introduction while allowing users to work efficiently with authorized devices, balancing productivity and security. Periodic updates to device policies, signatures, and monitoring rules ensure continued protection against emerging threats and support compliance requirements.
The reasoning demonstrates that endpoint security with device control, scanning, and enforcement provides proactive, enforceable, and scalable protection. Unrestricted access, reliance on user behavior, or disabled antivirus software introduces significant security gaps and operational risks, whereas layered controls reduce malware risk while supporting business operations.
Question 80
A company wants to prevent unauthorized software installation on employee workstations. Which solution provides the strongest protection without impacting productivity?
A) Allowing users to install any application they choose
B) Implementing application whitelisting with least privilege enforcement
C) Relying solely on an antivirus to detect malicious software
D) Disabling endpoint controls for convenience
Answer: B)
Explanation:
Controlling application installation is critical to prevent malware, ransomware, and unauthorized software that can compromise endpoints and networks. Allowing users to install any application exposes systems to high risk. Users may inadvertently or intentionally install malicious software, introducing vulnerabilities and undermining organizational security. This approach maximizes the attack surface and violates security best practices.
Relying solely on antivirus software is reactive and insufficient. Antivirus detects known malware but cannot prevent the execution of zero-day threats, fileless malware, or unrecognized software. Malware or unauthorized applications can bypass signature-based detection, compromising endpoints and data.
Disabling endpoint controls removes protections and exposes workstations to compromise. Convenience is gained at the expense of security, enabling users or attackers to install software unchecked, potentially introducing malware, creating configuration drift, and increasing risk to critical assets.
Implementing application whitelisting with least privilege enforcement provides the strongest protection. Whitelisting defines approved applications and prevents execution of unapproved software. Least privilege ensures users cannot install or modify applications beyond their roles. Together, these controls reduce malware risk, prevent unauthorized changes, and enforce compliance. Updates to whitelists can be centrally managed, allowing approved software to be added while maintaining security. Logging and alerting provide visibility into attempted execution of unauthorized applications, supporting incident response. This layered approach protects endpoints proactively while allowing legitimate work processes to continue efficiently.
The reasoning demonstrates that application whitelisting with least privilege is proactive, enforceable, and scalable. Allowing unrestricted installations, relying solely on antivirus software, or disabling controls introduces significant risk. Controlled execution ensures security without impeding productivity.
Question 81
A company wants to prevent phishing attacks from compromising employee credentials. Which solution provides the most effective protection?
A) Relying solely on employee awareness training
B) Implementing email security gateways with anti-phishing, link scanning, and attachment sandboxing
C) Trusting employees not to click suspicious links
D) Disabling email scanning to improve performance
Answer: B)
Explanation:
Phishing attacks are a major vector for credential theft, malware delivery, and unauthorized access. Relying solely on employee awareness training is insufficient because human behavior is inconsistent, and even well-trained users may click a convincing phishing link, fall for social engineering, or unknowingly disclose credentials. Awareness training is necessary for reinforcing security culture, but cannot replace technical controls. It is a reactive layer and often fails to prevent sophisticated or targeted attacks, particularly spear-phishing campaigns that exploit trust or insider knowledge.
Trusting employees not to click suspicious links is unreliable. Users may ignore policies, misinterpret warnings, or become victims of cleverly disguised phishing campaigns. Relying solely on judgment introduces variability, leaving significant gaps in protection. Employees may inadvertently expose credentials, confidential data, or systems to compromise without malicious intent.
Disabling email scanning to improve performance removes a critical defensive layer. Modern email attacks rely on automated campaigns, obfuscation, and malicious attachments that cannot be reliably detected by humans alone. Disabling scanning allows malicious content to reach inboxes, increasing the likelihood of infection or credential compromise. The marginal performance gain is outweighed by the heightened risk of attacks and downstream operational disruptions.
Implementing email security gateways with anti-phishing, link scanning, and attachment sandboxing provides the most effective protection. Email security gateways inspect incoming messages for malicious content, suspicious links, and known phishing patterns. Link scanning redirects users to a safe environment before allowing access, blocking malicious URLs, and preventing credential theft. Attachment sandboxing executes files in an isolated environment to detect malware or malicious behavior before delivery. Advanced threat intelligence feeds and machine learning algorithms enhance the detection of novel and evolving threats. Integration with user awareness programs allows real-time feedback when phishing attempts are blocked, reinforcing safe behavior. Alerts and logs provide visibility into attempted attacks and support incident response. This layered approach combines automated detection, proactive blocking, and monitoring, reducing the likelihood of phishing success while maintaining email usability. It mitigates risks associated with human error and ensures protection against both known and unknown threats without significantly impacting employee productivity.
