- A
Place the device in a tamper-evident evidence bag or seal
A tamper-evident seal helps prove whether the evidence package was opened or altered.
- B
Document the device serial number, date, time, collector, and each handoff
Detailed transfer records show who possessed the evidence and when possession changed.
- C
Leave the device unsealed so legal staff can inspect it quickly
Why wrong: Unsealed evidence is easier to tamper with and weakens the chain of custody record.
- D
Boot the laptop to confirm the user’s files are still present
Why wrong: Booting changes the device state and can destroy useful forensic evidence.
- E
Use a personal note app instead of formal transfer documentation
Why wrong: Informal notes are not sufficient for defensible evidence handling or auditability.
Quick Answer
The correct actions are to document the device serial number, date, time, collector, and each handoff, and to place the device in a tamper-evident evidence bag or seal. These two steps are essential because chain of custody during evidence transport requires both a clear, unbroken paper trail and a physical safeguard against unauthorized access. The documentation creates a verifiable log of every person who handled the evidence, while the tamper-evident bag provides immediate visual proof if the evidence has been compromised. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this concept tests your understanding of evidence integrity and admissibility, often appearing in scenario-based questions about forensic procedures. A common trap is choosing only one control—either documentation or physical sealing—when both are required for a complete chain. Remember the mnemonic “Tag and Bag”: always tag the evidence with a detailed log and bag it in a tamper-evident container.
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 company-owned laptop is being transferred from the incident site to the evidence locker for a theft investigation. Which two actions best support chain of custody during transport? Select two.
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
Place the device in a tamper-evident evidence bag or seal
Option A is correct because placing the device in a tamper-evident evidence bag or seal provides a physical barrier that immediately reveals any unauthorized access during transport. This is a foundational chain-of-custody control that preserves the integrity of the evidence by making tampering detectable, which is critical for admissibility in legal proceedings.
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.
- ✓
Place the device in a tamper-evident evidence bag or seal
Why this is correct
A tamper-evident seal helps prove whether the evidence package was opened or altered.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Document the device serial number, date, time, collector, and each handoff
Why this is correct
Detailed transfer records show who possessed the evidence and when possession changed.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Leave the device unsealed so legal staff can inspect it quickly
Why it's wrong here
Unsealed evidence is easier to tamper with and weakens the chain of custody record.
- ✗
Boot the laptop to confirm the user’s files are still present
Why it's wrong here
Booting changes the device state and can destroy useful forensic evidence.
- ✗
Use a personal note app instead of formal transfer documentation
Why it's wrong here
Informal notes are not sufficient for defensible evidence handling or auditability.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may think booting the laptop is necessary to verify data presence, but this action actually violates forensic preservation principles by altering the system state and potentially destroying evidence.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Chain of custody relies on a documented, unbroken trail of control; each handoff must be logged with a signature, timestamp, and description of the evidence's condition. Tamper-evident seals use unique serial numbers or patterns that cannot be replicated, so any break or reapplication is easily identified. In forensic transport, the device should remain powered off (or in a Faraday bag if wireless is a concern) to prevent remote wiping or data alteration.
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: Place the device in a tamper-evident evidence bag or seal — Option A is correct because placing the device in a tamper-evident evidence bag or seal provides a physical barrier that immediately reveals any unauthorized access during transport. This is a foundational chain-of-custody control that preserves the integrity of the evidence by making tampering detectable, which is critical for admissibility in legal proceedings.
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.
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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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