The answer is to rewrap or keep access to the old KEK version until existing DEKs are migrated. This is required because when a key-encryption key (KEK) is rotated, the data-encryption keys (DEKs) that were previously wrapped with the old KEK become unreadable without that original version; if the old KEK is discarded before the DEKs are rewrapped with the new KEK, the backups encrypted under those DEKs are permanently lost. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this concept tests your understanding of key management hierarchy and backup restorability, often appearing in scenario-based questions where a key rotation disrupts decryption of archived data. A common trap is assuming that rotating the KEK automatically updates all DEKs, but in reality, the DEKs remain static and must be explicitly rewrapped or the old KEK retained. Memory tip: think of the KEK as a key ring—if you swap the ring but keep the old one until you’ve moved every key, you never lose access.
SY0-701 General Security Concepts Practice Question
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of general security concepts. 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.
Exhibit
Backup vault policy:
- Backup objects are encrypted with per-job data encryption keys (DEKs).
- A key-encryption key (KEK) named vault-kek-v1 wraps the DEKs.
- vault-kek-v1 will be rotated to vault-kek-v2 tonight.
- Existing backup metadata still points to DEKs wrapped by vault-kek-v1.
- Requirement: all backups from the last 18 months must remain restorable after rotation, with no mass re-encryption window.
Based on the exhibit, which action is required to keep the backups restorable after the key-encryption key rotation?
Backup vault policy:
- Backup objects are encrypted with per-job data encryption keys (DEKs).
- A key-encryption key (KEK) named vault-kek-v1 wraps the DEKs.
- vault-kek-v1 will be rotated to vault-kek-v2 tonight.
- Existing backup metadata still points to DEKs wrapped by vault-kek-v1.
- Requirement: all backups from the last 18 months must remain restorable after rotation, with no mass re-encryption window.
A
Delete vault-kek-v1 immediately so only the newest key remains active.
Why wrong: Deleting the old KEK would break access to any DEKs still wrapped by that key. The exhibit states that existing backup metadata still depends on vault-kek-v1. Removing it before migration would make older backups unrecoverable, which directly conflicts with the restore requirement.
B
Rewrap or keep access to the old KEK version until existing DEKs are migrated.
This is correct because the backups still depend on the old key-encryption key to unwrap their data-encryption keys. During key rotation, the organization must either keep the old KEK available or rewrap the DEKs with the new KEK before retiring the old one. That preserves restore capability without forcing a full mass re-encryption of the backup data.
C
Re-encrypt the entire backup repository with a single shared password.
Why wrong: A shared password is not an appropriate replacement for managed cryptographic keys, and re-encrypting the entire repository would be disruptive. The exhibit uses a proper DEK/KEK model, so the solution should preserve that structure. This option ignores the existing key hierarchy and the need to keep older backups recoverable during rotation.
D
Export vault-kek-v2 into the backup files so each object stores the new key directly.
Why wrong: Storing the new KEK directly in backup files would expose sensitive key material and undermine the whole purpose of key wrapping. Backups should store encrypted data and metadata, not plaintext keys. This would also make key management and rotation much harder, not easier.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Rewrap or keep access to the old KEK version until existing DEKs are migrated.
When a key-encryption key (KEK) is rotated, existing data-encryption keys (DEKs) that were wrapped with the old KEK version become unreadable unless the old KEK is retained or the DEKs are re-wrapped with the new KEK. Option B ensures that backups remain restorable by either keeping the old KEK version accessible or migrating DEKs to the new KEK, maintaining the chain of trust for decryption.
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.
✗
Delete vault-kek-v1 immediately so only the newest key remains active.
Why it's wrong here
Deleting the old KEK would break access to any DEKs still wrapped by that key. The exhibit states that existing backup metadata still depends on vault-kek-v1. Removing it before migration would make older backups unrecoverable, which directly conflicts with the restore requirement.
✓
Rewrap or keep access to the old KEK version until existing DEKs are migrated.
Why this is correct
This is correct because the backups still depend on the old key-encryption key to unwrap their data-encryption keys. During key rotation, the organization must either keep the old KEK available or rewrap the DEKs with the new KEK before retiring the old one. That preserves restore capability without forcing a full mass re-encryption of the backup data.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Re-encrypt the entire backup repository with a single shared password.
Why it's wrong here
A shared password is not an appropriate replacement for managed cryptographic keys, and re-encrypting the entire repository would be disruptive. The exhibit uses a proper DEK/KEK model, so the solution should preserve that structure. This option ignores the existing key hierarchy and the need to keep older backups recoverable during rotation.
✗
Export vault-kek-v2 into the backup files so each object stores the new key directly.
Why it's wrong here
Storing the new KEK directly in backup files would expose sensitive key material and undermine the whole purpose of key wrapping. Backups should store encrypted data and metadata, not plaintext keys. This would also make key management and rotation much harder, not easier.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume deleting the old key immediately is a best practice for key hygiene, but they overlook that existing encrypted data depends on the old key for decryption until re-wrapping occurs.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In envelope encryption, a KEK is used to wrap DEKs, which then encrypt the actual backup data. During key rotation, the old KEK must be retained until all DEKs wrapped with it are re-wrapped with the new KEK, a process often automated by key management systems like AWS KMS or Azure Key Vault. Without this migration, backups encrypted with old DEKs become inaccessible, leading to data loss in disaster recovery scenarios.
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 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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this SY0-701 question in full detail.
General Security Concepts — This question tests General Security Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Rewrap or keep access to the old KEK version until existing DEKs are migrated. — When a key-encryption key (KEK) is rotated, existing data-encryption keys (DEKs) that were wrapped with the old KEK version become unreadable unless the old KEK is retained or the DEKs are re-wrapped with the new KEK. Option B ensures that backups remain restorable by either keeping the old KEK version accessible or migrating DEKs to the new KEK, maintaining the chain of trust for decryption.
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.
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