The answer is to enable 'Audit object access' and configure the SACL on the folder. This is correct because the System Access Control List (SACL) on a file or folder defines which access attempts—successful, failed, or both—are logged, while the 'Audit object access' policy activates the auditing engine to capture those events. Without both components, the audit log will remain empty, as the SACL specifies the what and the policy enables the how. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your understanding of advanced audit policies, specifically that 'Audit File Share' or 'Audit Detailed File Share' under Advanced Audit Policy must be configured to log both success and failure for file share access. A common trap is confusing the SACL with the DACL (which controls permissions) or thinking that enabling the policy alone is sufficient. Remember the memory tip: "SACL says what to log, policy says to log it"—both are required for effective file share access logging.
220-1102 Windows Security Settings Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of windows security settings. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
After a security incident, a forensic analyst needs to ensure that Windows 10 audit logs capture all successful and failed attempts to access the 'Confidential' folder on a file server. Which audit policy configuration is required?
Enable 'Audit account logon events' for success and failure
Why wrong: This policy audits user authentication events, not file access.
B
Enable 'Audit object access' and configure the SACL on the folder
Audit object access must be enabled, and a System Access Control List (SACL) must be configured on the folder to specify which access attempts (success/failure) to log.
C
Enable 'Audit privilege use' for success and failure
Why wrong: This policy audits the use of user rights, not file access.
D
Enable 'Audit process tracking' for success and failure
Why wrong: This policy tracks process creation and termination, not file access.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable 'Audit object access' and configure the SACL on the folder
This question tests understanding of advanced audit policies. To log file access, you need to enable 'Audit File Share' or 'Audit Detailed File Share' under Advanced Audit Policy. The 'Object Access' subcategory must be configured to log both success and failure events for file share access.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Enable 'Audit account logon events' for success and failure
Why it's wrong here
This policy audits user authentication events, not file access.
✓
Enable 'Audit object access' and configure the SACL on the folder
Why this is correct
Audit object access must be enabled, and a System Access Control List (SACL) must be configured on the folder to specify which access attempts (success/failure) to log.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✗
Enable 'Audit privilege use' for success and failure
Why it's wrong here
This policy audits the use of user rights, not file access.
✗
Enable 'Audit process tracking' for success and failure
Why it's wrong here
This policy tracks process creation and termination, not file access.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Authentication checks who the user is.
Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
→Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
→Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
→Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A security administrator must allow nursing staff to reach a patient records server while blocking access from the guest Wi-Fi VLAN. After applying an extended ACL, traffic is still blocked from nursing workstations. The ACL was applied outbound instead of inbound on the wrong interface. Questions like this test ACL direction and placement rules.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1202 question in full detail.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related 220-1202 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Windows Security Settings — This question tests Windows Security Settings — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable 'Audit object access' and configure the SACL on the folder — This question tests understanding of advanced audit policies. To log file access, you need to enable 'Audit File Share' or 'Audit Detailed File Share' under Advanced Audit Policy. The 'Object Access' subcategory must be configured to log both success and failure events for file share access.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related 220-1202 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. After a security incident, a forensic analyst needs to review the event logs on a Windows 10 system to determine when a specific user account was created. The logs are intact. Which Windows security setting must be enabled to ensure that account creation events are recorded?
hard
A.Enable 'Audit Logon Events' in Local Security Policy.
✓ B.Enable 'Audit Account Management' in Advanced Audit Policy.
C.Turn on 'File and Printer Sharing' in Network and Sharing Center.
D.Configure Windows Defender to scan for new accounts.
Why B: Audit Account Management policy must be enabled to log events like user account creation. This is configured in Local Security Policy or Group Policy under Advanced Audit Policy Configuration. Without this audit setting, account creation events are not recorded in the Security log.
Last reviewed: Jun 19, 2026
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