Question 1easymultiple choice
Full question →easymultiple choiceObjective-mapped
An HR assistant should be able to view employee records, but should not have access to payroll administration or IT server tools. Which access model is best for assigning permissions by job role?
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
Best answer
Role-based access control
RBAC assigns permissions based on job functions, which fits users like HR assistants very well.
B
Distractor review
Shared local administrator accounts
Shared admin accounts remove accountability and give far more access than the role requires.
C
Distractor review
Open access for all employees
Open access ignores least privilege and would expose sensitive HR and payroll data broadly.
D
Distractor review
Biometric authentication
Biometrics help verify identity, but they do not define what resources the user may access.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication checks who the user is.
- Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
- Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
- AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
- Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
- Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
- Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
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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?
Authentication checks who the user is.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Role-based access control — Role-based access control is the best fit because permissions are grouped by job function. An HR assistant can be given the specific rights associated with that role, such as viewing employee records, while being denied payroll administration and administrative IT access. RBAC supports least privilege, simplifies onboarding and offboarding, and helps organizations maintain consistent access decisions. Why others are wrong: Shared administrator accounts create excessive privilege and poor accountability. Open access violates least privilege and exposes sensitive systems to everyone. Biometrics are an authentication method, not an access model for deciding which applications or data a person can use.
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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