DS0-001 CompTIA DataSys+ Certification Exam Question and Answers

The correct answer is A. Creating views to support repeat queries. CompTIA DataSys+ emphasizes that views are an effective way to improve performance, usability, and consistency when users frequently run complex queries against live production tables. A view is a virtual table based on a predefined SQL query that presents data in a simplified and reusable format without physically storing the data.

When analysts run complex queries directly against live tables, it can increase CPU usage, I/O operations, and locking contention, potentially impacting other users and critical workloads. By creating views, the database administrator can encapsulate complex joins, filters, and aggregations into a single logical object. Analysts can then query the view instead of repeatedly executing expensive SQL statements. This reduces query complexity, improves readability, and can lead to more predictable performance. DataSys+ highlights views as a best practice for supporting reporting and analytical workloads while minimizing disruption to transactional systems.

Option B, removing data redundancy, is related to normalization and data integrity, not query performance optimization for analysts. Option C, modifying the data in the table, risks data integrity issues and does not address performance concerns. Option D, deleting records from the table, may reduce table size but is not an appropriate or safe method for improving user query performance and can result in data loss.

CompTIA DataSys+ also notes that views can enhance security by limiting analysts’ access to only the required columns or rows, further protecting live data. In some implementations, indexed or materialized views can offer additional performance benefits for repeated queries.

Therefore, the best solution to improve analyst performance when running complex, repeat queries on live tables is creating views to support repeat queries, making option A the correct and fully verified answer.

The most likely cause of the issue is that the SQL Server ports to the main machine are closed. SQL Server uses TCP/IP ports to communicate with clients and other servers. If these ports are blocked by a firewall or other network device, the connection will fail. The administrator should check the port configuration on both the server and the user’s workstation, and make sure that they are open and match the expected values. The other options are either unlikely or unrelated to the issue. For example, the SQL Server codes performing badly or having many concurrent users may affect the performance or availability of the server, but not prevent the connection entirely; the SQL Server not being tested properly may cause errors or bugs in the functionality or security of the server, but not affect the connection unless there is a configuration problem. References: CompTIA DataSys+ Course Outline, Domain 2.0 Database Deployment, Objective 2.3 Given a scenario, troubleshoot common database deployment issues.

The statement that contains an error is option B. This statement is missing the FROM clause, which specifies the table or tables from which to retrieve data. The FROM clause is a mandatory clause in a SELECT statement, unless the statement uses a subquery or a set operator. The correct syntax for option B would be:

SELECT EmpId FROM employee WHERE EmpId=90030 AND DeptId=34

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The other options are either correct or valid SQL statements. For example, option A selects the employee ID from the employee table where the employee ID is equal to 90030; option C selects all columns from the employee table where the employee ID is equal to 90030; option D selects the employee ID from the employee table without any filter condition. References: CompTIA DataSys+ Course Outline, Domain 1.0 Database Fundamentals, Objective 1.2 Given a scenario, execute database tasks using scripting and programming languages.

The correct answer is D. Password hash salting. According to CompTIA DataSys+ objectives, rainbow table attacks specifically target hashed passwords by using precomputed hash values to quickly reverse weak or unsalted hashes back into their original plaintext passwords. If an attacker successfully used a rainbow table, it strongly indicates that the database stored password hashes without proper salting or used weak hashing algorithms.

Password salting is a defensive technique where a unique random value (the salt) is added to each password before hashing. This ensures that even if two users have the same password, their resulting hashes are different. More importantly, salting renders rainbow tables ineffective because the attacker would need to generate a separate rainbow table for every possible salt value, which is computationally impractical. DataSys+ highlights salting as a critical immediate control to protect stored credentials once a password compromise is identified.

Option C, strong passwords, is a preventative control but not the best immediate response. Even strong passwords can be compromised if hashes are unsalted and exposed. Option A, security and awareness training, addresses user behavior but does not mitigate the technical weakness exploited in this attack. Option B, implementing security policies and procedures, is important for long-term governance but does not directly stop rainbow table attacks against existing password hashes.

CompTIA DataSys+ emphasizes that when credential storage mechanisms are compromised, administrators must prioritize cryptographic protections at the database level. This includes salting, using strong hashing algorithms, and forcing credential resets. Among the options provided, password hash salting is the most direct and effective response to prevent the same attack vector from succeeding again.

