FC0-U71 Security Practice Question
A company implements a policy where employees must lock their computer screen when leaving their desk. Which security principle does this practice support?
⚠ Common exam trap
FC0-U71 often tests the mapping of security practices to CIA triad principles, and candidates may confuse confidentiality with authentication or integrity, especially when the control involves user access.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Confidentiality
Locking the computer screen when leaving a desk supports the confidentiality principle by preventing unauthorized individuals from viewing or accessing sensitive information on the screen or through the unlocked session. It ensures that only authorized users can access the data, aligning with confidentiality's goal of protecting information from unauthorized disclosure. This is a physical and operational control that directly reduces the risk of data exposure.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Confidentiality
Why this is correct
Locking the screen prevents unauthorised individuals from viewing or accessing displayed data, directly supporting confidentiality by restricting information to authorised eyes only. It satisfies the stem's requirement to protect sensitive information from exposure when a workstation is left unattended, aligning with the confidentiality pillar of the CIA triad.
- ✗
Availability
Why it's wrong here
Screen locking restricts who can access a session, which supports confidentiality, not availability. Availability concerns ensuring systems and data remain accessible to authorised users; the option is tempting because locking could be misread as affecting uptime or access, but it does not.
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Authentication
Why it's wrong here
Authentication verifies identity at login; locking a screen after that point does not authenticate anyone, it prevents an unattended session being used. It is tempting because both involve access control, but the mechanism here is session protection supporting confidentiality.
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Integrity
Why it's wrong here
Integrity concerns data remaining unaltered and trustworthy; screen locking does not detect or prevent modification of data. It is tempting because unauthorised use could lead to changes, but the direct principle enforced is confidentiality, restricting who can view the active session.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
This FC0-U71 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the FC0-U71 exam.