After seizing a suspect's laptop, a responder creates a bit-for-bit disk image using a write blocker. The legal team wants the next step that most directly supports evidence integrity for later review. What should the responder do?
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
Open the image file and browse folders to confirm the contents look normal.
Browsing the image is useful for analysis later, but it does not prove the image has remained unchanged since acquisition.
Best answer
Compute and document cryptographic hash values for the source and the image.
Matching hash values provide a verifiable record that the acquired image has not been altered since collection.
Distractor review
Rename the image file with the case number and store it on a desktop.
Renaming does not establish integrity, and storing evidence on a desktop weakens handling controls and traceability.
Distractor review
Run a full antivirus scan on the image before logging it in.
Scanning can change metadata, adds handling risk, and does not serve as proof that the evidence was preserved intact.
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: Compute and document cryptographic hash values for the source and the image. — After acquisition, the responder should compute and record cryptographic hashes for the original media or verified source and for the forensic image. Hashes such as SHA-256 create a digital fingerprint that can be compared later to prove the evidence has not changed. This supports chain of custody, admissibility, and trust in the investigative workflow. Documentation of when, how, and by whom the hashes were generated is also important for the evidence record. Why others are wrong: Browsing folders, renaming the file, or running antivirus may help with later analysis or housekeeping, but none of those actions prove integrity. In fact, antivirus scanning can introduce changes or complications. Security+ expects the investigator to preserve evidence and document verifiable integrity immediately after acquisition. Hashing is the control that directly answers that need.
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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