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 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.
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Calculate and record a cryptographic hash of the image.
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.
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.
✓
Calculate and record a cryptographic hash of the image.
Why this is correct
A hash provides a repeatable way to show the image changed or stayed the same.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Document every evidence transfer with date, time, and handler names.
Why this is correct
Transfer logs show who handled the evidence and when, which supports admissibility.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Browse the original drive on a normal office laptop.
Why it's wrong here
A normal office laptop could alter the evidence and weaken the investigation.
✗
Rename files to make them easier for later review.
Why it's wrong here
Renaming files changes their labels, not their integrity or chain of custody.
✗
Store the image on a shared folder without access controls.
Why it's wrong here
An open shared folder can expose evidence and make later handling unclear.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may think browsing the original drive is acceptable if done carefully, but any direct access to the original evidence modifies it and breaks the forensic integrity chain.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
A cryptographic hash function like SHA-256 produces a fixed-size output (256 bits) that is computationally infeasible to reverse or collide. In forensic practice, the hash is computed both before and after acquisition (e.g., using `dd` with `sha256sum`) to confirm the image is an exact clone. Even a single bit change in the image yields a completely different hash, making tampering immediately detectable.
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 SOC analyst notices unusual lateral movement in the network at 2 AM. The IR playbook dictates: identify and contain (isolate the affected machine), then eradicate (remove the malware), then recover (restore from backup), then document. Skipping containment before eradication risks the attacker regaining access. Questions like this test the sequence and rationale of incident response phases.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this SY0-701 question in full detail.
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: Calculate and record a cryptographic hash of the image. — 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.
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: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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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