Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A data analyst needs a copy of a customer file for product testing. The file includes names, email addresses, purchase history, and government ID numbers, but the test team only needs the names and purchase history. What is the BEST handling action?
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
Provide the full file because the test team is internal and already trusted.
Internal users are still subject to least privilege and data minimization requirements. Trust does not justify exposing unnecessary sensitive data.
B
Best answer
Remove or mask the government ID numbers before sharing the minimum necessary fields.
This is the best action because it follows data minimization and privacy principles. The test team does not need government ID numbers, so those fields should be removed or masked before the data is shared. Limiting the dataset to the minimum necessary information reduces privacy risk, lowers the chance of unauthorized disclosure, and aligns with common handling requirements for sensitive customer data.
C
Distractor review
Encrypt the file and send it by email to the entire test group.
Encryption helps protect the file in transit, but emailing a broad group still exposes too many people to unnecessary sensitive information.
D
Distractor review
Keep the file unchanged and rely on the team not to open the sensitive columns.
Relying on user discretion is weak handling. Sensitive fields should be removed or protected before distribution, not merely ignored.
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: Remove or mask the government ID numbers before sharing the minimum necessary fields. — The best handling action is to share only the minimum necessary data and remove or mask fields that the test team does not need. This reduces privacy exposure and supports data minimization, which is a core handling principle. Government ID numbers are especially sensitive and should not be distributed without a valid business need. If the remaining fields are sufficient for testing, the organization should avoid sharing the unnecessary identifiers entirely. Why others are wrong: Providing the full file violates least privilege because the team does not need every field. Encrypting the file is good transport protection, but it does not justify exposing unnecessary sensitive data. Simply trusting users to ignore columns is not a valid control because accidental viewing, copying, or re-use can still occur. The best solution is to remove unneeded sensitive information before sharing.
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.
Discussion
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