Question 1hardmultiple choice
Full question →hardmultiple choiceObjective-mapped
Exhibit
VPN and application audit 08:04 user rpatel authenticated from home laptop 08:05 VPN tunnel established 08:06 request: GET /finance/q4-forecast.xlsx 08:06 policy: allowed because prior login within 12 hours 08:07 note: device posture not checked; no step-up MFA
Based on the exhibit, which security principle should the team strengthen to reduce the chance that stolen credentials alone provide access to sensitive data?
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 the user should only have the minimum file permissions needed.
Least privilege is important, but the exhibit shows the bigger issue is trust being granted after one successful login. The user is not receiving excessive file permissions inside the application; instead, the access decision is too permissive over time and location.
B
Best answer
Zero trust, because every request should be re-evaluated instead of relying on the earlier VPN login.
Zero trust fits the exhibit because access is being allowed based on an earlier authentication event and network location alone. A zero-trust design would re-evaluate each request using factors such as device health, identity, and context instead of assuming the session is safe for 12 hours.
C
Distractor review
Need-to-know, because all finance data should be hidden from anyone outside the department.
Need-to-know limits information to what a person requires for their role, but the exhibit is focused on stale trust decisions after authentication. The problem is not only who can know the data; it is that the session remains trusted without rechecking the user or device.
D
Distractor review
Defense in depth, because multiple layers are always better than one control.
Defense in depth is a valuable design idea, but this exhibit highlights a trust model problem rather than missing layers. The environment already has a VPN and application controls; the weakness is that one login is being treated as sufficient for continued access.
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 every request should be re-evaluated instead of relying on the earlier VPN login. — Zero trust is the best answer because the exhibit shows access continuing after a single initial login, with no device posture check or step-up verification. That means the organization is trusting the session instead of validating each request. In a zero-trust model, identity, device health, and context are continuously assessed so stolen credentials or a hijacked session do not automatically grant ongoing access. Why others are wrong: Least privilege and need-to-know are important access principles, but they do not address the exhibit’s main issue: excessive trust in an already authenticated session. Defense in depth is about multiple layers of protection, yet the core weakness here is the trust decision itself. The best fix is to stop assuming the earlier VPN login is enough and require ongoing verification.
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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