Question 1hardmultiple choice
Full question →hardmultiple choiceObjective-mapped
Exhibit
Security event summary - Malicious attachment passed the email filter - Macro execution was blocked by application control - Process launch was contained by EDR - Stolen password alone could not reach the admin portal because MFA was required - Offline backups were used for recovery testing after the incident
Based on the exhibit, which security principle does the organization appear to be using most clearly?
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
Zero trust, because all access is denied until a user proves identity again.
Zero trust could be part of the design, but the exhibit emphasizes multiple independent safeguards working together. The controls are not only about continuous verification; they also stop threats at different stages, which is broader than a single trust model.
B
Best answer
Defense in depth, because several different controls stop or limit the attack at different stages.
Defense in depth is demonstrated by multiple layers: email filtering, application control, EDR containment, MFA, and backup recovery. The attack is not stopped by one control alone. Instead, each layer provides a separate barrier or recovery path, reducing the chance that a single failure becomes a full compromise.
C
Distractor review
Least privilege, because the attachment was blocked from having administrator rights.
Least privilege concerns giving users and processes only the rights they need. While that idea may help some controls in the exhibit, it does not fully explain the layered approach shown. The dominant theme is that several defenses worked together across the attack path.
D
Distractor review
Need-to-know, because only the security team should be aware of the incident.
Need-to-know is about limiting information access, not about layering security tools. The exhibit describes technical safeguards that intervene at different points in the attack chain. The issue is resilience through multiple controls, not restricted awareness of the event.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication checks who the user is.
- Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
- Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
- AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
- Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
- Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
- Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
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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.
Question 1
A laptop is suspected of being used in a malware incident. It is still powered on and connected to Wi-Fi. What should the responder do before shutting it down?
Question 2
An employee reports a ransomware note on a file server. The server is still powered on, shares are still being accessed, and management wants service restored as quickly as possible. What should the incident response team do first?
Question 3
An employee reports a ransomware note on a finance laptop. The laptop is still powered on, connected to Wi-Fi, and the user says they were just working in a spreadsheet. Management wants the fastest safe response that also preserves evidence. What should the responder do first?
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?
Authentication checks who the user is.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Defense in depth, because several different controls stop or limit the attack at different stages. — Defense in depth is the best answer because the exhibit shows multiple independent controls working together: email filtering, application control, EDR, MFA, and offline backups. No single safeguard is relied on to stop the entire incident. That layered structure is the essence of defense in depth, where one control can fail and another still protects the organization or supports recovery. Why others are wrong: Zero trust and least privilege are useful concepts, but they do not explain the full multi-layered pattern shown in the exhibit. Need-to-know is about information access, not attack resilience. The key clue is the sequence of controls at different stages of the incident, which is a classic defense-in-depth design rather than a single access or identity principle.
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.
Discussion
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