Therefore, the best immediate response is D. Password hash salting, making it the verified and correct answer aligned with CompTIA DataSys+ guidance.

The backup plan that best describes the logs is weekly full, daily incremental. This means that a full backup of the entire database is performed once a week, and then only the changes made since the last backup are backed up every day. This can be inferred from the logs by looking at the size and duration of the backups. The full backups are larger and take longer than the incremental backups, and they occur every seven days. The other backup plans do not match the pattern of the logs. References: CompTIA DataSys+ Course Outline, Domain 5.0 Business Continuity, Objective 5.2 Given a scenario, implement backup and restoration of database management systems.

The practice that best describes this request is access control. Access control is a process that regulates who can access what data in a system based on predefined rules or policies. Access control helps protect data from unauthorized or inappropriate access or modification by granting or denying permissions or privileges to users or groups based on their roles or identities. By applying access control, the database administrator can assign a user the ability to view a data set without allowing them to change or delete it. The other options are either different practices or not related to this request. For example, security audit is a process that evaluates the security level of a system by identifying vulnerabilities or risks; database audit is a process that monitors and records the activities or events that occur on a database; password policy implementation is a process that defines and enforces rules or standards for creating and managing passwords. References: CompTIA DataSys+ Course Outline, Domain 4.0 Data and Database Security, Objective 4.2 Given a scenario, implement security controls for databases.

The option that the administrator should implement to ensure high availability of the database is replication. Replication is a process that copies and synchronizes data from one database server (the primary or source) to one or more database servers (the secondary or target). Replication helps ensure high availability of the database by providing redundancy, fault tolerance, and load balancing. If the primary server fails, the secondary server can take over and continue to serve the data without interruption or data loss. The other options are either not related or not suitable for this purpose. For example, ETL is a process that extracts, transforms, and loads data from one source to another for analysis or reporting purposes; database dumping is a process that exports the entire content of a database to a file for backup or migration purposes; backup and restore is a process that copies and recovers data from a backup device or media in case of a disaster or corruption. References: CompTIA DataSys+ Course Outline, Domain 5.0 Business Continuity, Objective 5.3 Given a scenario, implement replication of database management systems.

The first thing that the database administrator should examine to troubleshoot the issue is the event log. The event log is a file that records the events and activities that occur on a system, such as database backups, errors, warnings, or failures. By examining the event log, the administrator can identify the cause and time of the backup failure, and also check for any other issues or anomalies that may affect the backup process or the backup quality. The other options are either not relevant or not the first priority for this task. For example, CPU usage, disk space, and OS performance may affect the performance or availability of the system, but not necessarily cause the backup failure; moreover, these factors can be checked after reviewing the event log for more information. References: CompTIA DataSys+ Course Outline, Domain 5.0 Business Continuity, Objective 5.2 Given a scenario, implement backup and restoration of database management systems.

The type of RAID that would provide the best write performance if configured with the same number and type of disks is RAID 10. RAID 10, or RAID 1+0, is a type of RAID that combines mirroring and striping techniques to provide both redundancy and performance. Mirroring means that data is duplicated across two or more disks to provide fault tolerance and data protection. Striping means that data is split into blocks and distributed across two or more disks to provide faster access and throughput. RAID 10 requires at least four disks and can tolerate the failure of up to half of the disks without losing data. RAID 10 provides the best write performance among the RAID types because it can write data in parallel to multiple disks without parity calculations or overhead. The other options are either different types of RAID or not related to RAID at all. For example, RAID 3 is a type of RAID that uses striping with a dedicated parity disk to provide redundancy and performance; RAID 5 is a type of RAID that uses striping with distributed parity to provide redundancy and performance; RAID 6 is a type of RAID that uses striping with double distributed parity to provide extra redundancy and performance. References: CompTIA DataSys+ Course Outline, Domain 3.0 Database Management and Maintenance, Objective 3.1 Given a scenario, perform common database maintenance tasks.

The best option for the database administrator to use to update an organization’s ERD is a UML tool. A UML tool is a software application that allows users to create, edit, and visualize diagrams using the Unified Modeling Language (UML). UML is a standard language for modeling software systems and their components, such as classes, objects, relationships, behaviors, etc. UML can also be used to create entity relationship diagrams (ERDs), which are graphical representations of the entities (tables), attributes (columns), and relationships (constraints) in a database. A UML tool can help the administrator to update an organization’s ERD by providing features such as drag-and-drop, templates, symbols, validation, etc. The other options are either not suitable or not optimal for this task. For example, a word processor is a software application that allows users to create and edit text documents; a spreadsheet is a software application that allows users to organize and manipulate data in rows and columns; an HTML editor is a software application that allows users to create and edit web pages using HyperText Markup Language (HTML). References: CompTIA DataSys+ Course Outline, Domain 2.0 Database Deployment, Objective 2.2 Given a scenario, create database objects using scripting and programming languages.

