- A
A simple file copy of the user folder
Why wrong: A file copy does not preserve all metadata, deleted data, or disk structures needed for forensics.
- B
A full forensic image taken with a write blocker
This is the best answer because a forensic image creates a bit-for-bit copy of the drive while a write blocker prevents accidental changes to the original media. That combination preserves evidentiary integrity and allows the investigator to analyze the copy safely. It is the standard approach when the original disk may later be needed in court or for formal review.
- C
A compressed archive of the desktop contents
Why wrong: A compressed archive captures only selected files, not the complete disk state or deleted data.
- D
The original drive mounted normally on the investigator machine
Why wrong: Mounting the original drive normally can alter data and weaken forensic integrity.
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.
An investigator needs a copy of a suspect laptop drive for analysis without changing the original media. What should be used?
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
A full forensic image taken with a write blocker
A full forensic image taken with a write blocker is the correct method because it creates a bit-for-bit copy of the entire drive, including all partitions, unallocated space, and metadata, without altering the original media. The write blocker hardware or software ensures that no write commands reach the suspect drive, preserving its integrity for legal and evidentiary purposes. This approach is required by forensic standards such as NIST SP 800-86 and ensures the copy is admissible as evidence.
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.
- ✗
A simple file copy of the user folder
Why it's wrong here
A file copy does not preserve all metadata, deleted data, or disk structures needed for forensics.
- ✓
A full forensic image taken with a write blocker
Why this is correct
This is the best answer because a forensic image creates a bit-for-bit copy of the drive while a write blocker prevents accidental changes to the original media. That combination preserves evidentiary integrity and allows the investigator to analyze the copy safely. It is the standard approach when the original disk may later be needed in court or for formal review.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
A compressed archive of the desktop contents
Why it's wrong here
A compressed archive captures only selected files, not the complete disk state or deleted data.
- ✗
The original drive mounted normally on the investigator machine
Why it's wrong here
Mounting the original drive normally can alter data and weaken forensic integrity.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse a simple file copy or archive with a forensically sound image, overlooking the need for a bit-for-bit copy and write protection to preserve evidence integrity.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
A forensic image is typically created using tools like dd, FTK Imager, or EnCase, which capture every sector of the source drive, including unallocated clusters and slack space that may contain remnants of deleted files. Write blockers operate at the hardware level (e.g., Tableau bridges) or software level (e.g., Linux kernel with read-only mount) to intercept and block ATA/SCSI write commands, ensuring the drive's hash value (e.g., MD5 or SHA-256) remains unchanged before and after imaging. In real-world scenarios, failing to use a write blocker can lead to spoliation of evidence, making the image inadmissible in court.
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: A full forensic image taken with a write blocker — A full forensic image taken with a write blocker is the correct method because it creates a bit-for-bit copy of the entire drive, including all partitions, unallocated space, and metadata, without altering the original media. The write blocker hardware or software ensures that no write commands reach the suspect drive, preserving its integrity for legal and evidentiary purposes. This approach is required by forensic standards such as NIST SP 800-86 and ensures the copy is admissible as evidence.
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
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 →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on SY0-701
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A digital forensics analyst is investigating a suspected insider threat. The analyst has acquired a laptop used by the suspect. The analyst needs to obtain a forensic image of the hard drive without altering any data. The laptop is running and logged into the suspect's user account. Which of the following is the most appropriate first step for the analyst to take?
medium- ✓ A.Pull the power cord from the laptop to immediately shut down the system and prevent any further system writes.
- B.Boot the laptop from a forensic boot CD that loads a write-blocker driver and then create a forensic image.
- C.Perform a live acquisition of the hard drive using a network forensic tool while the system is still running.
- D.Ask the suspect to log off and shut down the laptop normally, then remove the hard drive and image it using a write-blocker.
Why A: Option A is correct because immediately removing power (hard shutdown) stops all system writes and preserves the current state of the hard drive without any further changes. This is critical in forensic acquisition to maintain data integrity and avoid altering evidence, especially when the system is logged in and actively writing to the disk.
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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