The answer is a temporary exception to avoid disrupting operations during a migration. This is correct because security policies must balance protection with business continuity; if a control—such as a firewall rule or antivirus exclusion—blocks a business-critical application during a migration, an exception can be granted after a risk assessment and implementation of compensating controls. On the Cisco CyberOps Associate 200-201 exam, this concept tests your understanding of the security policy lifecycle and the principle that policies should support, not hinder, operational needs. A common trap is assuming exceptions are only for emergencies, but valid reasons for security policy exceptions often stem from planned migrations or legacy application compatibility. Remember the memory tip: “Migrate, don’t suffocate”—exceptions keep critical operations running while security is maintained through temporary, documented workarounds.
200-201 Security Policies and Procedures Practice Question
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of security policies and procedures. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Which TWO of the following are valid reasons to create an exception to a security policy? (Choose two.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
A business-critical application cannot function with the policy control.
Option D is correct because a business-critical application that cannot function with a security policy control represents a legitimate operational need that may require a temporary exception. Security policies should support business objectives, and if a control (e.g., a firewall rule, an antivirus exclusion, or an application whitelisting policy) prevents a critical application from running, an exception can be granted after a risk assessment and compensating controls are implemented. This aligns with the principle of balancing security with business continuity.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
The employee finds the policy inconvenient.
Why it's wrong here
Inconvenience is not a valid business reason.
✗
The policy is too new and employees are not yet trained.
Why it's wrong here
Lack of training is not a valid exception; the policy should be followed after training.
✗
The employee is a senior executive.
Why it's wrong here
Seniority does not justify bypassing security controls.
✓
A business-critical application cannot function with the policy control.
Why this is correct
If the control breaks a critical app, a temporary exception with compensatory controls may be needed.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Temporary exception to avoid disrupting operations during a migration.
Why this is correct
Short-term exceptions with risk acceptance can be allowed during transitions.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that seniority or personal inconvenience can justify policy exceptions, but the correct reasoning must always tie back to business continuity or technical necessity, not status or preference.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In practice, exceptions to security policies are often managed through a formal exception process that includes a risk acceptance form, compensating controls (e.g., additional logging, network segmentation, or multi-factor authentication), and a defined expiration date. For example, if a legacy application requires an outdated TLS version (e.g., TLS 1.0) that violates a policy, the exception might require the application to be placed on a restricted VLAN with strict access control lists (ACLs) and continuous monitoring until it can be upgraded. This ensures that the risk is acknowledged and mitigated rather than ignored.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 200-201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Security Policies and Procedures — This question tests Security Policies and Procedures — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: A business-critical application cannot function with the policy control. — Option D is correct because a business-critical application that cannot function with a security policy control represents a legitimate operational need that may require a temporary exception. Security policies should support business objectives, and if a control (e.g., a firewall rule, an antivirus exclusion, or an application whitelisting policy) prevents a critical application from running, an exception can be granted after a risk assessment and compensating controls are implemented. This aligns with the principle of balancing security with business continuity.
What should I do if I get this 200-201 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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