Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
An HR analyst must send a compensation spreadsheet to an external auditor. The auditor only needs employee names, departments, and salary totals; Social Security numbers and bank account fields are not required. What should the analyst do before sharing the file?
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
Encrypt the spreadsheet and send the full file as-is to preserve all records.
Encryption helps protect data in transit or storage, but it does not address unnecessary exposure of sensitive fields. If the auditor does not need SSNs or bank account numbers, those fields should not be shared at all. Encryption is useful, but it is not a substitute for minimizing the data disclosed.
B
Best answer
Remove or redact the fields the auditor does not need, then share only the minimum necessary data.
Data minimization is the best practice here. The analyst should provide only the information required for the audit and redact SSNs and bank details that are not needed. This reduces the amount of sensitive data exposed to an external party and lowers the impact of any accidental disclosure. It is the most privacy-conscious and operationally sound choice.
C
Distractor review
Store the file in a shared cloud folder and grant the auditor read-only access.
Read-only access does not solve the core issue because the auditor would still see more sensitive information than necessary. Access control alone is not enough when the file contains unneeded personal data. The safer approach is to remove the unnecessary data before any sharing occurs, even with restricted permissions.
D
Distractor review
Convert the file to PDF so the sensitive information is harder to edit.
Converting to PDF changes the format, but it does not remove or protect unnecessary personal information. The sensitive fields would still be visible to the recipient. This option may reduce accidental edits, but it does not support privacy requirements or data minimization.
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.
Related practice questions
Related SY0-701 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Security+ social engineering questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ social engineering questions.
Security+ cryptography practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ cryptography.
Security+ IAM questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ IAM questions.
Security+ risk management questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ risk management questions.
Security+ incident response questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ incident response questions.
Security+ malware questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ malware questions.
Security+ vulnerability management questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ vulnerability management questions.
Security+ security operations questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ security operations questions.
Security+ zero trust questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ zero trust questions.
Security+ authentication factors questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ authentication factors questions.
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: Remove or redact the fields the auditor does not need, then share only the minimum necessary data. — The analyst should redact or remove the sensitive fields the auditor does not need and share only the minimum necessary data. This follows privacy and handling principles by limiting disclosure to the business purpose. Even if the file is protected in transit, sharing unnecessary personal data increases risk without adding value to the audit. Why others are wrong: Encrypting the full file still exposes more data than necessary. Granting read-only access does not limit what the auditor can view. Converting the file to PDF changes the file type but does not reduce the sensitive content. The key issue is not file format; it is limiting the data shared to what is required.
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.
Discussion
Loading comments…
Sign in to join the discussion.