- A
The system checks a password and a one-time code before allowing access.
Why wrong: That is authentication, because it verifies that the person is really the user they claim to be.
- B
The system records the username, timestamp, and files opened during the session.
Accounting is the tracking and logging part of AAA. Recording the username, timestamp, and accessed files creates an audit trail that can be reviewed later for investigations, compliance, or troubleshooting. Good accounting data helps organizations understand who did what, when it happened, and what resources were affected.
- C
The system grants access to the finance folder after the user is approved.
Why wrong: Granting access is authorization, because it determines what a user may do after identity has been established.
- D
The system forces the user to change their password after 90 days.
Why wrong: That is a password policy enforcement action, not the accounting part of AAA. It affects how access is managed, not how activity is logged.
Quick Answer
The answer is that the system recording the username, timestamp, and files opened during the session is the best example of accounting in AAA. This is correct because accounting in the AAA framework is specifically about tracking user actions and resource usage, creating a detailed audit trail for monitoring and compliance. Unlike authentication, which verifies identity, or authorization, which grants permissions, accounting captures what the user actually did—such as which files were accessed and when. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this concept tests your ability to distinguish the three A’s, often by presenting a scenario where logging user activity is the key differentiator. A common trap is confusing accounting with authorization, so remember that accounting is always about the record, not the permission. For a quick memory tip, think of accounting as the “audit log” A—if it involves logging timestamps, usernames, or resource usage, it’s accounting.
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.
Which action is the best example of accounting in AAA?
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
The system records the username, timestamp, and files opened during the session.
Accounting in AAA (Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting) focuses on tracking user activities and resource usage. Option B correctly describes this by specifying the recording of username, timestamp, and files accessed, which are typical audit log entries used for monitoring and compliance.
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.
- ✗
The system checks a password and a one-time code before allowing access.
Why it's wrong here
That is authentication, because it verifies that the person is really the user they claim to be.
- ✓
The system records the username, timestamp, and files opened during the session.
Why this is correct
Accounting is the tracking and logging part of AAA. Recording the username, timestamp, and accessed files creates an audit trail that can be reviewed later for investigations, compliance, or troubleshooting. Good accounting data helps organizations understand who did what, when it happened, and what resources were affected.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The system grants access to the finance folder after the user is approved.
Why it's wrong here
Granting access is authorization, because it determines what a user may do after identity has been established.
- ✗
The system forces the user to change their password after 90 days.
Why it's wrong here
That is a password policy enforcement action, not the accounting part of AAA. It affects how access is managed, not how activity is logged.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse Accounting with Authentication or Authorization, especially when options involve access control or credential management, but Accounting is strictly about logging and tracking usage, not granting or verifying access.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Accounting in AAA is often implemented via protocols like RADIUS (RFC 2866) or TACACS+, which generate accounting packets containing session start/stop records, input/output octets, and service-specific attributes. In a real-world scenario, a network access server (NAS) sends these packets to a RADIUS server, enabling detailed billing or forensic analysis of user behavior.
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: The system records the username, timestamp, and files opened during the session. — Accounting in AAA (Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting) focuses on tracking user activities and resource usage. Option B correctly describes this by specifying the recording of username, timestamp, and files accessed, which are typical audit log entries used for monitoring and compliance.
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.
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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.
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