- A
Confidentiality
Why wrong: Confidentiality is about preventing unauthorized access to data. The backup restoration does not address whether the data was exposed; it focuses on correcting unauthorized modifications.
- B
Integrity
Integrity ensures data is accurate and has not been improperly altered. By restoring the database to a state before the unauthorized modifications, the analyst is directly correcting a breach of integrity.
- C
Availability
Why wrong: Availability ensures systems and data are accessible when needed. While the restoration does make the correct data available again, the primary driver for the action is to fix the integrity violation, not to restore availability (which was not lost).
- D
Non-repudiation
Why wrong: Non-repudiation provides proof of an action or event, such as a digital signature. Restoring from backup does not provide evidence of who performed the modifications; it only corrects the data.
Quick Answer
The answer is integrity because restoring altered records from a verified read-only backup directly corrects unauthorized modifications, ensuring the data returns to its accurate, pre-attack state. Integrity, as a security goal, guarantees that information has not been tampered with by unauthorized parties, and this restoration process reverses the attacker’s changes to the customer account balances. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this scenario tests your ability to distinguish integrity from availability or confidentiality—a common trap is confusing backup restoration with disaster recovery (availability) or encryption (confidentiality). The key is that the backup is verified and read-only, proving it holds the original, unaltered data. Remember the mnemonic “I-Restore” to link Integrity with restoring from backup to fix tampered data.
SY0-701 General Security Concepts Practice Question
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of general security concepts. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 is investigating a data integrity incident where an attacker exploited a vulnerability in a web application to alter customer account balance records in the database. The analyst identifies the exact records that were modified and restores those records from a verified read-only backup taken prior to the attack. Which security goal is the analyst primarily addressing by restoring the records from backup?
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
Integrity
Restoring the altered customer account balance records from a verified read-only backup directly addresses the integrity security goal. Integrity ensures that data is accurate and has not been modified by unauthorized parties. By reverting the records to their pre-attack state, the analyst is correcting the unauthorized modifications, thereby restoring the trustworthiness of the data.
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.
- ✗
Confidentiality
Why it's wrong here
Confidentiality is about preventing unauthorized access to data. The backup restoration does not address whether the data was exposed; it focuses on correcting unauthorized modifications.
- ✓
Integrity
Why this is correct
Integrity ensures data is accurate and has not been improperly altered. By restoring the database to a state before the unauthorized modifications, the analyst is directly correcting a breach of integrity.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Availability
Why it's wrong here
Availability ensures systems and data are accessible when needed. While the restoration does make the correct data available again, the primary driver for the action is to fix the integrity violation, not to restore availability (which was not lost).
- ✗
Non-repudiation
Why it's wrong here
Non-repudiation provides proof of an action or event, such as a digital signature. Restoring from backup does not provide evidence of who performed the modifications; it only corrects the data.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse restoring data from backup with ensuring availability, but the primary goal in this scenario is to correct unauthorized modifications, which is a core integrity function.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In database systems, integrity is often enforced through constraints (e.g., primary keys, foreign keys, check constraints) and transaction logs (e.g., Write-Ahead Logging in PostgreSQL or redo logs in Oracle). A read-only backup, such as a database snapshot or a file-level backup taken with tools like pg_dump or mysqldump, provides a point-in-time copy that is immutable. Restoring from this backup overwrites the compromised data, effectively rolling back the unauthorized transactions that violated integrity.
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 team runs a vulnerability scan on a web application and discovers an unpatched SQL injection flaw. The team prioritises remediation by CVSS score — critical flaws are patched within 24 hours, high within 7 days. Questions like this test whether you understand vulnerability management processes, scanning tools, and remediation prioritisation.
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: Integrity — Restoring the altered customer account balance records from a verified read-only backup directly addresses the integrity security goal. Integrity ensures that data is accurate and has not been modified by unauthorized parties. By reverting the records to their pre-attack state, the analyst is correcting the unauthorized modifications, thereby restoring the trustworthiness of the data.
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
This SY0-701 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the SY0-701 exam.
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