- A
Defense in depth
Why wrong: Defense in depth refers to layering multiple security controls (e.g., firewalls, antivirus, encryption). While this policy adds a layer of control, its primary purpose is not layering but enforcing a division of authority.
- B
Separation of duties
Correct. Separation of duties ensures that no single person has exclusive authority over critical functions. By splitting approval and execution between two administrators, the risk of unauthorized or malicious changes is significantly reduced.
- C
Least privilege
Why wrong: Least privilege limits users to only the permissions they need to perform their job. This policy does not necessarily reduce permissions; it divides the steps required to make a change among multiple people.
- D
Need to know
Why wrong: Need to know restricts access to sensitive data based on whether it is required for a specific job function. The described policy governs actions (approving and executing changes) rather than data access.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is separation of duties, a core security principle that divides critical processes among multiple individuals to prevent any single person from having excessive control. This practice is designed to enforce checks and balances by requiring two different system administrators to approve and then execute changes to the core transaction processing database, thereby reducing the risk of fraud, error, or unauthorized modifications. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this principle often appears in scenarios involving financial institutions or sensitive data, testing your ability to distinguish it from concepts like least privilege or dual control—a common trap is confusing it with simply having two people work together, whereas separation of duties specifically splits approval from execution. Remember the memory tip: “One person can’t both write and cash the check.”
SY0-701 General Security Concepts Practice Question
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of general security concepts. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 financial institution updates its access control policy to require that two different system administrators must approve and execute any changes to the core transaction processing database. Which security principle is this practice primarily designed to enforce?
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
Separation of duties
Requiring two different system administrators to approve and execute changes to the core transaction processing database enforces separation of duties. This principle ensures that no single individual has the authority to perform both the approval and execution steps, reducing the risk of fraud, error, or unauthorized modifications. In a financial institution, this is critical for maintaining the integrity of transaction data and complying with regulatory standards like SOX or PCI DSS.
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.
- ✗
Defense in depth
Why it's wrong here
Defense in depth refers to layering multiple security controls (e.g., firewalls, antivirus, encryption). While this policy adds a layer of control, its primary purpose is not layering but enforcing a division of authority.
- ✓
Separation of duties
Why this is correct
Correct. Separation of duties ensures that no single person has exclusive authority over critical functions. By splitting approval and execution between two administrators, the risk of unauthorized or malicious changes is significantly reduced.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Least privilege
Why it's wrong here
Least privilege limits users to only the permissions they need to perform their job. This policy does not necessarily reduce permissions; it divides the steps required to make a change among multiple people.
- ✗
Need to know
Why it's wrong here
Need to know restricts access to sensitive data based on whether it is required for a specific job function. The described policy governs actions (approving and executing changes) rather than data access.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse separation of duties with least privilege, but least privilege focuses on limiting permissions per role, while separation of duties divides a critical process across multiple roles to prevent conflicts of interest.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Separation of duties is often implemented using role-based access control (RBAC) with distinct roles such as 'Change Approver' and 'Change Executor,' enforced by access control lists (ACLs) or database-level permissions. In a real-world scenario, a database management system (DBMS) like Oracle or SQL Server can use audit trails and stored procedures to log each admin's actions, ensuring non-repudiation and compliance with frameworks like NIST SP 800-53. This prevents a single compromised account from making unauthorized changes to sensitive financial records.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
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: Separation of duties — Requiring two different system administrators to approve and execute changes to the core transaction processing database enforces separation of duties. This principle ensures that no single individual has the authority to perform both the approval and execution steps, reducing the risk of fraud, error, or unauthorized modifications. In a financial institution, this is critical for maintaining the integrity of transaction data and complying with regulatory standards like SOX or PCI DSS.
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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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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