The reasoning shows that email security gateways provide proactive, enforceable, and scalable protection. Awareness training, user trust, or disabling scanning alone cannot reliably prevent phishing attacks, whereas automated scanning, link analysis, and sandboxing reduce exposure while maintaining operational efficiency.
Question 82
A company wants to secure web applications against common attacks such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting. Which solution provides the most effective protection?
A) Allowing all user input without validation
B) Implementing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with input validation and secure coding practices
C) Trusting developers to avoid introducing vulnerabilities
D) Disabling application security scanning to improve performance
Answer: B)
Explanation:
Web applications are a frequent target for attacks due to the exposure of input fields, user authentication, and data processing functionalities. Allowing all user input without validation is extremely dangerous. Attackers can inject malicious SQL commands, scripts, or payloads to compromise databases, steal sensitive data, or execute arbitrary code. This exposes applications to injection attacks, cross-site scripting (XSS), and other web-based exploits, leading to breaches, reputational damage, and regulatory violations.
Trusting developers to avoid introducing vulnerabilities is unreliable. Even experienced developers can make mistakes or overlook subtle security flaws. Human error is a leading cause of vulnerabilities in web applications. Relying solely on trust or awareness does not ensure consistent mitigation of common attack vectors or compliance with secure coding standards.
Disabling application security scanning removes visibility into potential vulnerabilities and compromises. Without scanning, untested code may contain critical weaknesses that attackers can exploit. Performance gains do not justify leaving applications unmonitored and vulnerable to attacks that can compromise entire systems and data stores.
Implementing a Web Application Firewall with input validation and secure coding practices provides the most effective protection. A WAF monitors and filters HTTP/HTTPS traffic, detecting and blocking malicious requests before they reach the application. It protects against SQL injection, XSS, cross-site request forgery (CSRF), and other attack types. Input validation ensures that only properly formatted and expected data is accepted by the application, reducing the attack surface and preventing malicious injection. Secure coding practices, including parameterized queries, escaping output, and proper session management, reduce inherent vulnerabilities in the application code. Integration with threat intelligence feeds allows the WAF to recognize emerging attack patterns and automatically update protections. Logging and alerting support monitoring, forensic analysis, and compliance reporting. Together, these measures form a layered defense, ensuring web applications remain secure against both known and unknown attack vectors while allowing legitimate user interactions without disruption. This approach is proactive, enforceable, and scalable across multiple applications and environments.
The reasoning demonstrates that combining WAF, input validation, and secure coding practices creates robust, layered web application security. Allowing unrestricted input, relying solely on developer awareness, or disabling security scanning introduces significant risk, whereas the integrated approach protects applications, users, and data from common attacks.
Question 83
A company wants to ensure endpoint compliance with security policies while minimizing administrative effort. Which solution provides the most effective approach?
A) Manually auditing endpoints periodically
B) Using automated endpoint compliance tools integrated with centralized management
C) Trusting users to maintain compliance
D) Disabling endpoint monitoring to improve performance
Answer: B)
Explanation:
Ensuring endpoint compliance is essential to prevent vulnerabilities, enforce security policies, and support regulatory requirements. Manually auditing endpoints periodically is time-consuming, inconsistent, and prone to error. With numerous devices and frequent configuration changes, manual audits cannot reliably ensure compliance, and gaps may go unnoticed for extended periods. This reactive approach does not scale and often results in delayed remediation, leaving endpoints exposed to threats.
Trusting users to maintain compliance is unreliable. Employees may ignore security policies, fail to apply updates, or introduce non-compliant software or configurations. Human error is unpredictable, and relying solely on users does not provide enforceable control, accountability, or auditability.
Disabling endpoint monitoring removes visibility and control over devices. Without monitoring, administrators cannot detect deviations, enforce policies, or respond to non-compliance. While performance may improve slightly, the security risk and regulatory exposure increase significantly.
Using automated endpoint compliance tools integrated with centralized management provides the most effective approach. These tools continuously monitor endpoints for configuration compliance, patch status, antivirus and firewall activity, and policy adherence. Automated remediation can enforce configurations, apply updates, or quarantine non-compliant devices, ensuring consistent enforcement. Centralized dashboards provide administrators with visibility into endpoint status, compliance trends, and exceptions, supporting proactive management. Alerts enable rapid response to policy violations or security incidents. Integration with identity and access management ensures that only compliant devices gain access to network resources. By automating monitoring, reporting, and remediation, organizations reduce administrative effort, enforce consistent security standards, and minimize gaps that attackers could exploit. This layered approach balances security, compliance, and operational efficiency, allowing IT teams to scale enforcement across large environments while maintaining effective control.
