- A
Mount the image read/write so the analyst can browse faster.
Why wrong: Mounting the image read/write risks altering evidence and weakens the ability to prove integrity later.
- B
Copy the image to a USB drive for easier transport.
Why wrong: Moving evidence to an unsecured removable drive creates additional handling risk and complicates chain-of-custody tracking.
- C
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
Rename the evidence file to match the case number.
Why wrong: A new filename may help organization, but it does nothing to prove integrity or show continuous custody.
Quick Answer
The answer is to document the transfer in the chain-of-custody log and verify the image hash still matches the acquisition value. This is correct because chain of custody and forensic image integrity are the twin pillars of evidence admissibility; the log provides a verifiable record of every person who handled the evidence, while the hash comparison ensures the image file has not been altered or corrupted since the moment it was acquired with a write blocker. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that imaging is only the first step—maintaining admissibility requires continuous verification, and a common trap is to assume that simply sealing the original drive is sufficient. Remember the memory tip: “Log it, then hash it—before anyone can access it.”
SY0-701 Security Operations Practice Question
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of security operations. 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.
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
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Document the transfer in the chain-of-custody log and verify the image hash still matches the acquisition value.
Option C is correct because before a second analyst accesses the image, the most critical step is to update the chain-of-custody log to document the transfer of custody and to verify the integrity of the image by comparing its current hash value against the original acquisition hash. This ensures that the evidence has not been altered or corrupted since it was first imaged, which is essential for maintaining admissibility in legal proceedings under rules such as the Federal Rules of Evidence.
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.
- ✗
Mount the image read/write so the analyst can browse faster.
Why it's wrong here
Mounting the image read/write risks altering evidence and weakens the ability to prove integrity later.
- ✗
Copy the image to a USB drive for easier transport.
Why it's wrong here
Moving evidence to an unsecured removable drive creates additional handling risk and complicates chain-of-custody tracking.
- ✓
Document the transfer in the chain-of-custody log and verify the image hash still matches the acquisition value.
Why this is correct
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.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Rename the evidence file to match the case number.
Why it's wrong here
A new filename may help organization, but it does nothing to prove integrity or show continuous custody.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the misconception that renaming or copying evidence is a valid step for preservation, when in fact the core legal requirement is maintaining integrity verification and chain-of-custody documentation before any further handling.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
A new filename may help organization, but it does nothing to prove integrity or show continuous custody.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Forensic imaging tools like FTK Imager or dd compute a hash (e.g., SHA-256 or MD5) of the source drive and store it in a sidecar file (e.g., .txt or .hash). When a second analyst accesses the image, they must recompute the hash using the same algorithm and compare it to the original value; any mismatch indicates tampering or corruption. Chain-of-custody logs typically include timestamps, signatures, and a description of the evidence transfer, and are often required by standards like ISO 27037 or NIST SP 800-86 to demonstrate a continuous, unbroken custody path.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Security Operations — This question tests Security Operations — 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. — Option C is correct because before a second analyst accesses the image, the most critical step is to update the chain-of-custody log to document the transfer of custody and to verify the integrity of the image by comparing its current hash value against the original acquisition hash. This ensures that the evidence has not been altered or corrupted since it was first imaged, which is essential for maintaining admissibility in legal proceedings under rules such as the Federal Rules of Evidence.
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 →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on SY0-701
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. After collecting a suspect laptop, the responder makes a bit-for-bit image of the drive. Which two actions best support chain of custody? Select two.
easy- ✓ A.Calculate and record a cryptographic hash of the image.
- ✓ B.Document every evidence transfer with date, time, and handler names.
- C.Browse the original drive on a normal office laptop.
- D.Rename files to make them easier for later review.
- E.Store the image on a shared folder without access controls.
Why A: Option A is correct because calculating and recording a cryptographic hash (e.g., SHA-256) of the bit-for-bit image creates a digital fingerprint that can later be used to verify the image has not been altered. This ensures data integrity, a core requirement for maintaining chain of custody in digital forensics.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 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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