The correct answers are tracking which files a user opened during a session and recording successful logons in a security log, as both are direct examples of accounting in the AAA framework. Accounting is the component responsible for logging and auditing user actions, such as login times and resource access, to create an audit trail for monitoring and compliance. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this concept tests your ability to distinguish accounting from authentication (who you are) and authorization (what you can do). A common trap is confusing authorization with accounting, but remember that accounting always involves recording or logging an event after access is granted. For a quick memory tip, think of accounting as the “audit log” function: if it tracks what a user did, like opening a file or logging on, it’s accounting.
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.
Which two actions are examples of accounting in AAA? Select two.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Recording successful logons in a security log
Option A is correct because accounting in AAA involves recording user activities, such as successful logons, in a security log. This provides an audit trail for monitoring and compliance. Option C is correct because tracking which files a user opened during a session is a form of accounting that logs resource access for accountability and usage analysis.
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.
✓
Recording successful logons in a security log
Why this is correct
Logging logons creates an audit trail, which is a core accounting function.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Checking a username and password before access
Why it's wrong here
This is authentication because it verifies the claimed identity before access is granted.
✓
Tracking which files a user opened during a session
Why this is correct
Tracking user activity is accounting because it records actions for auditing and review.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Granting access to the finance folder
Why it's wrong here
This is authorization because it decides what a user can access after sign-in.
✗
Requiring a fingerprint and a password
Why it's wrong here
This is authentication because it uses factors to prove the user's identity.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the distinction between authentication (verifying identity), authorization (granting permissions), and accounting (logging actions), so the trap here is confusing authorization actions (like granting folder access) or authentication methods (like multifactor) with accounting, which only records events after they occur.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Accounting in AAA typically uses protocols like RADIUS (RFC 2866) or TACACS+ to send accounting packets (e.g., Acct-Status-Type=Start/Stop) to a server, logging session duration, data transfer, and resource usage. In a real-world scenario, a network access server (NAS) sends accounting records for each VPN session, enabling billing or security audits. A subtle behavior is that accounting can also track command execution in TACACS+ for privileged EXEC mode actions.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this SY0-701 question in full detail.
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: Recording successful logons in a security log — Option A is correct because accounting in AAA involves recording user activities, such as successful logons, in a security log. This provides an audit trail for monitoring and compliance. Option C is correct because tracking which files a user opened during a session is a form of accounting that logs resource access for accountability and usage analysis.
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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Question Discussion
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