- A
Policy, because it is the broad statement of security intent only.
Why wrong: A policy states the overall rule, but it is usually too broad to list exact technical settings like password length and timeout values.
- B
Standard, because it defines specific required technical values the company must follow.
A standard is the right document when the organization wants specific, mandatory technical requirements. Password length and screen-lock timeout are measurable settings, so they belong in a standard rather than a general policy. Standards make implementation consistent across systems and help administrators configure devices to the same baseline.
- C
Guideline, because it gives optional recommendations for device security.
Why wrong: Guidelines are not mandatory, so they would not be the best choice for required password length or timeout settings.
- D
Memo, because it is the normal formal document for security baselines.
Why wrong: A memo can communicate information, but it does not define a formal, enforceable security baseline for the organization.
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 manager wants to require that all company laptops use at least a 14-character password and lock after 10 minutes of inactivity. Which document should define these mandatory settings?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"least"Why it matters: You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
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
Standard, because it defines specific required technical values the company must follow.
Option B is correct because a standard is the document type that defines mandatory, specific technical requirements, such as a minimum 14-character password length and a 10-minute inactivity lock. Policies are high-level statements of intent, while standards provide the enforceable, measurable parameters that implement that intent. In this scenario, the security manager needs a binding baseline, which is precisely the role of a standard.
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.
- ✗
Policy, because it is the broad statement of security intent only.
Why it's wrong here
A policy states the overall rule, but it is usually too broad to list exact technical settings like password length and timeout values.
- ✓
Standard, because it defines specific required technical values the company must follow.
Why this is correct
A standard is the right document when the organization wants specific, mandatory technical requirements. Password length and screen-lock timeout are measurable settings, so they belong in a standard rather than a general policy. Standards make implementation consistent across systems and help administrators configure devices to the same baseline.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "least" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Guideline, because it gives optional recommendations for device security.
Why it's wrong here
Guidelines are not mandatory, so they would not be the best choice for required password length or timeout settings.
- ✗
Memo, because it is the normal formal document for security baselines.
Why it's wrong here
A memo can communicate information, but it does not define a formal, enforceable security baseline for the organization.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is confusing a policy (broad intent) with a standard (specific, mandatory technical values), leading candidates to choose Option A because they think all security rules are policies, when in fact standards define the enforceable numbers.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In enterprise environments, standards often align with frameworks like NIST SP 800-53 or CIS Benchmarks, which specify exact configuration values (e.g., 'minimum password length: 14 characters' or 'inactivity timeout: 600 seconds'). These values are enforced via Group Policy Objects (GPOs) in Active Directory or configuration profiles in MDM solutions, ensuring every laptop complies. A standard bridges the gap between a policy's high-level goals (e.g., 'protect data at rest') and the technical controls that implement them.
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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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General Security Concepts — study guide chapter
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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: Standard, because it defines specific required technical values the company must follow. — Option B is correct because a standard is the document type that defines mandatory, specific technical requirements, such as a minimum 14-character password length and a 10-minute inactivity lock. Policies are high-level statements of intent, while standards provide the enforceable, measurable parameters that implement that intent. In this scenario, the security manager needs a binding baseline, which is precisely the role of a standard.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "least". You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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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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