The answer is risk acceptance because the business owner is consciously choosing to tolerate the vulnerability rather than mitigate it immediately. This decision is based on a deliberate risk acceptance vs avoidance analysis: the owner understands the threat is unlikely to exploit the system due to the segmented admin network and lack of sensitive data, so they accept the residual risk until the next upgrade window. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this scenario tests your ability to distinguish risk acceptance from avoidance—avoidance would mean eliminating the risk entirely by removing the system or blocking access, not postponing remediation. A common trap is confusing acceptance with “ignoring” the risk; remember that acceptance requires a documented, informed decision, not neglect. Memory tip: think “Accept and Act” — acceptance means you acknowledge the risk and plan to address it later, while avoidance means you dodge it altogether.
SY0-701 Security Program Management and Oversight Practice Question
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of security program management and oversight. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
A business owner asks whether to proceed with a medium-risk issue on an internal reporting system. The vulnerability is unlikely to be exploited because the system is reachable only from a segmented admin network, and no sensitive data is stored there. The owner wants to postpone remediation until the next planned upgrade window. Which risk treatment is being chosen?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Risk acceptance, because the business is choosing to live with the remaining risk for now.
Option B is correct because risk acceptance is the deliberate decision to acknowledge and tolerate a risk without immediate remediation. In this scenario, the business owner understands the vulnerability is low-likelihood (segmented admin network, no sensitive data) and chooses to postpone fixing it until the next planned upgrade, thereby accepting the residual risk for that period.
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.
✗
Risk avoidance, because the system will be upgraded later.
Why it's wrong here
Avoidance would require removing the risky activity or system entirely, not simply delaying remediation.
✓
Risk acceptance, because the business is choosing to live with the remaining risk for now.
Why this is correct
This is the correct treatment because leadership is knowingly accepting the residual risk until the planned upgrade.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Risk transfer, because the upgrade window shifts responsibility to the vendor.
Why it's wrong here
Transfer would involve contracts or insurance, not a decision to postpone internal remediation.
✗
Risk escalation, because the issue is being sent to the help desk for tracking.
Why it's wrong here
Escalation is a management process, not a formal risk treatment choice in this context.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between risk acceptance and risk avoidance, where candidates mistakenly think postponing remediation equals avoidance rather than a conscious decision to live with the risk temporarily.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Risk acceptance is often documented in a risk register with an explicit acceptance signature from the risk owner, acknowledging the residual risk level. In practice, organizations may use compensating controls (e.g., strict ACLs on the admin network) to further reduce likelihood while accepting the risk. The decision to accept is typically time-bound, with a scheduled review or remediation date to prevent indefinite acceptance.
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 security team runs a vulnerability scan on a web application and discovers an unpatched SQL injection flaw. The team prioritises remediation by CVSS score — critical flaws are patched within 24 hours, high within 7 days. Questions like this test whether you understand vulnerability management processes, scanning tools, and remediation prioritisation.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this SY0-701 question in full detail.
Security Program Management and Oversight — This question tests Security Program Management and Oversight — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Risk acceptance, because the business is choosing to live with the remaining risk for now. — Option B is correct because risk acceptance is the deliberate decision to acknowledge and tolerate a risk without immediate remediation. In this scenario, the business owner understands the vulnerability is low-likelihood (segmented admin network, no sensitive data) and chooses to postpone fixing it until the next planned upgrade, thereby accepting the residual risk for that period.
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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Question Discussion
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