The most likely way to prevent this issue is to use service accounts. Service accounts are special accounts that are used by applications or services to perform tasks or run jobs on behalf of users. Service accounts have limited permissions and access rights that are tailored to their specific functions. By using service accounts, the DBA can ensure that scheduled jobs can run independently of individual user accounts, and avoid failures due to account removal or changes. The other options are either not related or not effective for this issue. For example, load balancing is a technique that distributes the workload across multiple servers or resources to improve performance and availability; business continuity plan is a plan that outlines how an organization will continue its operations in the event of a disaster or disruption; assigning a data steward is a process that designates a person who is responsible for ensuring the quality and governance of data. References: CompTIA DataSys+ Course Outline, Domain 3.0 Database Management and Maintenance, Objective 3.3 Given a scenario, migrate data between databases.

The advantage of creating indexes is to provide quick and efficient access to data. An index is a data structure that stores the values of one or more columns of a table in a sorted order, along with pointers to the corresponding rows in the table. An index helps to speed up queries that search, filter, sort, or join data based on the indexed columns, as it reduces the number of disk accesses or scans required to locate the desired data. An index also helps to enforce uniqueness or referential integrity constraints on the indexed columns. The other options are either not true or not relevant for this purpose. For example, an index does not help with space allocation, as it consumes additional space in the database; an index does not reduce memory, as it may use memory for caching or buffering purposes; an index does not update the query plan, as it is an input or a factor for the query optimizer to generate the query plan. References: CompTIA DataSys+ Course Outline, Domain 1.0 Database Fundamentals, Objective 1.2 Given a scenario, execute database tasks using scripting and programming languages.

The correct answer is C. Index optimization. CompTIA DataSys+ identifies index management and optimization as a critical database maintenance activity that can be CPU-intensive but significantly improves query performance and information retrieval. Index optimization involves reorganizing, rebuilding, or analyzing database indexes to ensure they are structured efficiently and aligned with query usage patterns.

Indexes act as data access paths that allow the database engine to locate rows quickly without scanning entire tables. Over time, as data is inserted, updated, or deleted, indexes can become fragmented, inefficient, or poorly aligned with current workloads. Index optimization processes use CPU resources to analyze index statistics, rebalance tree structures, and rebuild index pages. While these operations temporarily consume CPU cycles, they result in faster query execution, reduced I/O operations, and improved overall system performance.

Option A, database compression, can reduce storage usage and I/O, but it primarily trades CPU for disk savings and does not directly optimize query access paths. Option B, patch management, involves applying software updates and security fixes and does not improve data retrieval performance. Option D, data corruption checks, are integrity and validation operations designed to detect or prevent data loss, not to enhance query performance.

CompTIA DataSys+ emphasizes that performance tuning often involves deliberate resource trade-offs. Index optimization is a prime example: it consumes CPU during maintenance windows to deliver long-term performance benefits during normal database operations. Well-optimized indexes reduce query latency, improve response times, and enhance user experience, especially in read-heavy or reporting environments.

DataSys+ also highlights best practices such as scheduling index maintenance during low-usage periods and monitoring CPU impact to avoid service disruptions. When implemented correctly, index optimization is one of the most effective ways to improve database performance and information retrieval.

Therefore, the CPU-intensive operation that improves database performance and information retrieval is index optimization, making option C the correct and fully verified answer.

The correct answer is A. DDL statement. CompTIA DataSys+ clearly classifies the TRUNCATE statement as a Data Definition Language (DDL) operation because it affects the structure and allocation of database objects rather than manipulating individual rows in a transactional manner.

TRUNCATE is used to quickly remove all rows from a table while preserving the table structure itself. Unlike DELETE, which is a Data Manipulation Language (DML) statement that removes rows one by one and can be rolled back in many database systems, TRUNCATE operates by deallocating data pages. This makes it significantly faster and more efficient for clearing large tables, but also more destructive in nature. DataSys+ emphasizes that DDL operations are typically auto-committed, meaning they cannot be rolled back once executed in most implementations.

