A project team needs to use an unapproved file-sharing application for two weeks because the approved platform cannot support an external client collaboration feature. What is the best security action?
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.
Distractor review
Deny the request permanently and avoid discussing the business need
This ignores the business requirement and does not provide a controlled path for a temporary need. Security governance should balance risk reduction with operational reality, not simply reject every exception request without review.
Best answer
Approve a documented temporary exception with compensating controls and a review date
A temporary exception is the best choice when a business need exists and the risk can be managed. Document the reason, identify compensating controls such as encryption or restricted access, assign an owner, and set an expiration date. That approach preserves governance, keeps the risk visible, and avoids turning a temporary deviation into an indefinite shadow process.
Distractor review
Immediately rewrite the policy so all users may use the unapproved application
Changing the policy for everyone is too broad for a short-term project need. A policy should not be modified simply to bypass controls for one team when a narrow exception can address the situation more appropriately.
Distractor review
Ask the team to create a detailed step-by-step procedure for using the application
A procedure describes how a task is performed, but it does not authorize a risky business exception. The problem here is governance and approval, not simply the lack of documented steps for users.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
- The first matching ACL entry is used.
- There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
- Check inbound versus outbound direction.
- Read the ACL from top to bottom.
- Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
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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
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Question 2
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Question 3
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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
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Question 6
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Approve a documented temporary exception with compensating controls and a review date — A documented temporary exception is the correct governance response because the need is temporary, the risk is known, and the business impact is real. Good security programs do not treat every deviation as a failure; instead, they record the exception, add compensating controls, define ownership, and require periodic review. That keeps the organization compliant with policy while allowing the project to continue safely. Why others are wrong: A permanent denial ignores legitimate operational needs, and rewriting the policy would be excessive for a short-term request. A procedure only explains how work is done; it does not approve a deviation from approved tooling or manage the associated risk. The key issue is exception handling, not documentation style.
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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