The question states that security scanning and quality assurance (QA) in the CI/CD pipeline have been completed with no issues, indicating that the code in the test branch is ready for production. According to the CompTIA SecurityX CAS-005 study guide (Domain 2: Security Operations, 2.3), in a secure CI/CD pipeline, once code passes automated security scans, QA, and other checks (e.g., unit testing, peer reviews), the next step is to merge the tested branch into the main branch for deployment to production.
Option B:Threat modeling is typically performed earlier, during design or development, not after passing CI/CD checks.
Option C:Unit testing is part of the CI/CD pipeline and should already be completed.
Option D:Peer reviews are conducted before or during the test phase, not after QAand security scans are clear.
Option A:Merging the test branch to the main branch is the logical next step to prepare for production deployment.
Reference:
CompTIA SecurityX CAS-005 Official Study Guide, Domain 2: Security Operations, Section 2.3: "Manage secure software development lifecycles, including CI/CD pipelines." CAS-005 Exam Objectives, 2.3: "Analyze secure deployment processes in CI/CD environments."

The code function provided in the question seems tobe designed to parse JSON formatted logs to check for an alarm state. Option A is a JSON format that matches the structure likely expected by the code. The presence of the "error_log" and "InAlarmState" keys suggests that this is the correct input format.

Advancements in quantum computing pose a significant threat to current encryption systems, especially those based on the difficulty of factoring large prime numbers, such as RSA. Quantum computers have the potential to solve these problems exponentially faster than classical computers, making current cryptographic systems vulnerable.
Why Large Prime Numbers are Vulnerable:
Shor's Algorithm: Quantum computers can use Shor's algorithm to factorize large integers efficiently, which undermines the security of RSA encryption.
Cryptographic Breakthrough: The ability to quickly factor large prime numbers means that encrypted data, which relies on the hardness of thismathematical problem, can be decrypted.
Other options, while relevant, do not capture the primary reason for the shift towards new encryption algorithms:
B . Zero Trust security architectures: While important, the shift to homomorphic encryption is not the main driver for new encryption algorithms.
C . Perfect forward secrecy: It enhances security but is not the main reason for new encryption algorithms.
D . Real-time IP traffic capture: Quantum computers pose a more significant threat to the underlying cryptographic algorithms than to the real-time capture of traffic.
Reference:
CompTIA SecurityX Study Guide
NIST Special Publication 800-208, "Recommendation for Stateful Hash-Based Signature Schemes"
"Quantum Computing and Cryptography," MIT Technology Review

Comprehensive and Detailed
The attacker gained domain control by collecting the KRBTGT hash (used for Kerberos tickets). Let's evaluate:
A . Deleting SQLSV:Irrelevant since pass-the-hash failed there.
B . Reimaging ADMIN01S:Addresses the compromised host but not domain control.
C . Rotating KRBTGT password:Invalidates stolen Kerberos tickets, mitigating domain control per CAS-005's focus on identity security.

To reduce the number of failed patch deployments, the systems administrator should implement a robust change management process. Change management ensures that all modifications to systems or applications are planned, tested, and approved before deployment. This systematic approach reduces the risk of unplanned changes that can cause patch failures and ensures that patches are deployed in a controlled and predictable manner.
Reference:
CompTIA SecurityX Study Guide: Emphasizes the importance of change management in maintaining system integrity and ensuring successful patch deployments.
ITIL (InformationTechnology Infrastructure Library) Framework: Provides best practices for change management in IT services.
"The Phoenix Project" by Gene Kim, Kevin Behr, and George Spafford: Discusses the critical role of change management in IT operations and its impact on system stability and reliability.