The answer is R-104, the risk with the highest likelihood-impact score in the register. This is correct because a standard risk prioritization likelihood impact scoring model multiplies the likelihood and impact values to produce a single severity score; R-104’s product of 5×5 equals 25, the highest in the register, making it the most urgent to remediate. On the CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 exam, this tests your ability to apply quantitative risk analysis, where you must calculate and compare scores rather than rely on qualitative labels like “high” or “low.” A common trap is confusing a high likelihood with a high impact—always compute the product or sum as defined by the model. Remember the memory tip: “Multiply to prioritize—the biggest product gets the quickest response.”
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.
Exhibit
Risk register:
- Scoring model: Likelihood and impact are each rated from 1 to 5; higher total score means higher priority
- R-101: Medium likelihood (3), High impact (4), current control: manual review
- R-102: High likelihood (5), Medium impact (3), current control: none
- R-103: Low likelihood (1), Critical impact (5), current control: compensating detective control
- R-104: High likelihood (4), High impact (4), current control: backup power only
- Business note: Only one risk can be funded this quarter.
Based on the exhibit, which risk should be prioritized first under the company's likelihood-impact scoring model?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Risk register:
- Scoring model: Likelihood and impact are each rated from 1 to 5; higher total score means higher priority
- R-101: Medium likelihood (3), High impact (4), current control: manual review
- R-102: High likelihood (5), Medium impact (3), current control: none
- R-103: Low likelihood (1), Critical impact (5), current control: compensating detective control
- R-104: High likelihood (4), High impact (4), current control: backup power only
- Business note: Only one risk can be funded this quarter.
A
R-101, because manual review means the risk is already partially controlled.
Why wrong: Manual review may help, but the scoring model prioritizes the highest likelihood-impact total, not the most familiar control.
B
R-102, because a cheaper remediation always has priority over a higher total score.
Why wrong: Cost matters, but the exhibit explicitly says the organization uses the likelihood-impact score to set priority.
C
R-103, because critical impact always outweighs likelihood in the matrix.
Why wrong: The exhibit uses a combined score, so low likelihood with critical impact does not automatically outrank every other risk.
D
R-104, because it has the highest likelihood-impact score in the register.
R-104 scores 16, which is higher than the other listed risks under the stated 1-to-5 model. Since the organization can fund only one risk this quarter, the highest scored item should be prioritized first. The current backup power helps resilience, but it does not reduce the fact that this is the largest remaining risk in the matrix.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
R-104, because it has the highest likelihood-impact score in the register.
Option D is correct because R-104 has the highest likelihood-impact score (e.g., 5×5=25) in the risk register, and under a standard likelihood-impact scoring model, the risk with the highest product (or sum) of likelihood and impact is prioritized first for remediation. This aligns with the CompTIA SY0-701 objective of using quantitative risk analysis to rank risks by their overall severity.
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.
✗
R-101, because manual review means the risk is already partially controlled.
Why it's wrong here
Manual review may help, but the scoring model prioritizes the highest likelihood-impact total, not the most familiar control.
✗
R-102, because a cheaper remediation always has priority over a higher total score.
Why it's wrong here
Cost matters, but the exhibit explicitly says the organization uses the likelihood-impact score to set priority.
✗
R-103, because critical impact always outweighs likelihood in the matrix.
Why it's wrong here
The exhibit uses a combined score, so low likelihood with critical impact does not automatically outrank every other risk.
✓
R-104, because it has the highest likelihood-impact score in the register.
Why this is correct
R-104 scores 16, which is higher than the other listed risks under the stated 1-to-5 model. Since the organization can fund only one risk this quarter, the highest scored item should be prioritized first. The current backup power helps resilience, but it does not reduce the fact that this is the largest remaining risk in the matrix.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the misconception that a single factor (like critical impact or low cost) overrides the composite risk score, but the correct prioritization always follows the calculated likelihood-impact product or sum as shown in the register.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In a typical likelihood-impact matrix, each risk is assigned a numeric value for likelihood (e.g., 1–5) and impact (e.g., 1–5), and the product (or sum) yields a risk score used for prioritization. For example, R-104 might have a likelihood of 5 and impact of 5, giving a score of 25, while R-103 might have a likelihood of 2 and impact of 5, scoring only 10. This quantitative approach ensures that risks with the highest combined probability and consequence are addressed first, as per ISO 31000 and NIST SP 800-30 guidelines.
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 security team runs a vulnerability scan on a web application and discovers an unpatched SQL injection flaw. The team prioritises remediation by CVSS score — critical flaws are patched within 24 hours, high within 7 days. Questions like this test whether you understand vulnerability management processes, scanning tools, and remediation prioritisation.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this SY0-701 question in full detail.
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: R-104, because it has the highest likelihood-impact score in the register. — Option D is correct because R-104 has the highest likelihood-impact score (e.g., 5×5=25) in the risk register, and under a standard likelihood-impact scoring model, the risk with the highest product (or sum) of likelihood and impact is prioritized first for remediation. This aligns with the CompTIA SY0-701 objective of using quantitative risk analysis to rank risks by their overall severity.
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: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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