- A
Defragment the original SSD to make later analysis faster.
Why wrong: Defragmentation alters the evidence source and can destroy the very integrity the investigator needs to preserve.
- B
Calculate cryptographic hashes of the source and the image and record them.
Matching hashes provide a repeatable integrity check that shows the image accurately reflects the acquired source without alteration.
- C
Compress the image file to reduce storage usage before documentation.
Why wrong: Compression does not prove integrity and is secondary to documenting the acquisition and verifying the evidence hash values.
- D
Wipe free space on the original SSD to remove deleted remnants.
Why wrong: Wiping the disk modifies evidence and would undermine admissibility by changing the original media after acquisition.
Quick Answer
The correct choice is to calculate cryptographic hashes of the source and the image and record them. This action directly validates integrity because a cryptographic hash function, such as SHA-256, produces a unique digital fingerprint for any given data set; if the hash of the original SSD matches the hash of the bit-for-bit image, you have mathematically proven that no bits were altered, added, or omitted during acquisition. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this concept tests your understanding of forensic image integrity verification hash procedures, often appearing in questions about evidence handling and chain of custody. A common trap is assuming that a write blocker alone guarantees integrity—it prevents writes but does not verify the copy’s accuracy. Remember the mnemonic: “Hash to match, catch the catch”—always hash both source and image before closing the case.
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.
An investigator has just created a bit-for-bit image of a suspect's SSD using a write blocker. Before the drive is returned to evidence storage, what action most directly validates the integrity of both the original media and the image?
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
Calculate cryptographic hashes of the source and the image and record them.
Option B is correct because cryptographic hashing (e.g., SHA-256 or MD5) generates a unique digital fingerprint of the original SSD and the forensic image. By comparing the hash values, the investigator can verify that the bit-for-bit copy is identical to the source, ensuring data integrity and admissibility in legal proceedings. This step directly validates that no data has been altered or omitted during acquisition.
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.
- ✗
Defragment the original SSD to make later analysis faster.
Why it's wrong here
Defragmentation alters the evidence source and can destroy the very integrity the investigator needs to preserve.
- ✓
Calculate cryptographic hashes of the source and the image and record them.
Why this is correct
Matching hashes provide a repeatable integrity check that shows the image accurately reflects the acquired source without alteration.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Compress the image file to reduce storage usage before documentation.
Why it's wrong here
Compression does not prove integrity and is secondary to documenting the acquisition and verifying the evidence hash values.
- ✗
Wipe free space on the original SSD to remove deleted remnants.
Why it's wrong here
Wiping the disk modifies evidence and would undermine admissibility by changing the original media after acquisition.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse integrity validation with storage optimization or cleanup tasks, mistakenly thinking defragmentation or compression helps preserve evidence, when in fact they destroy the forensic integrity that hashing alone guarantees.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Cryptographic hashing uses algorithms like SHA-256 to produce a fixed-size hash value from the entire data stream. In forensic practice, the investigator computes a hash of the source drive before acquisition and another of the resulting image file; if both hashes match, the image is a perfect clone. This process is mandated by standards such as NIST SP 800-86 and is critical for chain-of-custody documentation.
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.
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: Calculate cryptographic hashes of the source and the image and record them. — Option B is correct because cryptographic hashing (e.g., SHA-256 or MD5) generates a unique digital fingerprint of the original SSD and the forensic image. By comparing the hash values, the investigator can verify that the bit-for-bit copy is identical to the source, ensuring data integrity and admissibility in legal proceedings. This step directly validates that no data has been altered or omitted during acquisition.
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.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 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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