The reasoning highlights that automated endpoint compliance tools with centralized management provide a proactive, enforceable, and scalable solution. Manual audits, reliance on user diligence, or disabled monitoring fail to consistently maintain endpoint security and compliance, leaving critical systems vulnerable.
Question 84
A company wants to prevent insider threats from exfiltrating sensitive information through cloud services. Which solution provides the most comprehensive protection?
A) Allowing unrestricted cloud file sharing
B) Implementing Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) with Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
C) Trusting employees not to misuse data
D) Disabling cloud services to prevent risk
Answer: B)
Explanation:
Insider threats represent a significant risk to cloud environments, particularly when sensitive information can be shared, downloaded, or uploaded without oversight. Allowing unrestricted cloud file sharing exposes the organization to data leaks, accidental exposure, and intentional exfiltration. Employees may bypass security policies, share sensitive files externally, or use unsanctioned applications, increasing risk.
Trusting employees not to misuse data is inconsistent and unreliable. Even well-trained staff may make mistakes, ignore policies, or act maliciously. Reliance on trust cannot provide enforceable controls or audit trails for sensitive data, leaving security gaps.
Disabling cloud services entirely prevents data leaks but severely impacts productivity and collaboration. Modern organizations rely on cloud applications for file sharing, collaboration, and remote work. Blocking access entirely can lead to shadow IT, where employees adopt unsanctioned solutions that bypass corporate controls, potentially increasing risk rather than reducing it.
Implementing a Cloud Access Security Broker with Data Loss Prevention provides the most comprehensive protection. CASB solutions offer visibility into cloud usage, detect unsanctioned applications, and enforce security policies. Integration with DLP enables content inspection, classification, and prevention of unauthorized sharing or downloading of sensitive data. Policies can block, encrypt, or quarantine files based on classification and user role. CASB solutions provide monitoring, logging, and reporting for compliance and incident response. Conditional access controls can restrict cloud access based on user, device, location, or risk profile. Automated alerts notify administrators of policy violations, anomalous behavior, or potential exfiltration attempts. By combining policy enforcement, monitoring, and data classification, CASB with DLP mitigates insider threats while allowing legitimate business activities. This layered, proactive approach reduces risk, ensures compliance, and supports operational continuity without significantly disrupting workflows.
The reasoning demonstrates that CASB with DLP provides proactive, scalable, and enforceable protection against insider threats in cloud environments. Unrestricted sharing, trust in employee behavior, or disabling cloud services either leave data exposed or reduce productivity, whereas the integrated approach ensures secure collaboration.
Question 85
A company wants to prevent ransomware from encrypting critical files. Which solution provides the most effective protection while ensuring business continuity?
A) Relying solely on antivirus software
B) Implementing layered defenses, including regular offline backups, endpoint detection and response (EDR), and access controls
C) Trusting employees not to open suspicious files
D) Disabling backups to save storage
Answer: B)
Explanation:
Ransomware poses a significant threat by encrypting critical files, disrupting operations, and demanding ransom payments. Relying solely on antivirus software is insufficient because modern ransomware frequently uses zero-day exploits, fileless execution, or polymorphic malware to evade signature-based detection. Antivirus is reactive, detecting only known threats, and cannot ensure business continuity if encryption occurs.
Trusting employees not to open suspicious files is unreliable. Even cautious employees may fall victim to well-crafted phishing emails, malicious downloads, or compromised websites. Human error alone cannot mitigate ransomware risk, and reliance on trust does not provide proactive protection or recovery capabilities.
Disabling backups to save storage removes the essential safety net for recovery. Without backups, ransomware infections may result in permanent data loss or force payment of ransom, creating significant operational, financial, and reputational impact. Avoiding backups is a high-risk approach incompatible with business continuity requirements.
Implementing layered defenses with regular offline backups, endpoint detection and response, and access controls provides the most effective protection. Offline backups ensure critical data can be restored even if ransomware encrypts primary systems. EDR solutions monitor endpoints for suspicious behavior, detect ransomware activity, and enable rapid containment, such as isolating infected devices or terminating malicious processes. Access controls enforce the principle of least privilege, limiting user permissions to prevent lateral movement or mass encryption. Additional measures, such as network segmentation, patch management, and security awareness training, further strengthen resilience. Automated monitoring, alerting, and incident response enable rapid detection and mitigation, reducing downtime and data loss. This comprehensive, proactive, and layered approach ensures both prevention and recovery capabilities, maintaining business continuity while minimizing risk from ransomware.
