- A
Document the evidence identifier, collector, date, time, and location on the chain-of-custody form.
Complete documentation shows who handled the evidence and when, which helps establish a defensible custody history.
- B
Calculate and record cryptographic hashes for the original evidence and the forensic image.
Matching hashes demonstrate integrity and help prove the image was not altered after acquisition.
- C
Place the original device in a sealed, access-controlled evidence locker after collection.
Secure storage limits tampering and preserves the original source for later verification or court review.
- D
Mount the original drive read/write so investigators can search it faster.
Why wrong: Write access can change timestamps or content, which undermines evidence integrity and admissibility.
- E
Rename the image file to match the case number before hashing it.
Why wrong: Renaming is not a custody control and can confuse records if performed before the integrity documentation is complete.
Quick Answer
The answer is to place the original device in a sealed, access-controlled evidence locker, document the evidence identifier, collector, date, time, and location on the chain-of-custody form, and maintain a continuous log of every transfer. This trio of actions is correct because chain of custody evidence preservation requires a verifiable, unbroken trail from collection to courtroom presentation; any gap in documentation or uncontrolled access creates a presumption of tampering, rendering the evidence inadmissible under legal standards like the Daubert or Frye tests. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this concept tests your understanding of forensic procedures and legal admissibility, often appearing in scenario-based questions where a responder must choose between logging details versus simply bagging evidence—a common trap is forgetting to record the collector’s identity or the exact time of transfer. To lock it in, remember the mnemonic “S-L-E”: Seal the device, Log every handoff, and Ensure access control.
SY0-701 Security Operations Practice Question
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of security operations. 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.
A responder has imaged a suspect laptop and needs to preserve the evidence for possible legal action. Which three actions best support chain of custody and admissibility? Select three.
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.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Document the evidence identifier, collector, date, time, and location on the chain-of-custody form.
Option A is correct because documenting the evidence identifier, collector, date, time, and location on the chain-of-custody form establishes a clear, auditable record of who handled the evidence and when. This documentation is essential for proving the evidence has not been tampered with and is admissible in court. Without this detailed logging, the chain of custody is broken, and the evidence may be challenged.
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.
- ✓
Document the evidence identifier, collector, date, time, and location on the chain-of-custody form.
Why this is correct
Complete documentation shows who handled the evidence and when, which helps establish a defensible custody history.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Calculate and record cryptographic hashes for the original evidence and the forensic image.
Why this is correct
Matching hashes demonstrate integrity and help prove the image was not altered after acquisition.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Place the original device in a sealed, access-controlled evidence locker after collection.
Why this is correct
Secure storage limits tampering and preserves the original source for later verification or court review.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Mount the original drive read/write so investigators can search it faster.
Why it's wrong here
Write access can change timestamps or content, which undermines evidence integrity and admissibility.
- ✗
Rename the image file to match the case number before hashing it.
Why it's wrong here
Renaming is not a custody control and can confuse records if performed before the integrity documentation is complete.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may think renaming a file is harmless, but any alteration—including metadata changes—breaks the hash integrity required for evidence admissibility.
Trap categories for this question
Similar concept trap
Renaming is not a custody control and can confuse records if performed before the integrity documentation is complete.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Chain of custody relies on a strict chronological paper trail, often using forms that include timestamps, signatures, and unique evidence IDs. Cryptographic hashing (e.g., SHA-256) creates a digital fingerprint of the original drive and the image; any subsequent change to the image, even renaming, produces a different hash, invalidating the verification. In practice, forensic examiners use tools like FTK Imager or dd with write-blockers to create a bit-for-bit copy, then hash both the source and destination immediately.
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 SOC analyst notices unusual lateral movement in the network at 2 AM. The IR playbook dictates: identify and contain (isolate the affected machine), then eradicate (remove the malware), then recover (restore from backup), then document. Skipping containment before eradication risks the attacker regaining access. Questions like this test the sequence and rationale of incident response phases.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Security Operations — This question tests Security Operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Document the evidence identifier, collector, date, time, and location on the chain-of-custody form. — Option A is correct because documenting the evidence identifier, collector, date, time, and location on the chain-of-custody form establishes a clear, auditable record of who handled the evidence and when. This documentation is essential for proving the evidence has not been tampered with and is admissible in court. Without this detailed logging, the chain of custody is broken, and the evidence may be challenged.
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
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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.
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