Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
After a suspicious laptop is imaged with a write blocker, the original drive is sealed and stored. Before a second analyst examines the image, what is the most important next step to preserve admissibility?
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.
A
Distractor review
Mount the image read/write so the analyst can browse faster.
Mounting the image read/write risks altering evidence and weakens the ability to prove integrity later.
B
Distractor review
Copy the image to a USB drive for easier transport.
Moving evidence to an unsecured removable drive creates additional handling risk and complicates chain-of-custody tracking.
C
Best answer
Document the transfer in the chain-of-custody log and verify the image hash still matches the acquisition value.
Chain-of-custody documentation shows who handled the evidence, when it changed hands, and why. Verifying the image hash against the acquisition hash proves the data has not changed since collection. Together, these steps support integrity and admissibility in administrative, HR, or legal reviews. A well-maintained log plus matching hashes is the standard way to show the evidence remained untampered during transfer and analysis.
D
Distractor review
Rename the evidence file to match the case number.
A new filename may help organization, but it does nothing to prove integrity or show continuous custody.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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.
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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
A laptop is suspected of being used in a malware incident. It is still powered on and connected to Wi-Fi. What should the responder do before shutting it down?
Question 2
An employee reports a ransomware note on a file server. The server is still powered on, shares are still being accessed, and management wants service restored as quickly as possible. What should the incident response team do first?
Question 3
An employee reports a ransomware note on a finance laptop. The laptop is still powered on, connected to Wi-Fi, and the user says they were just working in a spreadsheet. Management wants the fastest safe response that also preserves evidence. What should the responder do first?
Question 4
You are handed a company laptop suspected in an insider theft case. Legal says the evidence may be needed in court. Which action best preserves admissibility?
Question 5
A developer wants to reduce the risk of SQL injection in a new customer search form. Which two changes are the best mitigations? Select two.
Question 6
A branch office uses a flat LAN, and a compromise on one user workstation could spread quickly to finance systems. Management wants finance workstations isolated from general users, but finance staff still need access to a central finance application and network printer. What is the best design change?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Document the transfer in the chain-of-custody log and verify the image hash still matches the acquisition value. — Before another analyst examines digital evidence, the team should preserve the audit trail and prove the image is unchanged. That means recording the transfer in the chain-of-custody log and verifying that the forensic image hash still matches the hash captured during acquisition. The hash check confirms integrity, while the custody record shows exactly who had the evidence at each step. Those two controls are critical for admissibility and defensible investigations. Why others are wrong: Read/write mounting can change evidence and undermine integrity. Copying to a USB drive adds unnecessary handling risk and weakens tracking. Renaming the file may improve organization, but it does not prove the image is intact or that every transfer was properly documented.
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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