- A
Require a screen lock after five minutes of inactivity.
Why wrong: A screen lock helps with casual access, but it does not protect data from drive removal attacks.
- B
Enable full-disk encryption with a hardware-backed key store such as a TPM, preferably with a pre-boot PIN.
Full-disk encryption protects data at rest, and hardware-backed keys prevent the drive from being read outside the original device.
- C
Encrypt only the most sensitive folders with file-level encryption.
Why wrong: File-level encryption leaves other data exposed and is less effective against full-drive theft scenarios.
- D
Rely on remote wipe because the device will usually connect to the internet again.
Why wrong: Remote wipe is useful, but it cannot be guaranteed before an attacker accesses the offline drive.
Quick Answer
The correct choice is full-disk encryption with a hardware-backed key store like a TPM, preferably combined with a pre-boot PIN. This works because the TPM securely stores the decryption key on the laptop’s motherboard, so even if the drive is removed and placed in another system, the key remains inaccessible without the original TPM. Adding a pre-boot PIN introduces a second authentication factor, ensuring that both the physical hardware and the user’s knowledge are required to decrypt the data. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of data-at-rest protection and the difference between software-based encryption and hardware-backed solutions. A common trap is choosing BitLocker without a TPM or relying solely on a password, which can be bypassed by removing the drive. Remember the mnemonic “TPM + PIN = locked-in” to recall that the TPM binds the key to the hardware, and the PIN adds a layer only the user knows.
SY0-701 Security Architecture Practice Question
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of security architecture. 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.
Sales staff use company laptops on public Wi-Fi and travel frequently. The company wants the disk contents unreadable if a laptop is stolen, even if the drive is removed and placed in another system. Which control is the best fit?
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
Enable full-disk encryption with a hardware-backed key store such as a TPM, preferably with a pre-boot PIN.
Full-disk encryption (FDE) with a hardware-backed key store like a TPM ensures that the entire disk contents are encrypted at rest. Even if the drive is removed and placed in another system, the decryption key remains bound to the original TPM, and a pre-boot PIN adds an additional authentication factor, making the data unreadable without both the TPM and the correct PIN.
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.
- ✗
Require a screen lock after five minutes of inactivity.
Why it's wrong here
A screen lock helps with casual access, but it does not protect data from drive removal attacks.
- ✓
Enable full-disk encryption with a hardware-backed key store such as a TPM, preferably with a pre-boot PIN.
Why this is correct
Full-disk encryption protects data at rest, and hardware-backed keys prevent the drive from being read outside the original device.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Encrypt only the most sensitive folders with file-level encryption.
Why it's wrong here
File-level encryption leaves other data exposed and is less effective against full-drive theft scenarios.
- ✗
Rely on remote wipe because the device will usually connect to the internet again.
Why it's wrong here
Remote wipe is useful, but it cannot be guaranteed before an attacker accesses the offline drive.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often choose remote wipe (Option D) because it sounds proactive, but they overlook the critical requirement that the device must be online for remote wipe to work, which is not guaranteed for a stolen laptop that may never connect to the internet.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
File-level encryption leaves other data exposed and is less effective against full-drive theft scenarios.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Full-disk encryption (e.g., BitLocker with TPM) encrypts the entire volume using a symmetric key (the Full Volume Encryption Key, FVEK) that is itself encrypted by the TPM's storage root key (SRK). The TPM seals the key to the specific hardware state, so even if the drive is moved to another system, the TPM will not release the key, and without the pre-boot PIN, the key remains inaccessible. In a real-world scenario, an attacker could attempt a cold boot attack, but a TPM with a PIN mitigates this by requiring authentication before the key is unsealed.
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.
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.
- →
Security Architecture — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Security Architecture practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All SY0-701 questions
1,152 questions across all exam domains
- →
Security+ SY0-701 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
SY0-701 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
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.
General Security Concepts practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to General Security Concepts.
Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations.
Security Architecture practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security Architecture.
Security Operations practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security Operations.
Security Program Management and Oversight practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security Program Management and Oversight.
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.
Practice this exam
Start a free SY0-701 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Security Architecture — This question tests Security Architecture — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable full-disk encryption with a hardware-backed key store such as a TPM, preferably with a pre-boot PIN. — Full-disk encryption (FDE) with a hardware-backed key store like a TPM ensures that the entire disk contents are encrypted at rest. Even if the drive is removed and placed in another system, the decryption key remains bound to the original TPM, and a pre-boot PIN adds an additional authentication factor, making the data unreadable without both the TPM and the correct PIN.
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
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.