The correct choice is to move the SSID to WPA2-Enterprise or WPA3-Enterprise with 802.1X, device certificates, and MDM-based compliance checks. This solution provides mutual authentication and per-user, per-session encryption, which directly addresses both threats: device certificates can be individually revoked if a laptop is lost, preventing that device from accessing corporate resources, while certificate-based authentication and MDM compliance enforcement block unauthorized devices from joining the network—unlike a shared PSK that cannot be revoked per device. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of enterprise authentication methods versus pre-shared keys, often appearing in a “choose the best security change” exhibit question. A common trap is selecting WPA2-PSK because it seems simpler, but remember that PSK lacks individual revocation and device-level control. Memory tip: “Enterprise = Every device gets its own certificate, so you can kick one out without breaking the rest.”
SY0-701 Security Architecture Practice Question
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of security architecture. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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
Wireless configuration review:
SSID: CORP-WIFI
Security: WPA2-Personal
PSK age: 14 months
NAC integration: Disabled
Allowed devices: Any device with the shared passphrase
Mobile device policy:
- Corporate email is available from personal devices
- Lost-device wipe is not configured
- Device certificates are not issued
Based on the exhibit, which wireless security change best addresses both unauthorized device access and the risk of a lost laptop connecting to corporate resources?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Wireless configuration review:
SSID: CORP-WIFI
Security: WPA2-Personal
PSK age: 14 months
NAC integration: Disabled
Allowed devices: Any device with the shared passphrase
Mobile device policy:
- Corporate email is available from personal devices
- Lost-device wipe is not configured
- Device certificates are not issued
A
Increase the PSK length and rotate it every 30 days.
Why wrong: A stronger shared password helps somewhat, but anyone who learns it still gets access. It does not provide per-device accountability or easy revocation.
B
Move the SSID to WPA2-Enterprise or WPA3-Enterprise with 802.1X, device certificates, and MDM-based compliance checks.
Enterprise Wi-Fi uses individual authentication instead of a shared passphrase, so access can be tied to a specific user or device. Device certificates and MDM compliance checks strengthen control over enrolled endpoints and make it easier to revoke access for lost or noncompliant devices. This is the most secure and manageable architecture shown by the exhibit.
C
Hide the SSID and enable MAC address filtering on the access points.
Why wrong: SSID hiding is only a minor deterrent, and MAC filtering is easy to bypass or spoof. These controls do not provide strong identity assurance or lifecycle management.
D
Keep the current wireless design and rely on a VPN client for all remote access.
Why wrong: A VPN can protect traffic after a device is connected, but it does not solve the weak shared-access model on the wireless network itself. Unauthorized association remains possible.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Move the SSID to WPA2-Enterprise or WPA3-Enterprise with 802.1X, device certificates, and MDM-based compliance checks.
Option B is correct because WPA2-Enterprise or WPA3-Enterprise with 802.1X, device certificates, and MDM-based compliance checks provides mutual authentication and per-user, per-session encryption. This eliminates the risk of a lost laptop connecting to corporate resources (since device certificates can be revoked) and prevents unauthorized device access through certificate-based authentication and MDM compliance enforcement, unlike shared PSK which cannot be individually revoked.
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.
✗
Increase the PSK length and rotate it every 30 days.
Why it's wrong here
A stronger shared password helps somewhat, but anyone who learns it still gets access. It does not provide per-device accountability or easy revocation.
✓
Move the SSID to WPA2-Enterprise or WPA3-Enterprise with 802.1X, device certificates, and MDM-based compliance checks.
Why this is correct
Enterprise Wi-Fi uses individual authentication instead of a shared passphrase, so access can be tied to a specific user or device. Device certificates and MDM compliance checks strengthen control over enrolled endpoints and make it easier to revoke access for lost or noncompliant devices. This is the most secure and manageable architecture shown by the exhibit.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Hide the SSID and enable MAC address filtering on the access points.
Why it's wrong here
SSID hiding is only a minor deterrent, and MAC filtering is easy to bypass or spoof. These controls do not provide strong identity assurance or lifecycle management.
✗
Keep the current wireless design and rely on a VPN client for all remote access.
Why it's wrong here
A VPN can protect traffic after a device is connected, but it does not solve the weak shared-access model on the wireless network itself. Unauthorized association remains possible.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often think hiding the SSID or MAC filtering provides meaningful security, but these are easily bypassed and do not address revocation or per-device authentication, while PSK rotation seems proactive but fails to solve the lost-laptop revocation problem.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
WPA2-Enterprise and WPA3-Enterprise use 802.1X with an authentication server (e.g., RADIUS) to validate each device individually via EAP methods like EAP-TLS, which requires a client certificate. When a laptop is lost, its certificate can be revoked via a Certificate Revocation List (CRL) or Online Certificate Status Protocol (OCSP), instantly blocking that device from associating with any access point. MDM compliance checks add a layer of policy enforcement, ensuring devices meet security baselines (e.g., OS patch level, disk encryption) before granting network access, which is critical in zero-trust architectures.
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 developer is choosing between AES-256 (symmetric) and RSA-2048 (asymmetric) for encrypting a large file that will be sent to a partner. Symmetric encryption is fast but requires key exchange; asymmetric is slower but solves the key distribution problem. A hybrid approach — encrypt the file with AES, encrypt the AES key with RSA — is standard. Questions like this test whether you understand when each approach applies.
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 Architecture — This question tests Security Architecture — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Move the SSID to WPA2-Enterprise or WPA3-Enterprise with 802.1X, device certificates, and MDM-based compliance checks. — Option B is correct because WPA2-Enterprise or WPA3-Enterprise with 802.1X, device certificates, and MDM-based compliance checks provides mutual authentication and per-user, per-session encryption. This eliminates the risk of a lost laptop connecting to corporate resources (since device certificates can be revoked) and prevents unauthorized device access through certificate-based authentication and MDM compliance enforcement, unlike shared PSK which cannot be individually revoked.
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: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
This SY0-701 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the SY0-701 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.