Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A payroll application allows the same user to create a vendor and approve a payment. The security team wants to reduce fraud without adding unnecessary complexity. Which principle should they apply?
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
Separation of duties, so no single person can complete the entire high-risk workflow.
Separation of duties is the best control when one person should not be able to create and approve the same payment. By splitting responsibilities across different roles or approvals, the organization reduces the chance of fraud, abuse, or accidental misuse. This principle is common in finance and payroll workflows because it provides meaningful risk reduction without requiring a complicated technical redesign of the entire application.
B
Distractor review
Job rotation, so employees periodically switch responsibilities to learn each other’s tasks.
Job rotation can improve detection over time, but it does not directly prevent one person from controlling the whole workflow.
C
Distractor review
Defense in depth, so multiple technical tools inspect every payment form.
Defense in depth is broader and layered, but the key issue here is dividing authority within the process.
D
Distractor review
Least privilege, so the payroll user can create and approve only this one vendor payment.
Least privilege limits access, but it would still allow the same person to perform both risky actions in this scenario.
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: Separation of duties, so no single person can complete the entire high-risk workflow. — Separation of duties is the right principle because the risk is concentrated in one person being able to both create and approve a payment. By splitting those responsibilities, the organization creates an internal check that reduces fraud and mistakes. In finance and payroll processes, this is one of the most effective nontechnical safeguards because it forces collaboration or review before money moves. Why others are wrong: Job rotation may help employees learn different tasks, but it is not the primary control against fraud in a payment workflow. Defense in depth is a valid strategy, but it is too broad for this specific process-control problem. Least privilege limits access to only what is needed, but here the central issue is that one person should not hold both stages of the transaction. That is separation of duties.
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.
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