The reasoning highlights that combining offline backups, EDR, and access controls provides a proactive, enforceable, and resilient defense against ransomware. Antivirus alone, user trust, or disabled backups are insufficient, leaving critical systems vulnerable to attacks that disrupt operations.
Question 86
A company wants to prevent unauthorized remote access to internal systems. Which solution provides the strongest protection without disrupting legitimate connectivity?
A) Allowing VPN access from any device without authentication
B) Implementing VPN with multi-factor authentication (MFA) and device compliance checks
C) Trusting employees not to share credentials
D) Disabling remote access entirely
Answer: B)
Explanation:
Remote access is a critical requirement for modern business operations, but it introduces substantial security risk if unmanaged. Allowing VPN access from any device without authentication is extremely dangerous. Unrestricted access exposes internal systems to attackers who can use stolen credentials, compromised devices, or brute-force attacks to gain access. Without authentication or verification, sensitive resources are vulnerable to unauthorized manipulation, data exfiltration, or system compromise. This approach prioritizes convenience but severely compromises security, making it unsuitable for enterprise environments.
Trusting employees not to share credentials is unreliable. Even well-trained staff may inadvertently or intentionally disclose passwords, use weak authentication practices, or be socially engineered. Reliance solely on employee behavior does not guarantee protection and fails to provide enforceable controls. Credential sharing, combined with unverified devices, increases the risk of unauthorized access and potential breaches.
Disabling remote access entirely enhances security but disrupts legitimate business operations. Modern enterprises rely on remote access for productivity, collaboration, and continuity. Blocking all connections forces employees to find alternative, potentially less secure means of accessing resources, such as shadow IT or personal cloud solutions, which can introduce new risks rather than reduce them.
Implementing VPN with multi-factor authentication and device compliance checks provides the strongest protection. MFA ensures that even if credentials are compromised, unauthorized access is prevented without the secondary factor, such as hardware tokens, OTPs, or biometric verification. Device compliance checks validate that the connecting endpoint meets security requirements, including up-to-date patches, encryption, and endpoint protection. VPN encryption secures data in transit against eavesdropping or man-in-the-middle attacks. Conditional access policies can block access from untrusted devices or suspicious locations, enforcing least privilege and reducing attack surfaces. Centralized monitoring provides real-time visibility into connection attempts and anomalous activity, supporting proactive incident response. This layered approach balances security and operational efficiency, allowing legitimate users to connect safely while significantly reducing the likelihood of compromise.
The reasoning demonstrates that combining VPN, MFA, and device compliance provides proactive, enforceable, and scalable protection against unauthorized remote access. Unrestricted access, reliance on user behavior, or disabling access either exposes systems to risk or impedes legitimate operations.
Question 87
A company wants to protect sensitive data stored in cloud storage from unauthorized access. Which solution provides the most comprehensive protection?
A) Allowing open access to all employees
B) Implementing encryption at rest and in transit with strict access controls and auditing
C) Trusting employees to follow security policies
D) Disabling encryption to reduce latency
Answer: B)
Explanation:
Cloud storage security is essential to prevent data breaches, comply with regulations, and maintain confidentiality. Allowing open access to all employees creates a high-risk environment. Unauthorized or compromised accounts can access, modify, or delete sensitive data. Without enforced controls, malicious insiders or external attackers can exploit unrestricted access, resulting in data exfiltration, loss, or compliance violations.
Trusting employees to follow security policies is inconsistent. Human error, negligence, or intentional misuse cannot be reliably prevented. While training reinforces security practices, it cannot enforce technical restrictions. Reliance solely on employee behavior leaves critical data vulnerable to mistakes or deliberate compromise.
Disabling encryption to reduce latency removes a crucial layer of protection. Unencrypted data is vulnerable to interception, unauthorized access, and compromise, particularly in cloud environments where data is transmitted across public networks and stored on shared infrastructure. While performance may improve slightly, the risk introduced far outweighs the benefits.
