A team hosts a confidential document repository on an IaaS virtual machine. The provider secures the datacenter, hardware, and hypervisor. The organization wants to control who can decrypt the files and be able to revoke that access without changing providers. Which control is best?
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.
Distractor review
Use the provider's default managed encryption keys for the storage service.
Provider-managed keys reduce customer control over key lifecycle and do not best support independent revocation.
Distractor review
Rely on security groups and network ACLs to protect the document contents.
Network controls restrict traffic, but they do not control whether encrypted files can be decrypted.
Best answer
Use customer-managed encryption keys in the cloud KMS or HSM.
Customer-managed keys give the organization direct control over encryption and key revocation, even while using the provider's infrastructure.
Distractor review
Enable automated snapshots so deleted files can be restored later.
Snapshots help with recovery, but they do not address access control for decrypting sensitive data.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
- The first matching ACL entry is used.
- There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
- Check inbound versus outbound direction.
- Read the ACL from top to bottom.
- Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
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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
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Question 2
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Question 3
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Question 4
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Question 5
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Question 6
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use customer-managed encryption keys in the cloud KMS or HSM. — Customer-managed encryption keys are the best fit because the organization retains control of the key lifecycle, including rotation, disablement, and revocation. In a cloud shared-responsibility model, the provider protects the physical and virtualization layers, while the customer remains responsible for protecting data and deciding who can decrypt it. If a key is disabled, access to the protected data can be cut off without moving platforms or changing providers. Why others are wrong: Provider-managed keys are convenient, but they limit customer control over decryption decisions. Security groups and ACLs are useful for network filtering, yet they do not protect the confidentiality of stored file contents. Snapshots support backup and restore, but they do not solve the core requirement of controlling decryption rights.
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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