The answer is defense in depth, the correct security principle for this scenario. This layered strategy deploys multiple, independent controls like MFA, endpoint protection, and network filtering so that if one layer fails, another still provides protection, ensuring no single point of failure can compromise the entire system. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this concept tests your understanding of overlapping security mechanisms versus a single, monolithic control; a common trap is confusing it with "layered security" as a vague term or assuming one strong control is sufficient. For a practical defense in depth principle example, think of a castle with a moat, walls, guards, and locked doors—each layer independently blocks an attacker. To remember it, use the mnemonic "Many Layers, One Goal" (MLOG), emphasizing that multiple independent defenses work together to catch what any single layer might miss.
SY0-701 General Security Concepts Practice Question
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of general security concepts. 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.
A company requires MFA, endpoint protection, and network filtering so that if one control misses a threat, another control still helps stop it. Which security principle is this?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Defense in depth
Defense in depth is a layered security strategy where multiple, independent controls (e.g., MFA, endpoint protection, network filtering) are deployed so that if one layer fails, another still provides protection. This ensures no single point of failure can compromise the entire system, directly matching the scenario where overlapping controls compensate for each other's gaps.
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.
✗
Single sign-on
Why it's wrong here
Single sign-on reduces repeated logins, but it does not describe layered protective controls.
✓
Defense in depth
Why this is correct
Defense in depth uses multiple overlapping controls so a single failure does not expose the organization.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Nonrepudiation
Why it's wrong here
Nonrepudiation proves an action occurred and cannot be denied, but it does not describe layered controls.
✗
Data masking
Why it's wrong here
Data masking hides sensitive values, but it does not provide multiple layers of protection.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse 'defense in depth' with 'single sign-on' because both involve multiple systems, but SSO is about convenience and identity federation, not layered security controls.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Defense in depth relies on heterogeneous controls at different layers (e.g., network firewalls, host-based IDS/IPS, application whitelisting) to create redundancy. For example, even if an attacker bypasses a network filter via encrypted tunnel, endpoint protection like Windows Defender Antivirus or CrowdStrike Falcon can still detect malicious behavior at the host level. This principle is formalized in frameworks like NIST SP 800-53, which mandates multiple, overlapping security controls to achieve 'protect' and 'detect' functions.
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 security analyst at a medium-sized enterprise encounters this scenario during an investigation or architecture review. The correct answer reflects best practice for the specific threat or control described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this SY0-701 question in full detail.
General Security Concepts — This question tests General Security Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Defense in depth — Defense in depth is a layered security strategy where multiple, independent controls (e.g., MFA, endpoint protection, network filtering) are deployed so that if one layer fails, another still provides protection. This ensures no single point of failure can compromise the entire system, directly matching the scenario where overlapping controls compensate for each other's gaps.
What should I do if I get this SY0-701 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.
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. A company uses MFA, endpoint protection, firewalls, and network segmentation together to protect a customer portal. Which security principle does this best illustrate?
easy
A.Need-to-know, because users only see the data assigned to them.
B.Separation of duties, because no single person performs every security task.
✓ C.Defense in depth, because multiple layers protect the same asset.
D.Zero trust, because the portal is hosted in the cloud.
Why C: Defense in depth is the correct principle because the company is deploying multiple, overlapping security controls—MFA, endpoint protection, firewalls, and network segmentation—to protect the same customer portal. This layered approach ensures that if one control fails (e.g., a firewall rule is misconfigured), other controls (e.g., endpoint detection or segmentation) still provide protection, reducing the overall risk of a single point of compromise.
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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This SY0-701 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 SY0-701 exam.
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