Option D, DML, is incorrect because DML statements (such as SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE) work at the row level and are designed for routine data manipulation within existing structures. TRUNCATE does not qualify because it bypasses row-level logging and transactional controls. Option B, DCL (Data Control Language), is used for permission and access management (e.g., GRANT, REVOKE) and has no role in data removal. Option C, MCL, is not a recognized SQL command category and is therefore invalid.

CompTIA DataSys+ materials stress the importance of understanding SQL command categories, particularly the risks associated with DDL statements. Because TRUNCATE is fast, non-transactional, and irreversible in most cases, it should be used cautiously and typically only by administrators. Its classification as DDL is essential knowledge for exam objectives related to database operations, data safety, and change management.

Therefore, the correct and verified classification of TRUNCATE is DDL, making option A the correct answer.

The option that is used to write SQL queries in various programming languages is object-relational mapping. Object-relational mapping (ORM) is a technique that maps objects in an object-oriented programming language (such as Java, Python, C#, etc.) to tables in a relational database (such as Oracle, MySQL, SQL Server, etc.). ORM allows users to write SQL queries in their preferred programming language without having to deal with the differences or complexities between the two paradigms. ORM also provides users with various benefits such as code reuse, abstraction, validation, etc. The other options are either not related or not effective for this purpose. For example, indexing is a technique that creates data structures that store the values of one or more columns of a table in a sorted order to speed up queries; Excel is a software application that allows users to organize and manipulate data in rows and columns; normalization is a process that organizes data into tables and columns to reduce redundancy and improve consistency. References: CompTIA DataSys+ Course Outline, Domain 1.0 Database Fundamentals, Objective 1.2 Given a scenario, execute database tasks using scripting and programming languages.

The index that stores records in a tabular format is columnstore. A columnstore index is a type of index that stores and compresses data by columns rather than by rows. A columnstore index can improve the performance and efficiency of queries that perform aggregations, calculations, or analysis on large amounts of data, such as data warehouse or business intelligence applications. A columnstore index can also reduce the storage space required for data by applying various compression techniques, such as dictionary encoding, run-length encoding, bit packing, etc. The other options are either different types of indexes or not related to indexes at all. For example, a non-clustered index is a type of index that stores the values of one or more columns in a sorted order along with pointers to the corresponding rows in the table; a unique index is a type of index that enforces uniqueness on one or more columns in a table; a secondary index is an alternative term for a non-clustered index. References: CompTIA DataSys+ Course Outline, Domain 3.0 Database Management and Maintenance, Objective 3.1 Given a scenario, perform common database maintenance tasks.

The characteristic of all non-relational databases is unstructured data. Unstructured data is data that does not have a predefined or fixed format, schema, or structure. Unstructured data can include various types of data, such as text, images, audio, video, etc. Non-relational databases, also known as NoSQL databases, are databases that store and manage unstructured data using different models, such as key-value, document, graph, columnar, etc. Non-relational databases are suitable for handling large volumes, variety, and velocity of data that do not fit well in the relational model. The other options are either characteristics of relational databases or not related to database types at all. For example, columns with the same data type, logical record groupings, and tabular schema are characteristics of relational databases, which are databases that store and manage structured data using tables, rows, columns, and constraints. References: CompTIA DataSys+ Course Outline, Domain 1.0 Database Fundamentals, Objective 1.1 Given a scenario, identify common database types.

The best way to migrate a large data load from one table to another, considering total time and blocking, is to batch into small loads and run in parallel. This means that the large data load is divided into smaller chunks that can be processed simultaneously by multiple threads or processes. This reduces the total time required for the migration and also minimizes the blocking of other operations on the tables involved. The other options are either less efficient or more prone to blocking. For example, splitting the load size into many transactions may increase the overhead and latency of each transaction; splitting the load size in half and running simultaneously may still cause blocking or contention; batching large loads into one transaction may take longer and lock the tables for longer periods. References: CompTIA DataSys+ Course Outline, Domain 3.0 Database Management and Maintenance, Objective 3.3 Given a scenario, migrate data between databases.

The correct answer is B. Rights and privileges. CompTIA DataSys+ clearly distinguishes between different categories of security controls, and access to shared resources such as folders is governed primarily by authorization mechanisms, specifically rights and privileges. In this scenario, access is restricted so that only authorized users can view or modify the shared folder, which directly reflects the enforcement of permissions.

