- A
Use the provider's default managed encryption keys for the storage service.
Why wrong: Provider-managed keys reduce customer control over key lifecycle and do not best support independent revocation.
- B
Rely on security groups and network ACLs to protect the document contents.
Why wrong: Network controls restrict traffic, but they do not control whether encrypted files can be decrypted.
- C
Use customer-managed encryption keys in the cloud KMS or HSM.
Customer-managed keys give the organization direct control over encryption and key revocation, even while using the provider's infrastructure.
- D
Enable automated snapshots so deleted files can be restored later.
Why wrong: Snapshots help with recovery, but they do not address access control for decrypting sensitive data.
Quick Answer
The correct choice is to use customer-managed encryption keys in the cloud KMS or HSM. This works because customer-managed encryption keys (CMEK) place the key material under the organization’s sole control, meaning the cloud provider cannot access or decrypt the data, and the organization can revoke access at any time by disabling or deleting the keys—without needing to migrate to a different provider. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the shared responsibility model and the difference between provider-managed and customer-managed keys; a common trap is assuming that provider-managed keys (like SSE-S3) offer the same revocation capability, but they do not because the provider retains access. Remember the memory tip: “CMEK = Control My Encryption Keys”—if you hold the keys, you hold the power to revoke.
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.
A team hosts a confidential document repository on an IaaS virtual machine. The provider secures the datacenter, hardware, and hypervisor. The organization wants to control who can decrypt the files and be able to revoke that access without changing providers. Which control is best?
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
Use customer-managed encryption keys in the cloud KMS or HSM.
Customer-managed encryption keys (CMEK) in a cloud KMS or HSM allow the organization to retain control over key material, enabling them to decrypt files and revoke access independently of the cloud provider. This meets the requirement to control decryption and revocation without changing providers, as the provider cannot access the keys. In contrast, provider-managed keys do not offer the same level of tenant-controlled revocation.
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.
- ✗
Use the provider's default managed encryption keys for the storage service.
Why it's wrong here
Provider-managed keys reduce customer control over key lifecycle and do not best support independent revocation.
- ✗
Rely on security groups and network ACLs to protect the document contents.
Why it's wrong here
Network controls restrict traffic, but they do not control whether encrypted files can be decrypted.
- ✓
Use customer-managed encryption keys in the cloud KMS or HSM.
Why this is correct
Customer-managed keys give the organization direct control over encryption and key revocation, even while using the provider's infrastructure.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Enable automated snapshots so deleted files can be restored later.
Why it's wrong here
Snapshots help with recovery, but they do not address access control for decrypting sensitive data.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse network access controls (security groups/ACLs) with encryption-based access control, failing to recognize that only cryptographic controls can enforce decryption revocation independently of the provider.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Customer-managed keys (CMK) in a cloud KMS or HSM use envelope encryption, where a data encryption key (DEK) is encrypted by a key encryption key (KEK) that the customer controls. Revocation is achieved by disabling or deleting the KEK, which renders all DEKs encrypted under it inaccessible, effectively revoking decryption access without needing to re-encrypt data. In a real-world scenario, if an employee leaves, the organization can disable the KEK to prevent any future decryption of documents, even if the VM remains running.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
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: Use customer-managed encryption keys in the cloud KMS or HSM. — Customer-managed encryption keys (CMEK) in a cloud KMS or HSM allow the organization to retain control over key material, enabling them to decrypt files and revoke access independently of the cloud provider. This meets the requirement to control decryption and revocation without changing providers, as the provider cannot access the keys. In contrast, provider-managed keys do not offer the same level of tenant-controlled revocation.
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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