Question 1hardmulti select
Full question →hardmulti selectObjective-mapped
In the finance workflow, one employee can create a payment batch but cannot approve it, and the same person also cannot view employee records that are unrelated to the task. Which two principles are being enforced? Select two.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
Best answer
Separation of duties, because creation and approval are split between different roles.
Splitting initiation and approval reduces the chance that one person can commit fraud alone.
B
Best answer
Need-to-know, because the employee sees only records relevant to the assigned finance task.
Access is limited to information necessary for the job, not to unrelated employee records.
C
Distractor review
Least privilege, because every user should have no more than one permission overall.
Least privilege is broader than a single-permission rule and is not the specific control being emphasized.
D
Distractor review
Defense in depth, because multiple security technologies are layered around the finance system.
No layered technical stack is described; the item focuses on role and information restrictions.
E
Distractor review
Zero trust, because the employee must always be treated as untrusted by the network.
Zero trust may influence access design, but the key issue here is role separation and data scoping.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication checks who the user is.
- Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
- Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
- AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
- Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
- Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
- Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
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.
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.
Security+ security operations questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ security operations questions.
Security+ zero trust questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ zero trust questions.
Security+ authentication factors questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ authentication factors questions.
More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A laptop is suspected of being used in a malware incident. It is still powered on and connected to Wi-Fi. What should the responder do before shutting it down?
Question 2
An employee reports a ransomware note on a file server. The server is still powered on, shares are still being accessed, and management wants service restored as quickly as possible. What should the incident response team do first?
Question 3
An employee reports a ransomware note on a finance laptop. The laptop is still powered on, connected to Wi-Fi, and the user says they were just working in a spreadsheet. Management wants the fastest safe response that also preserves evidence. What should the responder do first?
Question 4
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?
Question 5
A developer wants to reduce the risk of SQL injection in a new customer search form. Which two changes are the best mitigations? Select two.
Question 6
A branch office uses a flat LAN, and a compromise on one user workstation could spread quickly to finance systems. Management wants finance workstations isolated from general users, but finance staff still need access to a central finance application and network printer. What is the best design change?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Authentication checks who the user is.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Separation of duties, because creation and approval are split between different roles. — This workflow enforces separation of duties by ensuring the same person cannot both create and approve a payment batch, which helps reduce fraud and accidental misuse. It also enforces need-to-know by limiting access to only the employee records relevant to the task. Those two principles work together: one protects the integrity of the approval process, and the other limits unnecessary visibility into data outside the user's role. Why others are wrong: Least privilege is related, but the item is specifically about splitting incompatible duties and limiting visibility to task-relevant records. Defense in depth would require multiple technical layers, which the scenario does not describe. Zero trust is a valid design philosophy, but it is not the most precise answer for a finance workflow built around role separation and data relevance.
What should I do if I get this SY0-701 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
Discussion
Loading comments…
Sign in to join the discussion.