Rights and privileges define what actions an authenticated user is allowed to perform on a system or resource. For shared folders, this typically includes read, write, modify, or full control permissions assigned to users or groups. DataSys+ emphasizes the principle of least privilege, which ensures users are granted only the minimum level of access required to perform their job functions. Applying appropriate rights and privileges protects sensitive data from unauthorized access and accidental modification.

Option A, password policies, control how passwords are created and managed, such as complexity, expiration, and reuse rules. While password policies help verify a user’s identity during authentication, they do not determine which resources a user can access after logging in. Option C, service accounts, are specialized non-human accounts used by applications or services and are unrelated to user access to shared folders. Option D, firewall policy, controls network-level traffic and determines which connections are allowed or blocked between systems, not access to files or folders once a connection is established.

CompTIA DataSys+ materials emphasize that security is layered, with authentication confirming identity and authorization enforcing access. In this case, users are already authenticated, and the restriction applies at the resource level. That makes rights and privileges the relevant control.

Therefore, the policy applied to ensure only authorized users can access the shared folder is rights and privileges, making option B the correct and fully verified answer.

The approach that the administrator should use when conducting the stress test is to capture business logic, check the performance of codes, and report findings. This will help the administrator to evaluate how well the application handles high volumes of data and transactions, identify any bottlenecks or errors in the code, and provide feedback to the development team on how to improve the application’s efficiency and reliability. The other options are either too narrow or too broad in scope, and do not address the specific needs of an application that uses the Entity Framework. References: CompTIA DataSys+ Course Outline, Domain 4.0 Data and Database Security, Objective 4.3 Given a scenario, monitor database performance and security.

The database administrator should mask the sensitive data before giving the developers access to the environment. Data masking is a technique that replaces sensitive data with fictitious but realistic data, such as random numbers or characters, to protect it from unauthorized access or exposure. Data masking preserves the format and structure of the original data, but does not reveal its actual value. This allows developers to work with realistic data without compromising its confidentiality or compliance. The other options are either insufficient or excessive for this scenario. For example, auditing access to tables with sensitive data may help monitor and track who accesses the data, but does not prevent it from being seen; removing sensitive data from tables may compromise the quality or completeness of the data, and may not be feasible if there is a large amount of data; encrypting connections to the development environment may protect the data in transit, but not at rest or in use. References: CompTIA DataSys+ Course Outline, Domain 4.0 Data and Database Security, Objective 4.2 Given a scenario, implement security controls for databases.

The attack in which an attacker hopes to profit from locking the database software is ransomware. Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts the data or files on a system or network and demands a ransom from the victim to restore them. Ransomware can target database software and lock its access or functionality until the victim pays the ransom, usually in cryptocurrency. Ransomware can cause serious damage and loss to the victim, as well as expose them to further risks or threats. Ransomware can be delivered through various methods, such as phishing emails, malicious attachments, compromised websites, etc. The other options are either different types of attacks or not related to locking database software at all. For example, spear phishing is a type of phishing attack that targets a specific individual or organization with personalized or customized emails; SQL injection is a type of attack that inserts malicious SQL statements into an input field or parameter of a web application to manipulate or compromise the underlying database; on-path is a type of attack that intercepts and modifies the data in transit between two parties on a network. References: CompTIA DataSys+ Course Outline, Domain 4.0 Data and Database Security, Objective 4.4 Given a scenario, identify common types of attacks against databases

The first task that the administrator should perform is to create a new service account exclusively for the business intelligence application. This will ensure that the application has the appropriate permissions and credentials to access the company’s transactional data. The other options are either unnecessary, inefficient, or insecure. For example, building a separate data warehouse would require additional resources and time, setting up a nightly FTP data transfer would expose the data to potential breaches, sending the TNS names file would not guarantee that the application can connect to the database, and opening a new port on the database server would create a vulnerability for attackers. References: CompTIA DataSys+ Course Outline, Domain 2.0 Database Deployment, Objective 2.1 Given a scenario, install and configure database software and tools.

