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Quick Answer
The answer is conducting periodic security reviews or audits of critical vendors, performing due diligence assessments before onboarding new vendors, and establishing contractual security requirements. These three activities form the backbone of vendor risk management key activities because they create a continuous oversight lifecycle: due diligence evaluates a vendor’s security posture before any data is shared, contractual requirements enforce minimum security standards throughout the relationship, and periodic audits verify that those standards are actually maintained over time. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this concept tests your understanding of the NIST SP 800-161 supply chain risk management framework, and a common trap is confusing initial due diligence with ongoing monitoring—both are required, but the question specifically asks for activities that maintain oversight, which includes periodic reviews. A useful memory tip is the “ABC” mnemonic: Assess before onboarding, Bind with contracts, and Check continuously.
SY0-701 Security Program Management and Oversight Practice Question
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of security program management and oversight. 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 organization is implementing a third-party vendor risk management program. Which three of the following should be included as key activities to maintain oversight of vendor security? (Choose three.)
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
✓
Performing due diligence assessments before onboarding new vendors
Performing due diligence assessments before onboarding new vendors is correct because it allows the organization to evaluate a vendor's security posture, compliance, and risk level before any contractual relationship begins. This proactive step helps identify potential vulnerabilities or gaps that could expose the organization to third-party risks, aligning with the NIST SP 800-161 supply chain risk management framework.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may mistakenly think requiring vendors to use the same password manager is a valid oversight activity, but it is an operational control that violates vendor autonomy and does not fit the definition of key vendor risk management program activities.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Due diligence assessments typically involve reviewing SOC 2 Type II reports, penetration test results, and compliance certifications (e.g., ISO 27001). Including security requirements in contracts and SLAs ensures enforceability of controls like encryption standards (AES-256), incident response timelines, and data breach notification clauses. Periodic security reviews or audits of critical vendors often use standardized frameworks like the Vendor Risk Assessment Questionnaire (VRAQ) or on-site audits to verify ongoing compliance.
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 developer is choosing between AES-256 (symmetric) and RSA-2048 (asymmetric) for encrypting a large file that will be sent to a partner. Symmetric encryption is fast but requires key exchange; asymmetric is slower but solves the key distribution problem. A hybrid approach — encrypt the file with AES, encrypt the AES key with RSA — is standard. Questions like this test whether you understand when each approach applies.
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Security Program Management and Oversight — This question tests Security Program Management and Oversight — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Performing due diligence assessments before onboarding new vendors — Performing due diligence assessments before onboarding new vendors is correct because it allows the organization to evaluate a vendor's security posture, compliance, and risk level before any contractual relationship begins. This proactive step helps identify potential vulnerabilities or gaps that could expose the organization to third-party risks, aligning with the NIST SP 800-161 supply chain risk management framework.
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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