- A
Policy
Why wrong: A policy states intent and high-level direction, but it is usually less specific than mandated technical settings.
- B
Standard
A standard defines mandatory, measurable requirements such as required encryption, timeout values, and approved tools.
- C
Procedure
Why wrong: A procedure describes step-by-step actions to accomplish a task, not the required security posture itself.
- D
Guideline
Why wrong: A guideline is recommended rather than mandatory, so it would not fit a compliance-enforced requirement.
Question 699 of 1,152
Governance Document Types
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of security program management and oversight. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. A key principle to apply: standard. 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 security manager issues a mandatory document that requires all corporate laptops to use full-disk encryption, automatic screen lock after 10 minutes, and approved endpoint protection software. The document will be checked during compliance reviews. Which governance artifact is this?
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
✓
Standard
This document is a standard because it specifies mandatory technical configurations and controls (full-disk encryption, screen lock timeout, endpoint protection) that must be implemented. Unlike a policy, which is a high-level statement of management intent, a standard provides specific, measurable requirements that support the policy. The document is not a procedure (step-by-step actions) or a guideline (optional recommendations). Compliance reviews enforce this standard as a mandatory baseline.
Key principle: Standard
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Policy
Why it's wrong here
A policy states intent and high-level direction, but it is usually less specific than mandated technical settings.
- ✓
Standard
Why this is correct
A standard defines mandatory, measurable requirements such as required encryption, timeout values, and approved tools.
Related concept
Standard
- ✗
Procedure
Why it's wrong here
A procedure describes step-by-step actions to accomplish a task, not the required security posture itself.
- ✗
Guideline
Why it's wrong here
A guideline is recommended rather than mandatory, so it would not fit a compliance-enforced requirement.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap is confusing a policy (high-level mandate) with a standard (specific mandatory technical baseline). Many candidates assume any mandatory document is automatically a policy, but the level of detail (e.g., exact timeout values, encryption type) indicates a standard rather than a policy.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In governance frameworks, a standard defines specific, mandatory technical baselines or configurations (e.g., 'All laptops must use AES-256 encryption with TPM 2.0' or 'Screen lock timeout must be set to 600 seconds via Group Policy'). This document's requirement for 'approved endpoint protection software' implies a specific list of approved products, which is a common characteristic of a standard. Under the hood, standards are often mapped to compliance frameworks like NIST SP 800-53 or CIS Benchmarks, where non-compliance triggers automated remediation or reporting.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Standard
- Policy
- Procedure
- Guideline
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
Standard
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.
Review standard, then practise related SY0-701 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Security Program Management and Oversight — This question tests Security Program Management and Oversight — Standard.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Standard — This document is a standard because it specifies mandatory technical configurations and controls (full-disk encryption, screen lock timeout, endpoint protection) that must be implemented. Unlike a policy, which is a high-level statement of management intent, a standard provides specific, measurable requirements that support the policy. The document is not a procedure (step-by-step actions) or a guideline (optional recommendations). Compliance reviews enforce this standard as a mandatory baseline.
What should I do if I get this SY0-701 question wrong?
Review standard, then practise related SY0-701 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard
About these practice questions
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Same concept, more angles
3 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 security manager is creating a document that requires every corporate laptop to use full-disk encryption, automatic screen locking after 10 minutes, and approved antivirus software. Which two governance artifacts best fit those requirements? Select two.
easy- A.Policy
- ✓ B.Standard
- C.Procedure
- D.Guideline
- ✓ E.Baseline
Why B: Option B (Standard) is correct because a standard defines mandatory technical configurations, such as requiring full-disk encryption (e.g., AES-256 via BitLocker or FileVault), automatic screen locking after 10 minutes, and approved antivirus software. Standards are specific, enforceable baselines that implement the broader intent of a policy, making them the appropriate artifact for these concrete security controls.
Variation 2. A security manager wants every corporate laptop to use the same mandatory settings, including disk encryption, a 10-minute screen lock, and removal of local administrator rights. Which document should define these specific requirements?
medium- A.Policy
- ✓ B.Standard
- C.Guideline
- D.Procedure
Why B: A standard defines mandatory, specific technical requirements that must be uniformly applied across all systems, such as enforcing AES-256 disk encryption, a 600-second screen lock timeout, and removal of local administrator rights. Unlike a policy, which is high-level and goal-oriented, a standard provides the precise configuration settings that implement the policy's intent. This aligns with the CompTIA SY0-701 domain of Security Program Management and Oversight, where standards bridge the gap between policy and technical implementation.
Variation 3. Match each requirement or instruction to the correct governance document type. Use each document type once.
hard- ✓ A.Policy: High-level statement of management intent
- ✓ B.Standard: Mandatory rules that must be followed
- C.Procedure: Recommended best practices, not mandatory
- D.Guideline: Step-by-step instructions for performing a task
Why A: These matches align with common governance document types in IT security frameworks: policy provides high-level direction, standard sets mandatory rules, procedure gives step-by-step instructions, guideline offers non-mandatory recommendations, baseline defines minimum configurations, and framework provides a structured approach.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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