- A
Accept the risk because the vendor uses strong encryption.
Why wrong: While AES-256 encryption is strong, it does not address the full range of risks, such as the lack of customer-managed keys, the outdated penetration test, or legal/compliance exposure from storing PHI in a non-HIPAA jurisdiction. Accepting the risk based on encryption alone ignores these other critical factors.
- B
Request the vendor to obtain a current SOC 2 Type II report and review the findings before making a decision.
A SOC 2 Type II report provides an independent assessment of a service organization's controls over a period of time, including security, availability, and confidentiality. This is directly relevant for a cloud email service handling PHI. Reviewing this report gives the manager sufficient evidence to decide whether the vendor's current controls meet organizational and regulatory requirements.
- C
Terminate the contract immediately and select a different vendor.
Why wrong: Terminating immediately without further investigation may be an overreaction. The risks identified are notable but do not necessarily indicate that the vendor is in violation of HIPAA or unable to provide adequate security. A more measured approach, such as requesting updated documentation, should be taken first.
- D
Require the vendor to implement customer-managed keys and provide a new penetration test report within 30 days.
Why wrong: While customer-managed keys and current penetration testing are desirable, the vendor may not be able to support customer-managed keys in their product architecture, and requiring implementation within 30 days is likely unrealistic. This option attempts to treat the risk through a technical control that the vendor may not offer, making it less practical than requesting an existing SOC 2 report.
SY0-701 Security Program Management and Oversight Practice Question
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of security program management and oversight. Compare every option against the stated constraints before choosing — the best answer satisfies all requirements, not just the most obvious one. 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 manager at a healthcare organization is reviewing the results of a third-party vendor risk assessment for a cloud-based email service that will store protected health information (PHI). The assessment reveals that the vendor encrypts data at rest using AES-256 but does not support customer-managed encryption keys. The vendor's data center is located in a country that is not subject to HIPAA jurisdiction. The vendor's previous penetration test report is over 18 months old. Which of the following is the most appropriate risk management action for the security manager to take?
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
Request the vendor to obtain a current SOC 2 Type II report and review the findings before making a decision.
Option B is correct because a SOC 2 Type II report provides an independent assessment of a vendor's controls over security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy over a period of time. Given the vendor's lack of customer-managed keys and outdated penetration test, the security manager needs a current, comprehensive audit report to evaluate whether compensating controls adequately mitigate the risks of storing PHI outside HIPAA jurisdiction. This action allows an informed risk acceptance or mitigation decision without prematurely terminating a potentially compliant service.
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.
- ✗
Accept the risk because the vendor uses strong encryption.
Why it's wrong here
While AES-256 encryption is strong, it does not address the full range of risks, such as the lack of customer-managed keys, the outdated penetration test, or legal/compliance exposure from storing PHI in a non-HIPAA jurisdiction. Accepting the risk based on encryption alone ignores these other critical factors.
- ✓
Request the vendor to obtain a current SOC 2 Type II report and review the findings before making a decision.
Why this is correct
A SOC 2 Type II report provides an independent assessment of a service organization's controls over a period of time, including security, availability, and confidentiality. This is directly relevant for a cloud email service handling PHI. Reviewing this report gives the manager sufficient evidence to decide whether the vendor's current controls meet organizational and regulatory requirements.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Terminate the contract immediately and select a different vendor.
Why it's wrong here
Terminating immediately without further investigation may be an overreaction. The risks identified are notable but do not necessarily indicate that the vendor is in violation of HIPAA or unable to provide adequate security. A more measured approach, such as requesting updated documentation, should be taken first.
- ✗
Require the vendor to implement customer-managed keys and provide a new penetration test report within 30 days.
Why it's wrong here
While customer-managed keys and current penetration testing are desirable, the vendor may not be able to support customer-managed keys in their product architecture, and requiring implementation within 30 days is likely unrealistic. This option attempts to treat the risk through a technical control that the vendor may not offer, making it less practical than requesting an existing SOC 2 report.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may assume strong encryption (AES-256) alone is sufficient for HIPAA compliance, ignoring the broader context of jurisdictional risk, key management, and the need for current third-party audit evidence.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SOC 2 Type II reports are governed by AICPA (American Institute of CPAs) and evaluate controls over a minimum of six months, providing evidence of operational effectiveness. In healthcare, a SOC 2 report with a 'confidentiality' trust service criterion can help demonstrate that PHI is protected even without customer-managed keys, as it assesses encryption key management practices. The outdated penetration test (over 18 months) is a red flag because NIST SP 800-115 recommends annual penetration testing for systems handling sensitive data, and HIPAA's Security Rule requires periodic evaluations of technical safeguards.
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 developer is choosing between AES-256 (symmetric) and RSA-2048 (asymmetric) for encrypting a large file that will be sent to a partner. Symmetric encryption is fast but requires key exchange; asymmetric is slower but solves the key distribution problem. A hybrid approach — encrypt the file with AES, encrypt the AES key with RSA — is standard. Questions like this test whether you understand when each approach applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Security Program Management and Oversight — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Security Program Management and Oversight practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All SY0-701 questions
1,152 questions across all exam domains
- →
Security+ SY0-701 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
SY0-701 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related SY0-701 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
General Security Concepts practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to General Security Concepts.
Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations.
Security Architecture practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security Architecture.
Security Operations practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security Operations.
Security Program Management and Oversight practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security Program Management and Oversight.
Security+ social engineering questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ social engineering questions.
Security+ cryptography practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ cryptography.
Security+ IAM questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ IAM questions.
Security+ risk management questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ risk management questions.
Security+ incident response questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ incident response questions.
Security+ malware questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ malware questions.
Security+ vulnerability management questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ vulnerability management questions.
Practice this exam
Start a free SY0-701 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Security Program Management and Oversight — This question tests Security Program Management and Oversight — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Request the vendor to obtain a current SOC 2 Type II report and review the findings before making a decision. — Option B is correct because a SOC 2 Type II report provides an independent assessment of a vendor's controls over security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy over a period of time. Given the vendor's lack of customer-managed keys and outdated penetration test, the security manager needs a current, comprehensive audit report to evaluate whether compensating controls adequately mitigate the risks of storing PHI outside HIPAA jurisdiction. This action allows an informed risk acceptance or mitigation decision without prematurely terminating a potentially compliant service.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.