Implementing encryption at rest and in transit with strict access controls and auditing provides the most comprehensive protection. Encryption at rest ensures stored data is unreadable without proper keys, preventing exposure in case of compromised storage or unauthorized access. Encryption in transit protects data as it moves between endpoints, mitigating risks from interception or man-in-the-middle attacks. Access controls enforce the principle of least privilege, granting only authorized users and processes the ability to read, modify, or share data. Role-based access, conditional policies, and identity verification strengthen security further. Auditing records access attempts, changes, and administrative actions, enabling accountability, compliance reporting, and forensic analysis in case of incidents. Integration with cloud security monitoring allows detection of anomalous behavior or unauthorized access attempts. This layered approach ensures confidentiality, integrity, and regulatory compliance while maintaining operational usability and efficiency. By combining encryption, access control, and auditing, organizations protect sensitive data against both internal and external threats.
The reasoning demonstrates that encryption, access controls, and auditing create a layered, enforceable, and scalable solution for cloud data security. Open access, reliance on human behavior, or disabling encryption introduces significant risk and fails to meet regulatory or operational requirements.
Question 88
A company wants to prevent malware propagation across its internal network. Which solution provides the most effective protection without disrupting normal operations?
A) Allowing unrestricted network traffic
B) Implementing network segmentation, endpoint protection, and intrusion detection systems (IDS)
C) Trusting employees not to spread malware
D) Disabling firewalls to simplify connectivity
Answer: B)
Explanation:
Malware can spread quickly within an internal network, compromising endpoints, servers, and critical systems. Allowing unrestricted network traffic is extremely dangerous. Once malware enters a network, it can propagate freely, exploiting vulnerable hosts, open ports, or shared drives. Unrestricted traffic maximizes the attack surface, increasing the likelihood of widespread infection and operational disruption.
Trusting employees not to spread malware is unreliable. Even well-trained users may inadvertently introduce malware through email attachments, USB devices, or downloading infected files. Relying solely on human behavior does not provide enforceable security and leaves significant exposure to threats.
Disabling firewalls to simplify connectivity removes a critical layer of defense. Firewalls enforce traffic rules, block unauthorized communication, and segment networks. Without them, malware can traverse freely, infect multiple systems, and access sensitive data. Simplified connectivity comes at the cost of exposing endpoints and servers to significant risk.
Implementing network segmentation, endpoint protection, and intrusion detection systems provides the most effective protection. Network segmentation isolates critical systems and limits malware movement between segments, reducing potential impact. Endpoint protection detects and blocks malware on devices, providing immediate mitigation. Intrusion detection systems monitor network traffic for anomalies, malicious signatures, and behavioral patterns indicative of malware propagation. Alerts enable rapid response to contain outbreaks and investigate incidents. Together, these measures form a layered defense: segmentation reduces spread, endpoint protection prevents infection, and IDS provides detection and response capabilities. Policies and access controls enforce least privilege, limiting unnecessary connections. Regular updates, threat intelligence integration, and monitoring ensure the environment adapts to evolving threats. This strategy maintains normal operations while reducing the risk of widespread malware infection.
The reasoning demonstrates that network segmentation, endpoint protection, and IDS create a proactive, enforceable, and scalable defense against malware propagation. Unrestricted traffic, reliance on user behavior, or disabled firewalls expose the organization to significant operational and security risks.
Question 89
A company wants to ensure secure software updates on all endpoints to prevent exploitation of vulnerabilities. Which solution provides the most effective approach?
A) Allowing users to manually download and install updates
B) Implementing automated patch management with centralized monitoring
C) Trusting users to apply updates on time
D) Disabling updates to avoid compatibility issues
Answer: B)
Explanation:
Software vulnerabilities are a major vector for cyberattacks. Exploits targeting unpatched systems can lead to ransomware, malware infections, or unauthorized access. Allowing users to manually download and install updates is unreliable. Users may neglect updates, install them inconsistently, or delay critical patches, leaving endpoints vulnerable. This approach cannot guarantee consistent coverage across an enterprise and lacks auditing and reporting capabilities.
Trusting users to apply updates on time is insufficient. Human behavior is inconsistent, and even well-trained employees may postpone updates due to perceived inconvenience, workload, or misunderstanding. Reliance solely on user compliance leaves critical systems exposed to known vulnerabilities and attack campaigns.
Disabling software updates to prevent compatibility issues is a risky practice because updates often include critical security patches that fix known vulnerabilities. When updates are avoided, software remains outdated and exposed, providing attackers with opportunities to exploit flaws for unauthorized access, data theft, or system compromise. While skipping updates may temporarily prevent compatibility problems or reduce downtime, it significantly increases the organization’s attack surface and overall security risk. Regularly applying updates ensures that systems are protected against the latest threats, reducing the likelihood of breaches and maintaining operational integrity.
