- A
Document a business justification that explains why the plug-in is required for the deliverable.
A justified exception must tie the request to a real business need, not convenience or preference.
- B
Convert the exception into a permanent waiver to avoid repeated review overhead.
Why wrong: Permanent approval defeats exception management and ignores the expectation that exceptions expire and are reviewed.
- C
Set a defined end date and require review before the exception expires.
Time-bounding the exception ensures the risk is revisited and not silently carried forward indefinitely.
- D
Apply compensating controls, such as host isolation, restricted user access, or limiting use to named workstations.
Compensating controls reduce exposure while the exception remains in place, which is essential for risk management.
- E
Allow the requestor to self-approve the exception if the project deadline is urgent.
Why wrong: Self-approval bypasses governance and removes independent review of the associated security risk.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to apply compensating controls, such as host isolation, restricted user access, or limiting use to named workstations, alongside documenting a business justification and obtaining management approval. This is correct because security exception approval requirements demand that any deviation from policy—like using an unsupported browser plug-in—must be formally justified, accepted by management as a calculated risk, and mitigated through compensating controls that reduce the threat surface. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this tests your understanding of risk acceptance and exception management, a common domain where candidates mistakenly focus only on technical fixes or ignore the formal approval chain. A frequent trap is assuming a short-term exception needs no documentation; in reality, every exception requires a clear business case and risk owner sign-off. Remember the mnemonic “JAM” for Justification, Approval, and Mitigation—three pillars that must always be present before any security exception is granted.
SY0-701 Security Program Management and Oversight Practice Question
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of security program management and oversight. 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.
A developer requests a 45-day exception to use an unsupported browser plug-in on two engineering workstations so a legacy design tool can finish a customer deliverable. Which three conditions should be required before approving the exception? Select three.
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
Document a business justification that explains why the plug-in is required for the deliverable.
Option A is correct because documenting a business justification provides a formal record of why the exception is necessary, ensuring that the risk of using an unsupported browser plug-in is understood and accepted by management. This aligns with the principle of risk acceptance, where the business need outweighs the security risk for a limited time. Without a clear justification, the exception could be granted without proper oversight, potentially leading to unchecked vulnerabilities.
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.
- ✓
Document a business justification that explains why the plug-in is required for the deliverable.
Why this is correct
A justified exception must tie the request to a real business need, not convenience or preference.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Convert the exception into a permanent waiver to avoid repeated review overhead.
Why it's wrong here
Permanent approval defeats exception management and ignores the expectation that exceptions expire and are reviewed.
- ✓
Set a defined end date and require review before the exception expires.
Why this is correct
Time-bounding the exception ensures the risk is revisited and not silently carried forward indefinitely.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Apply compensating controls, such as host isolation, restricted user access, or limiting use to named workstations.
Why this is correct
Compensating controls reduce exposure while the exception remains in place, which is essential for risk management.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Allow the requestor to self-approve the exception if the project deadline is urgent.
Why it's wrong here
Self-approval bypasses governance and removes independent review of the associated security risk.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may mistakenly think converting an exception to a permanent waiver reduces administrative overhead, but CompTIA emphasizes that exceptions must remain temporary and reviewed, as permanent waivers bypass the risk management process and can lead to unmanaged security gaps.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In enterprise environments, browser plug-ins often rely on deprecated APIs like NPAPI (Netscape Plugin Application Programming Interface), which modern browsers such as Chrome and Firefox have removed for security reasons. An exception to use such a plug-in typically requires compensating controls like host-based firewalls, application whitelisting, or network segmentation to mitigate the risk of exploitation via unpatched vulnerabilities. The defined end date and review process ensure that the exception is revisited when the plug-in is no longer needed or when a secure alternative becomes available.
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 analyst at a medium-sized enterprise encounters this scenario during an investigation or architecture review. The correct answer reflects best practice for the specific threat or control described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
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 Program Management and Oversight — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Security Program Management and Oversight 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 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: Document a business justification that explains why the plug-in is required for the deliverable. — Option A is correct because documenting a business justification provides a formal record of why the exception is necessary, ensuring that the risk of using an unsupported browser plug-in is understood and accepted by management. This aligns with the principle of risk acceptance, where the business need outweighs the security risk for a limited time. Without a clear justification, the exception could be granted without proper oversight, potentially leading to unchecked vulnerabilities.
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.
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 →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on SY0-701
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. An engineering team requests a 30-day exception to use an unsupported browser plug-in on two workstations so a customer deliverable can be finished. Security agrees the business need is legitimate, but wants to reduce exposure. What must be included before the exception is approved?
medium- A.A verbal approval from the engineering manager and no additional documentation.
- ✓ B.A documented exception with an end date, compensating controls, and approval by the risk owner.
- C.A standing waiver that remains in place until the project finishes, with no review date.
- D.A guideline reminding the team to avoid risky behavior when practical.
Why B: A documented exception with a defined end date, compensating controls, and risk-owner approval is the correct approach. Security exceptions should be controlled, reviewable, and temporary whenever possible. That structure shows the business need was acknowledged while ensuring someone has formally accepted the residual risk and the organization can reassess the exception before it becomes indefinite. Why others are wrong: A verbal approval is not enough for auditability or accountability. A standing waiver without a review date can quietly become permanent and increase exposure. A guideline does not authorize deviation from policy or provide the controls required for an exception process. The question is about formal exception handling, not informal advice.
Keep practising
More SY0-701 practice questions
- An HR analyst must send a salary file to an external auditor. The auditor only needs names, departments, and salary tota…
- An investigator receives a suspect laptop drive that may be used in court. Which approach best supports a forensically s…
- An investigator must collect data from a suspected insider-threat laptop so the evidence could be used in an HR and lega…
- An NDR tool shows a production web server sending small, periodic DNS queries to random-looking subdomains under a domai…
- An investigator needs to make a forensic image of a suspect laptop without changing the original drive contents. Which t…
- An operations team manages Linux servers over SSH. The security team wants to stop direct management access from employe…
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.