Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A payment processor stores full card numbers in its transaction database, but developers and analysts should never see the real numbers in nonproduction reports or troubleshooting tools. The business still needs to correlate the same card across multiple records. Which technique is the best fit?
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
Best answer
Tokenization, because it replaces the real value with a surrogate token for business use.
Tokenization preserves referential value for transactions while keeping the original card number out of ordinary views and reports.
B
Distractor review
Hashing, because the output can always be reversed by the application later.
Hashes are designed to be one-way and are not suitable when the original value must be recoverable or consistently mapped.
C
Distractor review
Data masking, because it permanently deletes the sensitive record from the database.
Masking hides displayed data, but it does not inherently replace the stored value or support secure token-based workflows.
D
Distractor review
Compression, because reducing file size also hides the payment information from users.
Compression reduces storage size, but it does not protect sensitive data from exposure or unauthorized viewing.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
- Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
- The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
- Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
- Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
- Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
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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?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Tokenization, because it replaces the real value with a surrogate token for business use. — Tokenization is the best choice because it substitutes the sensitive card number with a non-sensitive surrogate token while preserving the ability to correlate records across systems. That makes it useful when business processes need a consistent identifier but staff should not see the real payment data. Unlike hashing, tokenization can support controlled lookup or detokenization when authorized, and unlike masking, it addresses the underlying stored value rather than just the display layer. Why others are wrong: Hashing is one-way and is not appropriate when the application needs a reusable surrogate that maps back under control. Masking is mainly for display and reporting; it does not replace the value in a way that supports token workflows. Compression is unrelated to confidentiality and does not meaningfully protect payment data.
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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