Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
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
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
Defragment the original SSD to make later analysis faster.
Defragmentation alters the evidence source and can destroy the very integrity the investigator needs to preserve.
B
Best answer
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
Distractor review
Compress the image file to reduce storage usage before documentation.
Compression does not prove integrity and is secondary to documenting the acquisition and verifying the evidence hash values.
D
Distractor review
Wipe free space on the original SSD to remove deleted remnants.
Wiping the disk modifies evidence and would undermine admissibility by changing the original media after acquisition.
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: Calculate cryptographic hashes of the source and the image and record them. — Hashing both the original media and the acquired image is the most direct way to prove the acquisition preserved the evidence accurately. If the values match, the team can show the image is an exact copy of the source at the time of collection. Combined with documentation and chain of custody records, this supports integrity, repeatability, and admissibility in later review. Why others are wrong: Defragmenting or wiping the drive alters evidence and can damage admissibility. Compression may be useful for storage efficiency, but it does not validate forensic integrity. The critical step after imaging is to verify that the acquired copy matches the source through cryptographic hashing and proper documentation.
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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