Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A cloud support team is changing the way employees access an internal finance portal. Instead of trusting the user's initial login for the rest of the session, the portal now checks identity, device posture, and request context again before allowing access to payroll data or download actions. Which security concept is being implemented?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
Distractor review
Defense in depth
Layered controls may be present, but the key idea here is continuous verification rather than simply adding more barriers.
B
Best answer
Zero trust
Zero trust assumes that no user, device, or network path should be trusted by default, even after initial authentication. Each access request is evaluated using identity, device health, and context before the action is allowed. That approach fits the scenario because sensitive actions are rechecked instead of relying on a one-time login event.
C
Distractor review
Need-to-know
Need-to-know limits access to specific information, but this scenario is about how access decisions are continuously validated.
D
Distractor review
Least privilege
Least privilege reduces the amount of access granted, but it does not by itself describe repeated verification of each request.
Common exam trap
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.
Technical deep dive
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.
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More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A laptop is suspected of being used in a malware incident. It is still powered on and connected to Wi-Fi. What should the responder do before shutting it down?
Question 2
An employee reports a ransomware note on a file server. The server is still powered on, shares are still being accessed, and management wants service restored as quickly as possible. What should the incident response team do first?
Question 3
An employee reports a ransomware note on a finance laptop. The laptop is still powered on, connected to Wi-Fi, and the user says they were just working in a spreadsheet. Management wants the fastest safe response that also preserves evidence. What should the responder do first?
Question 4
You are handed a company laptop suspected in an insider theft case. Legal says the evidence may be needed in court. Which action best preserves admissibility?
Question 5
A developer wants to reduce the risk of SQL injection in a new customer search form. Which two changes are the best mitigations? Select two.
Question 6
A branch office uses a flat LAN, and a compromise on one user workstation could spread quickly to finance systems. Management wants finance workstations isolated from general users, but finance staff still need access to a central finance application and network printer. What is the best design change?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Authentication checks who the user is.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Zero trust — Zero trust is the correct concept because the portal does not rely on a single successful sign-in to establish ongoing trust. Instead, it re-evaluates the user, device, and context for each sensitive action. This model reduces the chance that a stolen session, compromised device, or risky network location can be used to access protected payroll information without additional scrutiny. Why others are wrong: Defense in depth would involve multiple layers, but it does not specifically describe continual revalidation. Need-to-know is about limiting who can view certain data, not about repeated request evaluation. Least privilege is important, yet it focuses on reducing permissions rather than enforcing access decisions based on identity and context at every step.
What should I do if I get this SY0-701 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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