SY0-701 Security Architecture Practice Question
A manager can access the HR portal normally from a managed laptop, but if they sign in from an unmanaged tablet, the system should require extra verification before granting access. Which control best fits?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse data protection controls (encryption, VLANs) with access control mechanisms, failing to recognize that conditional access is the only option that dynamically adjusts authentication requirements based on device trust or risk.
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
✓
Conditional access based on device trust or risk.
Conditional access policies evaluate device trust (e.g., compliance with security baselines, domain membership) and risk signals (e.g., location, sign-in behavior) to enforce step-up authentication. This directly matches the requirement: allow normal access from a managed laptop, but require extra verification from an unmanaged tablet. Other options like password expiration, VLAN segmentation, or encryption do not dynamically adjust authentication requirements based on device trust.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Conditional access based on device trust or risk.
Why this is correct
This is the best answer because conditional access can change authentication requirements depending on the device or sign-in context. A managed laptop can be allowed normally, while an unmanaged tablet can trigger extra verification such as MFA or access restrictions. That lets the organization balance usability and security instead of using the same rule for every login.
- ✗
A longer password expiration interval.
Why it's wrong here
Extending password expiration merely delays forced credential changes and has no bearing on device trust or sign-in risk. It cannot distinguish a managed laptop from an unmanaged tablet, nor trigger step-up authentication based on context. In fact, longer intervals can increase risk if credentials are compromised, but they are irrelevant to conditional access decisions.
- ✗
A separate VLAN for each manager.
Why it's wrong here
Assigning each manager a dedicated VLAN is a network-layer isolation technique that separates broadcast domains and limits lateral movement, but it does not inspect device posture or sign-in context. A VLAN cannot force MFA or block an untrusted device; it only affects network reachability. Thus it fails to provide the adaptive, policy-driven access control the scenario requires.
- ✗
Data encryption at rest on the HR database.
Why it's wrong here
Encrypting the HR database at rest safeguards stored records against physical theft or disk compromise, but it is a storage control, not an identity or access control. It cannot evaluate whether a device is managed, whether the user's sign-in is risky, or conditionally require additional verification. The database will still accept authenticated sessions from any device that passes the standard login flow.
Visual reference
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Related to this question
Learn chapter
Network Segmentation and Isolation
Key term
VLAN
A VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) is a logical grouping of network devices that behave as if they are on the same physical network segment, regardless of their actual physical location.
Key term
Compliance
Compliance is the process of ensuring that an organization follows laws, regulations, standards, and internal policies that apply to its operations and data handling.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.