A technician identifies a vulnerability on a server and applies a software patch. Which of the following should be the next step in the remediation process?
A technician identifies a vulnerability on a server and applies a software patch. Which of the following should be the next step in the remediation process?
After identifying a vulnerability on a server and applying a software patch, the next step in the remediation process should be testing. Testing ensures that the patch has been applied correctly, addresses the vulnerability effectively, and does not introduce any new issues or system disruptions. Once testing confirms that the patch works as expected, further steps such as validation may follow to ensure comprehensive verification.
Validation involves verifying if the applied patch has effectively resolved the vulnerability and has not caused any unintended disruptions to the server's functionality.
The answer should be A. Quote from CompTIA's official guideline: "Before deploying any remediation activity, you should thoroughly test your planned fixes in a sandbox environment. This allows you to identify any unforeseen side effects of the fix and reduces the likelihood that remediation activities will disrupt business operations or cause damage to your organization’s information assets. After deploying a fix by patching or hardening the affected system(s), you should take steps to verify that the mitigation was effective. This typically involves repeating the vulnerability scan that initially identified the vulnerability and confirming that the issue does not appear in the new scan results." So according to this, you apply the patch first. The next step is TESTING the patch. AFTER testing you VERIFY if the patch was effective.
What you posted literally says test the patch in a sandbox first. "Before deploying any remediation activity, you should thoroughly test your planned fixes in a sandbox environment". Yes, you always test first, but the question is asking whats next AFTER you applied the patch. That is validating that the patch didn't break anything and it solved the problem.
As per the question " identifies a vulnerability on a server and applies a software patch." So you have already installed the patch, now you need to 'Validate' it is working.
The answer is A. Validation is often used interchangeably with testing, but in this context, it implies a final confirmation after implementation, not a step immediately following patch application.
This is just another shit Comptia Q&A - you can argue that testing is validating. "Can you test if this is correct" vs "Can you validate if this is correct" you be a very pedantic person to pick those two apart.
We always test patches in a sandbox environment before applying them. After the patch is applied, we do validation (validate that there are no issues with that device and anything it interfaces with). "C" is my answer.
This step involves verifying that the patch installation was successful and that the vulnerability has been effectively mitigated. It may include testing the server to ensure that the patch did not introduce any unintended consequences or disruptions to system functionality. Once validation confirms that the patch has been applied correctly and the vulnerability has been addressed, the server can be considered secure. If validation reveals any issues or unexpected outcomes, further action such as rollback or additional remediation steps may be necessary.
100% Agree!
Certmaster topic 1C: the answer here is definitely A.
Ans: should be A, After applying a software patch to address a vulnerability on a server, the next step in the remediation process should be Testing. Testing is crucial to ensure that the patch has been successfully implemented without causing any unforeseen issues or disruptions. This step involves verifying that the vulnerability has been effectively addressed and that the system functions as intended after the patch is applied.Testing helps in confirming that the remediation efforts have been successful and that the server is secure against the identified vulnerability.
What you are describing is part of the validation process.
after applying a software patch, the technician should validate that the patch has fixed the vulnerability and has not caused any adverse effects on the system. Validation can include checking logs, running tests, or scanning for vulnerabilities again. Testing is usually done before applying a patch, not after. Implementation is the process of applying the patch, which has already been done. Rollback is the process of undoing the patch, which is only done if the patch fails or causes problems.
From what I could find online, you test the patch before you apply it, and after you apply it, you validate it. I choose option C. Validation.
Validation should be done before installation of patch,this could be in a non-production environment,once patch is installed in a production environment,it would be tested to know if it fixed the vulnerability.
The next step in the remediation process after applying a software patch should be C. Validation.
Additionally, testing should validate that issues addressed by the software patch work as expected—for example, a patch successfully removes a vulnerability.
Vulnerability lifecycle: Detection, Remediation, Testing.
Validation: you still need to validate if the patch has been successfully implemented on the machine. Testing happens during the phase of searching and applying the patch
Scan-Patch-Scan methodology, C could be scanning system again after applying the patch to verify the vulnerability has been remediated.
ChatGPT says Testing and I agree , HOWEVER the answer is actually validation according to CompTia
You should always test a patch prior to applying it on a live system when possible.
don't trust ChatGPT
Gemini says Testing Claude.AI says validation ChatGPT3.5 says validation
After applying the patch, it's essential to test the system thoroughly to ensure that the patch was successfully implemented and that it did not introduce any new issues or conflicts with existing software or configurations. Testing helps in validating the effectiveness of the patch and ensures that the system remains stable and secure after the remediation process. Once testing confirms that the patch works as intended, the organization can proceed with the validation of the patch and then consider the remediation process complete.
I agree but the question clearly states that the patch has already been applied. The patch, is applied once the test has been performed. If it has already been applied, the next step would be validation and if the validation is not correct, rollback.