Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
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
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
Distractor review
Defense in depth
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
Best answer
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
Distractor review
Non-repudiation
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
Distractor review
Availability
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 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
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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: Least privilege — The principle of least privilege requires that users be granted only the minimum permissions necessary to perform their job functions. In this scenario, nursing staff have been given administrative privileges that far exceed their actual job requirements (e.g., modifying system configurations and accessing all patient records), which directly violates least privilege. In contrast, defense in depth involves multiple layers of security controls, non-repudiation ensures that actions cannot be denied by the actor, and availability focuses on ensuring systems are accessible when needed. None of these other principles are directly implicated by the excessive permissions granted.
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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