Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A security auditor is reviewing the access controls for a payroll application. The auditor discovers that a single user, the payroll manager, has permissions to both create new employee records and then approve and process salary payments for those records. The company's security policy requires that no single individual should be able to execute both the creation and the approval of a payment for the same employee. Which of the following security principles is the company's policy attempting to enforce?
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
Least privilege
Least privilege grants users only the permissions necessary to perform their job, but the policy here is about splitting tasks between individuals, not just minimizing permissions.
B
Best answer
Separation of duties
Separation of duties ensures that no single individual has control over all phases of a critical transaction, reducing the risk of fraud or error.
C
Distractor review
Defense in depth
Defense in depth involves multiple layers of security controls (e.g., firewall, antivirus, encryption), not the division of responsibilities within a process.
D
Distractor review
Mandatory access control
Mandatory access control relies on system-enforced labels and clearances, not on dividing functional roles.
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 — The company's policy implements separation of duties to reduce the risk of internal fraud by ensuring that no single employee can both create and approve payments. This is a common internal control in financial systems.
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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