- A
Preventive control
Why wrong: Incorrect. Preventive controls are designed to stop security incidents before they occur, such as firewalls or access control lists. An IDS does not block traffic; it only monitors and alerts.
- B
Detective control
Correct. A detective control identifies and logs security events after they happen or in real time. The described system passively monitors and generates alerts, which is the hallmark of a detective control like an IDS.
- C
Corrective control
Why wrong: Incorrect. Corrective controls are implemented to remediate or recover from an incident (e.g., backup restoration, patching a vulnerability). An IDS does not take action to fix issues; it only detects them.
- D
Deterrent control
Why wrong: Incorrect. Deterrent controls aim to discourage potential attackers (e.g., warning signs, security cameras). While an IDS can indirectly deter, its primary function is detection, not deterrence.
Quick Answer
The answer is detective control. This system is a classic example of a detective control because it passively monitors network traffic and analyzes packets for signs of malicious activity, generating alerts without actively blocking or modifying any traffic. An Intrusion Detection System (IDS) fits this description perfectly, as it identifies and reports suspicious patterns after they occur or in real time, rather than preventing them. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this concept tests your ability to distinguish between control types: detective controls (like IDS) identify incidents, while preventive controls (like a firewall or IPS) stop them. A common trap is confusing an IDS with an IPS—remember that the “D” in IDS stands for “Detection,” not “Prevention.” For a quick memory tip, think “Detective = Discover, not Defend.”
SY0-701 General Security Concepts Practice Question
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of general security concepts. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 is enhancing its network security posture. The security team deploys a system that passively monitors network traffic, analyzes packets for signs of malicious activity, and generates alerts when suspicious patterns are detected. This system does not actively block or modify any traffic. Which type of security control does this system BEST represent?
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
Detective control
This system is a detective control because it passively monitors network traffic, analyzes packets for signs of malicious activity, and generates alerts without actively blocking or modifying traffic. Detective controls are designed to identify and report security incidents after they occur or as they happen, which aligns with the described behavior of an Intrusion Detection System (IDS). Unlike preventive controls, it does not enforce policy or stop threats in real time.
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.
- ✗
Preventive control
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Preventive controls are designed to stop security incidents before they occur, such as firewalls or access control lists. An IDS does not block traffic; it only monitors and alerts.
- ✓
Detective control
Why this is correct
Correct. A detective control identifies and logs security events after they happen or in real time. The described system passively monitors and generates alerts, which is the hallmark of a detective control like an IDS.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Corrective control
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Corrective controls are implemented to remediate or recover from an incident (e.g., backup restoration, patching a vulnerability). An IDS does not take action to fix issues; it only detects them.
- ✗
Deterrent control
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Deterrent controls aim to discourage potential attackers (e.g., warning signs, security cameras). While an IDS can indirectly deter, its primary function is detection, not deterrence.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) with an Intrusion Prevention System (IPS), mistakenly selecting 'preventive control' because they think any security tool that detects threats also blocks them, but the question explicitly states the system does not block or modify traffic.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This system is an Intrusion Detection System (IDS), which typically uses signature-based detection (matching packet payloads against known attack patterns like Snort rules) or anomaly-based detection (comparing traffic baselines against statistical models). A key subtlety is that IDS operates out-of-band, often receiving a copy of traffic via a SPAN port or network TAP, so it cannot introduce latency or single points of failure. In contrast, an Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) would be inline and actively drop malicious packets, making it a preventive control.
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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
General Security Concepts — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
General Security Concepts practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All SY0-701 questions
1,152 questions across all exam domains
- →
Security+ SY0-701 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
SY0-701 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related SY0-701 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
General Security Concepts practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to General Security Concepts.
Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations.
Security Architecture practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security Architecture.
Security Operations practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security Operations.
Security Program Management and Oversight practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security Program Management and Oversight.
Security+ social engineering questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ social engineering questions.
Security+ cryptography practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ cryptography.
Security+ IAM questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ IAM questions.
Security+ risk management questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ risk management questions.
Security+ incident response questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ incident response questions.
Security+ malware questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ malware questions.
Security+ vulnerability management questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ vulnerability management questions.
Practice this exam
Start a free SY0-701 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
General Security Concepts — This question tests General Security Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Detective control — This system is a detective control because it passively monitors network traffic, analyzes packets for signs of malicious activity, and generates alerts without actively blocking or modifying traffic. Detective controls are designed to identify and report security incidents after they occur or as they happen, which aligns with the described behavior of an Intrusion Detection System (IDS). Unlike preventive controls, it does not enforce policy or stop threats in real time.
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 →
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.
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.