- A
Confidentiality
Why wrong: Confidentiality is concerned with preventing unauthorized disclosure of information. Hashing does not protect data from being read; it only verifies that the data has not been modified. Therefore, this option is incorrect.
- B
Integrity
Integrity ensures that data has not been tampered with or altered by unauthorized parties. Comparing hashes allows the engineer to detect any unauthorized changes to the configuration files, directly supporting the integrity goal. This is the correct answer.
- C
Availability
Why wrong: Availability ensures that systems and data are accessible when needed. Hashing does not affect system uptime or accessibility, so it does not directly protect availability. This option is incorrect.
- D
Authentication
Why wrong: Authentication verifies the identity of a user or system. Hashing configuration files does not confirm the identity of the entity making changes; it only indicates that a change occurred. Thus, this option is incorrect.
Quick Answer
The answer is integrity because the script’s nightly hash comparison is designed to detect any unauthorized or accidental modification to the configuration files. By computing a SHA-256 hash and comparing it to the previous value, the control verifies that the file contents have not been altered, which is the precise definition of the integrity security goal. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this scenario tests your ability to map a technical control—like hashing or checksums—to the CIA triad goal it protects; a common trap is confusing integrity with confidentiality, since hashing does not encrypt or hide data. Remember the memory tip: “Hash checks for changes, not secrets”—if the goal is to detect tampering, it is always integrity.
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 engineer writes a script that computes SHA-256 hashes of critical server configuration files every night and sends an alert if any hash value has changed since the previous night. Which security goal is this control primarily designed to protect?
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
The script computes SHA-256 hashes of configuration files and compares them nightly to detect any unauthorized or accidental changes. This directly protects the integrity of the files by ensuring they have not been modified, which is the core security goal of integrity. Confidentiality and availability are not addressed by hash comparison.
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 concerned with preventing unauthorized disclosure of information. Hashing does not protect data from being read; it only verifies that the data has not been modified. Therefore, this option is incorrect.
- ✓
Integrity
Why this is correct
Integrity ensures that data has not been tampered with or altered by unauthorized parties. Comparing hashes allows the engineer to detect any unauthorized changes to the configuration files, directly supporting the integrity goal. This is the correct answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Availability
Why it's wrong here
Availability ensures that systems and data are accessible when needed. Hashing does not affect system uptime or accessibility, so it does not directly protect availability. This option is incorrect.
- ✗
Authentication
Why it's wrong here
Authentication verifies the identity of a user or system. Hashing configuration files does not confirm the identity of the entity making changes; it only indicates that a change occurred. Thus, this option is incorrect.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is confusing integrity with confidentiality because hashing involves cryptographic algorithms, leading candidates to mistakenly think it protects secrecy rather than detecting unauthorized modification.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SHA-256 is a cryptographic hash function that produces a fixed 256-bit digest; any change in the input file, even a single bit, results in a completely different hash (avalanche effect). The script likely stores the previous hash in a secure, immutable log or database and compares it using a simple string equality check. In real-world scenarios, this technique is used by file integrity monitoring (FIM) tools like Tripwire or AIDE to detect rootkits or configuration drift.
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: Integrity — The script computes SHA-256 hashes of configuration files and compares them nightly to detect any unauthorized or accidental changes. This directly protects the integrity of the files by ensuring they have not been modified, which is the core security goal of integrity. Confidentiality and availability are not addressed by hash comparison.
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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