The two factors that the database administrator should monitor to gauge server health are CPU usage and memory usage. CPU usage is the percentage of time that the processor (CPU) of the server is busy executing instructions or processes. CPU usage indicates how much workload the server can handle and how fast it can process requests. High CPU usage may affect the performance or availability of the server and cause delays or errors. Memory usage is the amount of physical memory (RAM) or virtual memory (swap space) that the server uses to store data or run applications. Memory usage indicates how much space the server has to store temporary or intermediate data or results. High memory usage may affect the performance or availability of the server and cause swapping or paging. The other options are either not relevant or not direct indicators of server health. For example, transaction logs are files that record the changes made by transactions on the database; network sniffer is a tool that captures and analyzes network traffic; domain controllers are servers that manage user authentication and authorization in a network; firewall traffic is the amount of data that passes through a firewall device or software. References: CompTIA DataSys+ Course Outline, Domain 3.0 Database Management and Maintenance, Objective 3.2 Given a scenario, monitor database performance.

A scenario in which a database administrator would use a relational database rather than a non-relational database is when an organization wants to maintain consistency among the data in the database. A relational database is a type of database that organizes data into tables with predefined columns and rows, and enforces rules and constraints to ensure data integrity and accuracy. A relational database also supports transactions, which are sets of operations that must be executed as a whole or not at all, to prevent data corruption or inconsistency. The other options are either not exclusive to relational databases or not relevant to the choice of database type. For example, data encryption can be applied to both relational and non-relational databases, processing complex data sets may require specialized tools or techniques that are not dependent on the database type, and storing a large number of videos, photos, and documents may be better suited for a non-relational database that can handle unstructured or semi-structured data. References: CompTIA DataSys+ Course Outline, Domain 1.0 Database Fundamentals, Objective 1.1 Given a scenario, identify and apply database structure types.

The best way for the administrator to accomplish this task is to create a materialized view. A materialized view is a type of view that stores the result of a query on one or more tables as a separate table in the database. A materialized view can aggregate data from multiple tables in a way that does not impact the original tables, and then provide this information to a department as a single source of truth. A materialized view also improves query performance and efficiency by reducing the need to recompute complex queries every time they are executed. The other options are either not suitable or not optimal for this task. For example, creating indexes on those tables may improve query performance on individual tables, but not on aggregated data; creating a new database may require additional resources and maintenance, and may introduce inconsistency or redundancy; creating a function may require additional coding and execution, and may not store the result as a separate table. References: CompTIA DataSys+ Course Outline, Domain 2.0 Database Deployment, Objective 2.2 Given a scenario, create database objects using scripting and programming languages.

The best suited database engine for this task is MongoDB. MongoDB is a type of non-relational database that stores data as documents in JSON-like format. MongoDB allows administrators to perform quick and simple queries on unstructured data, such as text, images, videos, or social media posts, without requiring a predefined schema or complex joins. MongoDB also supports cloud-based deployment, scalability, and high availability. The other options are either relational databases that require a fixed schema and structure for data, or specialized databases that are designed for specific purposes, such as graph databases for storing and analyzing network data. References: CompTIA DataSys+ Course Outline, Domain 1.0 Database Fundamentals, Objective 1.1 Given a scenario, identify and apply database structure types.

The correct order of the steps in the database deployment process is option C. This order follows the best practices for deploying a database system, which are:

Confirm prerequisites: Check the system requirements and compatibility of the database software and tools before installation.

Install: Install the database software and tools on the target server or platform.

Configure: Configure the database settings and parameters according to the specifications and needs of the application or organization.

Connect: Connect the database to the network and other systems or applications that will access it.

Test: Test the functionality and performance of the database system and verify that it meets the expectations and requirements.

Validate: Validate the data quality and integrity of the database system and ensure that it complies with the standards and regulations.

Release: Release the database system to production and make it available for use by end-users or customers. The other options do not follow this order and may result in errors, inefficiencies, or security issues. References: CompTIA DataSys+ Course Outline, Domain 2.0 Database Deployment, Objective 2.1 Given a scenario, install and configure database software and tools.

The correct answer is C. 3NF (Third Normal Form). According to CompTIA DataSys+, Third Normal Form is widely regarded as the most preferable and practical level of normalization for relational database design in real-world environments. It strikes an optimal balance between reducing data redundancy, maintaining data integrity, and preserving query performance.

To understand why 3NF is preferred, it is important to consider the progression of normalization. First Normal Form (1NF) ensures that tables contain atomic values and no repeating groups. Second Normal Form (2NF) builds on this by eliminating partial dependencies, ensuring that non-key attributes depend on the entire primary key. While these forms improve structure, they do not fully address all redundancy issues.

