Question 903 of 1,152

Security Operations →mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The correct response is to create a forensic image of the device, document the handoff, and maintain chain of custody before any analysis. This is because the forensic imaging chain of custody is the foundational legal and technical requirement for preserving evidence; a bit-for-bit copy ensures the original data remains unaltered, while a documented handoff creates an unbroken audit trail that proves who accessed the evidence and when. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of forensic procedures and the critical rule that preservation must always precede analysis—a common trap is allowing HR or management to browse files directly, which would spoliate evidence. Remember the priority order: image first, document second, analyze last. For a quick memory tip, think “IDC” – Image, Document, Chain – to lock in the sequence.

SY0-701 Security Operations Practice Question

This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of security operations. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 manager asks the security team to let Human Resources inspect the files on a laptop suspected of containing stolen customer data before IT touches it. What is the best response?

Clue words in this question

Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.

Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.

Question 1mediummultiple choice

Full question →

A
Let HR browse the files first so they can confirm whether the data is sensitive.
Why wrong: Allowing unsupervised browsing risks altering evidence and breaks proper handling procedures. Investigations should preserve data integrity before review.
B
Create a forensic image of the device, document the handoff, and maintain chain of custody before any analysis.
When a device may contain evidence, the priority is to preserve it in a way that supports later analysis and legal defensibility. Creating a forensic image captures the data without modifying the original device, and documenting each transfer maintains chain of custody. This approach protects evidence integrity and allows authorized investigators to review the copy instead of the live system. It is the correct response before HR or others inspect the contents.
C
Copy the files to a shared drive so multiple departments can review them quickly.
Why wrong: Copying files casually can alter metadata, expand exposure, and create a poor evidence trail. It also does not preserve chain of custody well.
D
Factory reset the laptop immediately to prevent further leakage of customer data.
Why wrong: A factory reset destroys evidence before it can be preserved. In an active investigation, containment and evidence preservation come before remediation on the device.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

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

✓

Create a forensic image of the device, document the handoff, and maintain chain of custody before any analysis.

Option B is correct because the first priority in any investigation involving potential evidence is to preserve the data in its original state. Creating a forensic image (bit-for-bit copy) ensures that the original media is not altered, and documenting the handoff with a chain of custody form provides a verifiable audit trail. This process adheres to forensic best practices and legal requirements, preventing spoliation of evidence before any analysis begins.

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.

✗
Let HR browse the files first so they can confirm whether the data is sensitive.
Why it's wrong here
Allowing unsupervised browsing risks altering evidence and breaks proper handling procedures. Investigations should preserve data integrity before review.
✓
Create a forensic image of the device, document the handoff, and maintain chain of custody before any analysis.
Why this is correct
When a device may contain evidence, the priority is to preserve it in a way that supports later analysis and legal defensibility. Creating a forensic image captures the data without modifying the original device, and documenting each transfer maintains chain of custody. This approach protects evidence integrity and allows authorized investigators to review the copy instead of the live system. It is the correct response before HR or others inspect the contents.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Copy the files to a shared drive so multiple departments can review them quickly.
Why it's wrong here
Copying files casually can alter metadata, expand exposure, and create a poor evidence trail. It also does not preserve chain of custody well.
✗
Factory reset the laptop immediately to prevent further leakage of customer data.
Why it's wrong here
A factory reset destroys evidence before it can be preserved. In an active investigation, containment and evidence preservation come before remediation on the device.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

The trap here is that candidates may think HR needs immediate access to confirm sensitivity, but they overlook the forensic requirement to preserve the original state of the evidence before any access or analysis occurs.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

A forensic image is typically created using tools like dd or FTK Imager, which generate a raw or E01 image that includes all data, including deleted files and unallocated space. The chain of custody document must include details such as the device serial number, hash values (e.g., SHA-256) of the original media and the image, and a signed log of every person who handled the evidence. In real-world scenarios, failure to follow this process can lead to evidence being excluded under rules like the Daubert standard or Federal Rules of Evidence.

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 SOC analyst notices unusual lateral movement in the network at 2 AM. The IR playbook dictates: identify and contain (isolate the affected machine), then eradicate (remove the malware), then recover (restore from backup), then document. Skipping containment before eradication risks the attacker regaining access. Questions like this test the sequence and rationale of incident response phases.

What to study next

Got this wrong? Here's your next step.

Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this SY0-701 question test?

Security Operations — This question tests Security Operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: Create a forensic image of the device, document the handoff, and maintain chain of custody before any analysis. — Option B is correct because the first priority in any investigation involving potential evidence is to preserve the data in its original state. Creating a forensic image (bit-for-bit copy) ensures that the original media is not altered, and documenting the handoff with a chain of custody form provides a verifiable audit trail. This process adheres to forensic best practices and legal requirements, preventing spoliation of evidence before any analysis begins.

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.

Are there clue words in this question I should notice?

Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

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