- A
Use a hardware write blocker during acquisition so the original disk cannot be modified.
A write blocker prevents accidental or intentional writes to the original media during imaging. That is one of the most important controls for protecting evidence integrity. It helps show that the original drive remained unchanged while the forensic image was created.
- B
Record cryptographic hash values for both the original media and the forensic image.
Matching hashes provide strong proof that the image accurately represents the source data and that the source was not altered during acquisition. This is a standard integrity check in forensic workflows and is especially important if evidence may be presented later in court.
- C
Document every transfer of the laptop, including who had custody, when, and why.
Chain-of-custody records establish who handled the evidence from collection through analysis and storage. That documentation supports admissibility by showing continuity, accountability, and controlled access. It is just as important as the technical acquisition steps.
- D
Browse the original disk using the operating system file explorer to confirm the case folder is present.
Why wrong: Opening the original drive through the OS can alter metadata, update access times, or otherwise modify the evidence. It defeats the purpose of using forensically sound acquisition methods and should be avoided.
- E
Store the suspect drive and the forensic copy in the same unlocked folder to simplify access.
Why wrong: Co-locating original evidence and working copies without access controls weakens custody tracking and increases the risk of accidental modification. Evidence should be secured separately with clear handling controls and restricted access.
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 receives a suspect laptop that may be needed in court. The goal is to create a forensic image without changing the original drive contents. Which three actions best support chain of custody and evidence integrity? Select three.
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
Use a hardware write blocker during acquisition so the original disk cannot be modified.
A hardware write blocker is essential because it physically prevents any write commands from reaching the suspect drive at the SATA/IDE or USB level, ensuring the original disk's contents remain unaltered during acquisition. This is a foundational requirement for maintaining evidence integrity in forensic imaging, as any modification could render the evidence inadmissible in court.
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.
- ✓
Use a hardware write blocker during acquisition so the original disk cannot be modified.
Why this is correct
A write blocker prevents accidental or intentional writes to the original media during imaging. That is one of the most important controls for protecting evidence integrity. It helps show that the original drive remained unchanged while the forensic image was created.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Record cryptographic hash values for both the original media and the forensic image.
Why this is correct
Matching hashes provide strong proof that the image accurately represents the source data and that the source was not altered during acquisition. This is a standard integrity check in forensic workflows and is especially important if evidence may be presented later in court.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Document every transfer of the laptop, including who had custody, when, and why.
Why this is correct
Chain-of-custody records establish who handled the evidence from collection through analysis and storage. That documentation supports admissibility by showing continuity, accountability, and controlled access. It is just as important as the technical acquisition steps.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Browse the original disk using the operating system file explorer to confirm the case folder is present.
Why it's wrong here
Opening the original drive through the OS can alter metadata, update access times, or otherwise modify the evidence. It defeats the purpose of using forensically sound acquisition methods and should be avoided.
- ✗
Store the suspect drive and the forensic copy in the same unlocked folder to simplify access.
Why it's wrong here
Co-locating original evidence and working copies without access controls weakens custody tracking and increases the risk of accidental modification. Evidence should be secured separately with clear handling controls and restricted access.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may think browsing the original disk is harmless or that storing evidence together is convenient, but both actions violate core forensic principles of preserving original evidence and maintaining a clear chain of custody.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Forensic imaging tools like FTK Imager or dd rely on write-blockers to enforce read-only access at the hardware level; without this, even a simple OS mount can trigger write operations (e.g., journal updates, prefetch files). Cryptographic hash verification using SHA-256 or SHA-512 ensures bit-for-bit integrity between the original and the image, and these hashes are often recorded in the forensic report and submitted as evidence. Chain of custody documentation must include timestamps, purpose of transfer, and signatures to satisfy legal standards such as Federal Rule of Evidence 901.
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
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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: Use a hardware write blocker during acquisition so the original disk cannot be modified. — A hardware write blocker is essential because it physically prevents any write commands from reaching the suspect drive at the SATA/IDE or USB level, ensuring the original disk's contents remain unaltered during acquisition. This is a foundational requirement for maintaining evidence integrity in forensic imaging, as any modification could render the evidence inadmissible in court.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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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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