- A
Defense in depth
Why wrong: Defense in depth refers to the use of multiple, overlapping layers of security controls to protect assets. The scenario describes an access control misconfiguration, not a lack of layered defenses.
- B
Least privilege
The principle of least privilege dictates that users should have only the minimum permissions needed to perform their duties. Granting nursing staff full administrative rights violates this principle because the staff only need limited, role-specific access to patient records.
- C
Non-repudiation
Why wrong: Non-repudiation ensures that a party cannot deny having performed an action, typically achieved through digital signatures or audit logs. The scenario does not involve denial of actions; it involves excessive permissions.
- D
Availability
Why wrong: Availability ensures that systems and data are accessible when needed by authorized users. While excessive privileges might indirectly affect availability if misused, the direct violation in this case is that users have more permissions than necessary, which is a breach of least privilege.
SY0-701 General Security Concepts Practice Question
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of general security concepts. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 security analyst at a hospital is reviewing user permissions in the electronic health record (EHR) system. The analyst discovers that all nursing staff accounts are members of the 'Administrators' group, which grants full read and write access to all patient records, as well as the ability to modify system configuration settings. The nursing staff's job responsibilities only require viewing and updating records for patients currently assigned to them. Which security principle is most directly violated by this configuration?
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
Least privilege
The principle of least privilege dictates that users should be granted only the minimum permissions necessary to perform their job functions. In this case, nursing staff only need read and write access to records of currently assigned patients, but membership in the 'Administrators' group grants full read/write access to all patient records and the ability to modify system configuration settings, which far exceeds their job requirements. This directly violates least privilege by providing excessive, unnecessary privileges that increase the risk of unauthorized access or accidental misconfiguration.
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.
- ✗
Defense in depth
Why it's wrong here
Defense in depth refers to the use of multiple, overlapping layers of security controls to protect assets. The scenario describes an access control misconfiguration, not a lack of layered defenses.
- ✓
Least privilege
Why this is correct
The principle of least privilege dictates that users should have only the minimum permissions needed to perform their duties. Granting nursing staff full administrative rights violates this principle because the staff only need limited, role-specific access to patient records.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Non-repudiation
Why it's wrong here
Non-repudiation ensures that a party cannot deny having performed an action, typically achieved through digital signatures or audit logs. The scenario does not involve denial of actions; it involves excessive permissions.
- ✗
Availability
Why it's wrong here
Availability ensures that systems and data are accessible when needed by authorized users. While excessive privileges might indirectly affect availability if misused, the direct violation in this case is that users have more permissions than necessary, which is a breach of least privilege.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse 'least privilege' with 'defense in depth' because both are security principles, but defense in depth is about multiple layers of protection, not about limiting user permissions to the minimum necessary.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
Defense in depth refers to the use of multiple, overlapping layers of security controls to protect assets. The scenario describes an access control misconfiguration, not a lack of layered defenses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In role-based access control (RBAC) systems like those used in EHR platforms (e.g., Epic, Cerner), roles are mapped to specific permissions sets. The 'Administrators' group typically includes permissions to modify system configuration (e.g., audit policies, user accounts) and access all data objects, which violates the separation of duties and least privilege principles. A real-world scenario: a nurse with admin rights could accidentally delete system logs or alter access controls, leading to a HIPAA violation or data integrity loss.
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 security analyst at a medium-sized enterprise encounters this scenario during an investigation or architecture review. The correct answer reflects best practice for the specific threat or control described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
General Security Concepts — This question tests General Security Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Least privilege — The principle of least privilege dictates that users should be granted only the minimum permissions necessary to perform their job functions. In this case, nursing staff only need read and write access to records of currently assigned patients, but membership in the 'Administrators' group grants full read/write access to all patient records and the ability to modify system configuration settings, which far exceeds their job requirements. This directly violates least privilege by providing excessive, unnecessary privileges that increase the risk of unauthorized access or accidental misconfiguration.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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