Question 1hardmultiple choice
Full question →hardmultiple choiceObjective-mapped
Exhibit
Current access model: - Any laptop on the corporate VPN can reach 10.8.40.15:443. - The VPN checks device compliance only when the tunnel is created. - After login, the session remains valid for 12 hours. - Users can access the finance app from any managed or unmanaged device once connected. Security proposal: - Reevaluate device posture before each sensitive transaction. - Grant only application-specific access, not subnet-wide access. - Require MFA again if device risk changes during the session.
Based on the exhibit, which security principle is the proposed access model most aligned with?
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
Least privilege, because users are being limited to only the finance application they need.
Least privilege is part of the proposal, but it does not fully capture the repeated trust checks and dynamic access decisions. The exhibit emphasizes that device posture, session risk, and authentication state are continuously reconsidered. That behavior goes beyond simple permission reduction and reflects an architecture that assumes no implicit trust from network location or initial login.
B
Best answer
Zero trust, because access is continuously evaluated instead of trusted just because the device is on the VPN.
Zero trust is the best answer because the proposal removes implicit trust based on VPN membership or internal network location. Instead, access is evaluated repeatedly using device posture, MFA, and transaction context. That means the environment assumes every request may be risky until verified, which is the core idea behind zero trust architecture and conditional access.
C
Distractor review
Defense in depth, because the company is adding multiple security layers around the finance app.
Defense in depth does involve multiple layers, and this design certainly uses them. However, the central idea in the exhibit is not just layering controls; it is refusing to trust the session simply because it started on a managed network. The repeated validation and per-request access decisions are what make zero trust the better fit.
D
Distractor review
Need-to-know, because users should only see the finance data required for their jobs.
Need-to-know limits information exposure, but the proposal is focused on when and how access is granted, especially after device risk changes. The issue is not just data visibility; it is the assumption of trust after VPN login. Continuous revalidation of identity and device state is a zero trust concept, not merely a need-to-know rule.
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: Zero trust, because access is continuously evaluated instead of trusted just because the device is on the VPN. — Zero trust is the correct principle because the proposal removes the assumption that a VPN connection equals a trusted user or device. Instead, it reevaluates risk at each sensitive action, requires MFA again when posture changes, and limits access to the specific application. This approach treats the network as untrusted by default and verifies every request based on current context. Why others are wrong: Least privilege and need-to-know are useful supporting ideas, but they do not explain the continuous verification in the exhibit. Defense in depth describes multiple layers, yet the defining behavior here is dynamic trust evaluation rather than just more layers. The scenario is specifically about not trusting a device simply because it is already connected.
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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