Question 1hardmultiple choice
Full question →hardmultiple choiceObjective-mapped
Exhibit
Vendor onboarding packet: - SOC 2 Type I report: issued 14 months ago - Penetration test summary: performed by the vendor's internal security team - Shared responsibility matrix: included - Contract: no breach notification SLA, no right-to-audit clause Business requirement: "We need independent evidence that the vendor's controls were operating effectively during the last six months before procurement approval."
Based on the exhibit, what is the best next request before approving the vendor?
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
Ask for a fresh marketing brochure that describes the vendor's security controls in detail.
Marketing material may be informative, but it is not independent evidence of control design or operating effectiveness.
B
Distractor review
Accept the internal penetration test summary because it proves the controls were tested recently.
An internal summary is not the same as an independent assurance report and does not satisfy the stated evidence requirement.
C
Distractor review
Request only the shared responsibility matrix again, since it covers all security responsibilities.
The matrix is useful for ownership, but it does not prove whether the vendor's controls operated effectively over time.
D
Best answer
Request a current SOC 2 Type II report or equivalent independent operating-effectiveness attestation.
The business specifically wants independent evidence that controls operated effectively during a recent period. A SOC 2 Type II report is designed for that purpose, whereas a Type I report only addresses control design at a point in time. Because the current packet lacks both timely independent assurance and contractual safeguards, the SOC 2 Type II request is the most defensible next step.
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.
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Question 2
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Question 3
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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: Request a current SOC 2 Type II report or equivalent independent operating-effectiveness attestation. — A SOC 2 Type II report is the best fit because it provides independent evidence that controls were not only designed appropriately, but also operated effectively across a defined period. The exhibit shows a Type I report that is over a year old and an internal penetration test summary, neither of which satisfies the organization’s requirement for recent, independent operating assurance. This makes a current Type II report the right next request. Why others are wrong: A brochure is not assurance evidence. An internal penetration test summary is useful input, but it is not independent and does not cover ongoing control operation. The shared responsibility matrix clarifies who owns what, but it does not prove effectiveness. The vendor needs to provide a current independent attestation, not more descriptive material.
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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