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 legacy reporting application cannot be modified this quarter, but users still need access from the corporate network. Security adds a hardened jump server, tighter monitoring, and manual approval for each session because MFA cannot be built into the app yet. What type of control is this?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Compensating control
A compensating control is an alternative security measure implemented when the primary control cannot be applied due to technical or operational constraints. In this scenario, the legacy application cannot be modified to support MFA, so the organization deploys a hardened jump server, enhanced monitoring, and manual session approval as compensating controls to reduce risk. These controls do not eliminate the vulnerability but provide an equivalent level of protection until the application can be updated.
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.
✓
Compensating control
Why this is correct
The organization uses alternate safeguards because the preferred MFA control cannot be implemented yet.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Detective control
Why it's wrong here
Monitoring is detective, but the overall measure also serves as an alternate safeguard for a missing requirement.
✗
Corrective control
Why it's wrong here
Corrective controls fix an issue after an event occurs, rather than standing in for an unavailable control.
✗
Deterrent control
Why it's wrong here
Deterrent controls discourage misuse, but they do not replace a required security capability.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse compensating controls with detective controls because monitoring is involved, but the primary purpose of compensating controls is to provide an alternative security function, not just to detect events.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Compensating controls are formally defined in frameworks like NIST SP 800-53 and PCI DSS, where they must be documented with a clear rationale, risk assessment, and periodic review. In this case, the jump server acts as a bastion host with strict ACLs, session recording, and manual approval workflows, effectively creating a controlled gateway that substitutes for the missing MFA. The monitoring component (e.g., SIEM integration) ensures that any anomalous behavior during the session is detected and can trigger immediate termination.
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 team runs a vulnerability scan on a web application and discovers an unpatched SQL injection flaw. The team prioritises remediation by CVSS score — critical flaws are patched within 24 hours, high within 7 days. Questions like this test whether you understand vulnerability management processes, scanning tools, and remediation prioritisation.
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: Compensating control — A compensating control is an alternative security measure implemented when the primary control cannot be applied due to technical or operational constraints. In this scenario, the legacy application cannot be modified to support MFA, so the organization deploys a hardened jump server, enhanced monitoring, and manual session approval as compensating controls to reduce risk. These controls do not eliminate the vulnerability but provide an equivalent level of protection until the application can be updated.
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.
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Question Discussion
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