Implementing automated patch management with centralized monitoring provides the most effective approach. Automated systems ensure updates are applied consistently across all endpoints, including operating systems, applications, and security software. Centralized monitoring provides visibility into patch status, compliance levels, and update failures, enabling rapid remediation. Policies can enforce patch scheduling, prioritization of critical updates, and rollback mechanisms for failed installations. Integration with vulnerability management systems allows alignment of updates with discovered risks. Logging and auditing provide accountability, compliance reporting, and incident response capabilities. Automated patching reduces administrative burden, ensures timely protection, and maintains operational continuity while minimizing the risk of exploitation due to unpatched vulnerabilities. This layered and proactive approach addresses both security and operational efficiency requirements, ensuring enterprise endpoints remain up to date and resilient against threats.
The reasoning demonstrates that automated patch management with centralized monitoring provides a proactive, enforceable, and scalable method for securing endpoints. Manual updates, user reliance, or disabling updates introduce significant risk and fail to ensure consistent protection against known vulnerabilities.
Question 90
A company wants to reduce the risk of data breaches through compromised credentials. Which solution provides the strongest protection?
A) Allowing single-factor authentication with complex passwords
B) Implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) with adaptive risk policies
C) Trusting users to safeguard credentials
D) Disabling account lockouts to prevent user inconvenience
Answer: B)
Explanation:
Compromised credentials are a leading cause of data breaches. Single-factor authentication with complex passwords is insufficient. Even strong passwords can be stolen through phishing, brute-force attacks, credential stuffing, or malware. Passwords alone do not protect against unauthorized access if compromised.
Relying solely on users to safeguard credentials is an inherently unreliable security approach because human behavior is inconsistent and prone to error. Even the most diligent and security-aware employees can fall victim to social engineering schemes, phishing emails, or inadvertent credential disclosure. For example, attackers often craft convincing phishing campaigns designed to trick users into revealing passwords or other authentication information. Mistakes such as using the same password across multiple systems, writing passwords down, or inadvertently sharing login credentials in unsecured channels further increase exposure. While users play an important role in maintaining security, placing the entire burden of credential protection on them does not provide enforceable safeguards. Human behavior cannot be controlled or monitored consistently, meaning that relying exclusively on user responsibility leaves gaps that attackers can exploit. Effective credential security requires technical controls, such as multifactor authentication, automated monitoring, and privileged access management, to provide proactive protection that does not depend solely on individual judgment.
Disabling account lockouts to improve user convenience further weakens security by creating a significant vulnerability to brute-force attacks. Account lockouts are designed to limit repeated failed login attempts, which can indicate an attacker attempting to guess a password. When lockouts are disabled, an attacker can repeatedly try different password combinations without being blocked or flagged, greatly increasing the likelihood of successfully compromising an account. This approach may reduce user frustration caused by accidental lockouts, but it does so at the cost of exposing accounts to persistent and automated attacks. Without this control, even strong passwords can be undermined through repeated guessing, and the organization loses a critical mechanism for detecting suspicious activity.
Together, these two practices—trusting users entirely for credential protection and disabling account lockouts—create a highly vulnerable security posture. Human error and intentional attacks can compromise accounts, while the absence of automated defenses allows attackers to exploit weaknesses without restriction. Security must balance usability with enforceable controls, ensuring that credentials are protected through technical mechanisms that mitigate human risk, detect anomalies, and prevent unauthorized access. Only by combining user awareness with robust system-enforced protections can organizations maintain both secure and practical credential management.
Implementing multi-factor authentication with adaptive risk policies provides the strongest protection. MFA requires additional factors beyond passwords, such as OTPs, push notifications, biometrics, or hardware tokens. Even if credentials are compromised, unauthorized access is prevented without the second factor. Adaptive risk policies evaluate contextual information such as device, location, behavior patterns, and network characteristics to dynamically adjust authentication requirements. High-risk situations trigger additional verification, while low-risk access maintains usability. This approach reduces the attack surface, prevents credential misuse, and supports operational efficiency. Integration with logging, monitoring, and identity management enables rapid detection and response to anomalous activity, strengthening overall security posture.
The reasoning demonstrates that MFA with adaptive risk policies provides proactive, enforceable, and scalable protection against compromised credentials. Password-only approaches, reliance on user vigilance, or disabling account lockouts introduce significant risk and fail to provide sufficient protection for modern enterprise environments.