- A
Open the image file and browse folders to confirm the contents look normal.
Why wrong: Browsing the image is useful for analysis later, but it does not prove the image has remained unchanged since acquisition.
- B
Compute and document cryptographic hash values for the source and the image.
Matching hash values provide a verifiable record that the acquired image has not been altered since collection.
- C
Rename the image file with the case number and store it on a desktop.
Why wrong: Renaming does not establish integrity, and storing evidence on a desktop weakens handling controls and traceability.
- D
Run a full antivirus scan on the image before logging it in.
Why wrong: Scanning can change metadata, adds handling risk, and does not serve as proof that the evidence was preserved intact.
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.
After seizing a suspect's laptop, a responder creates a bit-for-bit disk image using a write blocker. The legal team wants the next step that most directly supports evidence integrity for later review. What should the responder do?
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
Compute and document cryptographic hash values for the source and the image.
Computing and documenting cryptographic hash values (e.g., SHA-256 or MD5) for both the source drive and the bit-for-bit image creates a digital fingerprint. If the hashes match, it proves the image is an exact, unaltered copy of the original evidence, directly supporting integrity for later review. This step is foundational in forensic acquisition to meet legal standards for admissibility.
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.
- ✗
Open the image file and browse folders to confirm the contents look normal.
Why it's wrong here
Browsing the image is useful for analysis later, but it does not prove the image has remained unchanged since acquisition.
- ✓
Compute and document cryptographic hash values for the source and the image.
Why this is correct
Matching hash values provide a verifiable record that the acquired image has not been altered since collection.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Rename the image file with the case number and store it on a desktop.
Why it's wrong here
Renaming does not establish integrity, and storing evidence on a desktop weakens handling controls and traceability.
- ✗
Run a full antivirus scan on the image before logging it in.
Why it's wrong here
Scanning can change metadata, adds handling risk, and does not serve as proof that the evidence was preserved intact.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may think browsing the image is harmless or that antivirus scans are always safe, but the exam tests the strict forensic requirement to never modify original evidence and to use hashing as the sole direct integrity check.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Cryptographic hashing uses algorithms like SHA-256 (per NIST SP 800-86) to produce a fixed-size digest from the entire bitstream. Even a single bit change in the source or image yields a completely different hash (avalanche effect), making it the gold standard for integrity verification. In real-world litigation, failure to document hashes at acquisition can lead to evidence being excluded under Daubert or Frye standards.
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 security team runs a vulnerability scan on a web application and discovers an unpatched SQL injection flaw. The team prioritises remediation by CVSS score — critical flaws are patched within 24 hours, high within 7 days. Questions like this test whether you understand vulnerability management processes, scanning tools, and remediation prioritisation.
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: Compute and document cryptographic hash values for the source and the image. — Computing and documenting cryptographic hash values (e.g., SHA-256 or MD5) for both the source drive and the bit-for-bit image creates a digital fingerprint. If the hashes match, it proves the image is an exact, unaltered copy of the original evidence, directly supporting integrity for later review. This step is foundational in forensic acquisition to meet legal standards for admissibility.
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.
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
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