- A
Data loss prevention (DLP) system
Why wrong: A DLP system is designed to detect and prevent unauthorized data transfers or leaks. It does not record who changed file permissions; it monitors data in motion or at rest for policy violations.
- B
Mandatory access control (MAC)
Why wrong: MAC is a security model that uses system-wide policies to control access to resources, typically based on labels. While it defines who can access what, it does not log or track the history of permission changes.
- C
Audit logging
Audit logging records user actions such as file access, modification, and permission changes. It provides a detailed trail that can be reviewed to identify the account responsible for altering permissions and the exact time of the change.
- D
Host-based intrusion prevention system (HIPS)
Why wrong: HIPS monitors host activities to block suspicious behavior or attacks. It may log security events, but it is not designed to capture routine administrative permission changes; its primary focus is threat prevention.
Quick Answer
Audit logging is the correct choice because it functions as a detective control that records detailed metadata about every permission change, including the account name, timestamp, and exact alteration made to files or folders. When permissions on sensitive HR data are altered, audit logs provide the forensic trail needed to trace the unauthorized modification back to the responsible user account, directly supporting accountability and incident investigation. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this concept tests your understanding of how detective controls differ from preventive or corrective controls—a common trap is confusing audit logging with access control lists (ACLs) or backup restoration, which do not capture who made the change. Remember that audit logging is about recording events after they happen, not blocking them. A useful memory tip: “Audit logs answer the who, what, and when—not the stop.”
SY0-701 Security Operations Practice Question
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of security operations. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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's file server contains sensitive HR data. The security team discovers that permissions on a confidential folder have been altered. Which of the following security controls would MOST likely help determine the account responsible for this change?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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
Audit logging
Audit logging is the correct answer because it records detailed information about who made changes to files and folders, including the account name, timestamp, and the specific permission alteration. By reviewing audit logs, the security team can trace the unauthorized permission change back to the responsible user account. This is a detective control that directly supports accountability and forensic investigation.
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.
- ✗
Data loss prevention (DLP) system
Why it's wrong here
A DLP system is designed to detect and prevent unauthorized data transfers or leaks. It does not record who changed file permissions; it monitors data in motion or at rest for policy violations.
- ✗
Mandatory access control (MAC)
Why it's wrong here
MAC is a security model that uses system-wide policies to control access to resources, typically based on labels. While it defines who can access what, it does not log or track the history of permission changes.
- ✓
Audit logging
Why this is correct
Audit logging records user actions such as file access, modification, and permission changes. It provides a detailed trail that can be reviewed to identify the account responsible for altering permissions and the exact time of the change.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Host-based intrusion prevention system (HIPS)
Why it's wrong here
HIPS monitors host activities to block suspicious behavior or attacks. It may log security events, but it is not designed to capture routine administrative permission changes; its primary focus is threat prevention.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse a preventive control like MAC or HIPS with a detective control like audit logging, failing to recognize that only audit logs provide the specific account attribution needed for this scenario.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
On Windows file servers, audit logging for permission changes is enabled via Group Policy under 'Audit Object Access' and configured with a SACL on the folder. The resulting security events (e.g., Event ID 4670 for permission changes) capture the subject account, object name, and old/new permissions. In a real-world scenario, an attacker who modifies permissions to exfiltrate HR data would leave a clear audit trail, even if they attempt to delete logs, as centralized logging (e.g., SIEM) can preserve the evidence.
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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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: Audit logging — Audit logging is the correct answer because it records detailed information about who made changes to files and folders, including the account name, timestamp, and the specific permission alteration. By reviewing audit logs, the security team can trace the unauthorized permission change back to the responsible user account. This is a detective control that directly supports accountability and forensic investigation.
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: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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
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