Third Normal Form (3NF) goes further by removing transitive dependencies, meaning that non-key attributes depend only on the primary key and not on other non-key attributes. This significantly reduces duplication of data and prevents common anomalies during INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE operations. CompTIA DataSys+ emphasizes that eliminating transitive dependencies is critical for maintaining long-term data consistency and integrity.

Although Fourth Normal Form (4NF) and higher normal forms exist, DataSys+ notes that they are typically applied only in specialized cases involving complex multi-valued dependencies. Over-normalization beyond 3NF can increase schema complexity, require excessive joins, and negatively impact performance without providing proportional benefits in most transactional systems.

As a result, 3NF is considered the industry-standard target for relational database design. It provides a clean, maintainable schema that supports scalability, reduces redundancy, and aligns well with performance expectations. CompTIA DataSys+ highlights 3NF as the most commonly implemented and recommended normalization level for operational databases.

Therefore, the most preferable normal form for relational database design is 3NF, making option C the correct and fully verified answer.

The correct answer is A. Implement a virtual private network (VPN). CompTIA DataSys+ emphasizes secure remote access as a critical requirement for modern database environments, especially when users need to connect from untrusted networks such as home internet connections. A VPN provides a secure, encrypted tunnel between the user’s device and the organization’s internal network, allowing remote users to access database resources as if they were physically on-site.

By using strong encryption and authentication mechanisms, a VPN ensures that data transmitted over public networks cannot be intercepted, read, or altered by unauthorized parties. DataSys+ highlights VPNs as a best practice for protecting data-in-transit and preventing exposure of sensitive database services directly to the internet. VPNs also allow administrators to enforce centralized access controls, logging, and monitoring, further strengthening security.

Option B, implementing strong password policies, is an important security measure but does not by itself enable secure remote connectivity. Password policies address authentication strength, not secure network transport. Option C, configuring and deploying a firewall, is essential for controlling traffic flow, but a firewall alone does not provide secure remote access for home users. It typically blocks or allows connections rather than securely tunneling them. Option D, implementing a perimeter network (DMZ), is designed to host internet-facing services while isolating internal systems. Exposing databases through a perimeter network increases risk and is not recommended for direct user access to internal data.

CompTIA DataSys+ stresses the principle of minimizing attack surface. A VPN supports this principle by avoiding direct exposure of database services while still enabling authorized remote access. It also integrates well with multifactor authentication and identity management systems.

Therefore, the most secure and appropriate method to enable remote access without compromising stored data is to implement a virtual private network, making option A the correct and fully verified answer.

The option that is used to hide data in a database so the data can only be read by a user who has a key is data encryption. Data encryption is a process that transforms data into an unreadable or scrambled form using an algorithm and a key. Data encryption helps protect data from unauthorized access or modification by third parties, such as hackers, eavesdroppers, or interceptors. Data encryption also helps verify the identity and authenticity of the source and destination of the data using digital signatures or certificates. Data encryption can be applied to data at rest (stored in a database) or data in transit (transmitted over a network). To read encrypted data, a user needs to have the corresponding key to decrypt or restore the data to its original form. The other options are either different concepts or not related to hiding data at all. For example, data security is a broad term that encompasses various methods and techniques to protect data from threats or risks; data masking is a technique that replaces sensitive data with fictitious but realistic data to protect its confidentiality or compliance; data protection is a term that refers to the legal or ethical obligations to safeguard personal or sensitive data from misuse or harm. References: CompTIA DataSys+ Course Outline, Domain 4.0 Data and Database Security, Objective 4.2 Given a scenario, implement security controls for databases.

The factor that must be considered to ensure data integrity during transmission is encryption. Encryption is a process that transforms data into an unreadable or scrambled form using an algorithm and a key. Encryption helps protect data integrity during transmission by preventing unauthorized access or modification of data by third parties, such as hackers, eavesdroppers, or interceptors. Encryption also helps verify the identity and authenticity of the source and destination of the data using digital signatures or certificates. The other options are either not related or not sufficient for this purpose. For example, bandwidth is the amount of data that can be transmitted over a network in a given time; redundancy is the duplication of data or components to provide backup or alternative sources in case of failure; masking is a technique that replaces sensitive data with fictitious but realistic data to protect its confidentiality or compliance. References: CompTIA DataSys+ Course Outline, Domain 4.0 Data and Database Security, Objective 4.2 Given a scenario, implement security controls for databases.