- A
Browse the drive directly on the original laptop to identify the most relevant files.
Why wrong: Direct browsing can change timestamps, metadata, and file access artifacts on the original evidence source.
- B
Create a forensic image using a write blocker and record hash values.
A forensic image taken through a write blocker is the best choice because it preserves the original media and reduces the chance of accidental modification. Recording cryptographic hash values before and after acquisition helps prove integrity and supports chain of custody. That combination is standard practice when evidence might be examined in a disciplinary, regulatory, or legal setting.
- C
Email the user asking them to return any copies they may have made.
Why wrong: This might recover assets, but it does not preserve the original evidence or establish a defensible chain of custody.
- D
Mount the drive read-write so searching and exporting data will be faster.
Why wrong: Read-write mounting risks altering evidence and weakens the credibility of any later forensic findings or reports.
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.
You are handed a company laptop suspected in an insider theft case. Legal says the evidence may be needed in court. Which action best preserves admissibility?
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
Create a forensic image using a write blocker and record hash values.
Option B is correct because creating a forensic image with a write blocker ensures the original evidence remains unaltered, preserving its integrity for court admissibility. Recording hash values (e.g., SHA-256) provides a cryptographic fingerprint that can later verify the image is an exact copy, meeting legal standards for chain of custody and authenticity.
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.
- ✗
Browse the drive directly on the original laptop to identify the most relevant files.
Why it's wrong here
Direct browsing can change timestamps, metadata, and file access artifacts on the original evidence source.
- ✓
Create a forensic image using a write blocker and record hash values.
Why this is correct
A forensic image taken through a write blocker is the best choice because it preserves the original media and reduces the chance of accidental modification. Recording cryptographic hash values before and after acquisition helps prove integrity and supports chain of custody. That combination is standard practice when evidence might be examined in a disciplinary, regulatory, or legal setting.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Email the user asking them to return any copies they may have made.
Why it's wrong here
This might recover assets, but it does not preserve the original evidence or establish a defensible chain of custody.
- ✗
Mount the drive read-write so searching and exporting data will be faster.
Why it's wrong here
Read-write mounting risks altering evidence and weakens the credibility of any later forensic findings or reports.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may think direct browsing or read-write mounting is faster and acceptable, but they fail to recognize that any write access—even unintentional—breaks forensic integrity and admissibility in legal proceedings.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
A forensic image is a bit-for-bit copy of the entire storage device, including slack space and unallocated sectors, which may contain deleted files or fragments. Write blockers operate at the hardware or software level to intercept and block any write commands (e.g., ATA commands like WRITE DMA) while allowing read commands, ensuring the original drive is never modified. Hash values (e.g., SHA-256) are computed before and after imaging; if they match, the image is forensically sound and can be used as evidence under rules like the Federal Rules of Evidence 902(13).
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.
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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: Create a forensic image using a write blocker and record hash values. — Option B is correct because creating a forensic image with a write blocker ensures the original evidence remains unaltered, preserving its integrity for court admissibility. Recording hash values (e.g., SHA-256) provides a cryptographic fingerprint that can later verify the image is an exact copy, meeting legal standards for chain of custody and authenticity.
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
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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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