SY0-701 Exam Dumps - CompTIA Security+ Exam 2026

The chmod command is used to change file permissions on Unix and Linux systems. If the /etc/shadow file has permissions beyond the baseline recommendation, the systems administrator should use chmod to modify the file ' s permissions, ensuring it adheres to the security baseline and limits access to authorized users only.

References = CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 study materials, focusing on system hardening and file permissions management​​.

Chain of custody is the process of documenting and preserving the integrity of evidence collected during an incident response. It involves recording the details of each person who handled the evidence, the time and date of each transfer, and the location where the evidence was stored. Chain of custody ensures that the evidence is admissible in legal proceedings and can be traced back to its source. E-discovery, legal hold, and preservation are related concepts, but they do not ensure evidence is properly handled. References: CompTIA Security+ Study Guide: Exam SY0-701, 9th Edition, page 487; NIST SP 800-61: 3.2. Evidence Gathering and Handling

The log entries show repeated attempts to access directories using patterns such as ../, which is a common directory traversal attack technique. Directory traversal (or path traversal) aims to access files and directories outside the web server ' s root directory by manipulating file paths. The ../ sequence is used to move up one directory level, which attackers exploit to try and retrieve sensitive files.

A tabletop exercise is the most effective way to quickly assess a cybersecurity team’s readiness to respond to a threat scenario. CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 describes tabletop exercises as discussion-based simulations where incident response team members walk through a realistic scenario to evaluate procedures, decision-making, communication, and coordination. These exercises are specifically designed to be conducted in a short timeframe while still providing meaningful insight into preparedness.

Executing a tabletop exercise allows management to observe how the team identifies threats, escalates incidents, assigns roles, and follows the incident response plan. Documenting performance results helps formalize findings, identify gaps, and improve playbooks and procedures without the complexity of a live incident or full-scale simulation.

Option A is informal and does not test real-time decision-making. Option B focuses on vulnerability discovery, not response readiness. Option D can be effective but is time-consuming and not suited for rapid assessment.

Therefore, C: Execute a tabletop exercise and document the performance results is the correct answer.

The best answer is D. WAF.

A WAF (Web Application Firewall) is designed to inspect and filter malicious HTTP and HTTPS traffic aimed at a web application. If a site is receiving a large number of malicious requests that are causing performance problems, a WAF is the best control among these options because it can detect and block harmful web requests before they impact the application.

This can help mitigate attacks such as:

malicious web requests

application-layer abuse

some denial-of-service style request floods

common web exploits

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. IPSecIPSec secures network-layer communications, not malicious web request filtering.

B. TLSTLS encrypts data in transit, but it does not stop malicious requests.

C. SDNSoftware-defined networking helps manage network architecture, but it is not the most direct preventive control for malicious web traffic.

From a Security+ standpoint, malicious requests against a web application are best mitigated by a WAF, so D is correct.

 A user provisioning script is an automation technique that uses a predefined set of instructions or commands to create, modify, or delete user accounts and assign appropriate access or permissions. A user provisioning script can help to streamline account creation by reducing manual errors, ensuring consistency and compliance, and saving time and resources12.

The other options are not automation techniques that can streamline account creation:

Guard rail script: This is a script that monitors and enforces the security policies and rules on a system or a network. A guard rail script can help to prevent unauthorized or malicious actions, such as changing security settings, accessing restricted resources, or installing unwanted software3.

Ticketing workflow: This is a process that tracks and manages the requests, issues, or incidents that are reported by users or customers. A ticketing workflow can help to improve the communication, collaboration, and resolution of problems, but it does not automate the account creation process4.

Escalation script: This is a script that triggers an alert or a notification when a certain condition or threshold is met or exceeded. An escalation script can help to inform the relevant parties or authorities of a critical situation, such as a security breach, a performance degradation, or a service outage.

References = 1: CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 Certification Study Guide, page 1022: User Provisioning – CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 – 5.1, video by Professor Messer3: CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 Certification Study Guide, page 1034: CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 Certification Study Guide, page 104. : CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 Certification Study Guide, page 105.

Shadow IT is the term used to describe the use of unauthorized or unapproved IT resources within an organization. The marketing department set up its own project management software without telling the appropriate departments, such as IT, security, or compliance. This could pose a risk to the organization’s security posture, data integrity, and regulatory compliance1.