Which document should define mandatory settings such as full-disk encryption, a 10-minute screen-lock timeout, and removal of local administrator rights on company laptops?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
Distractor review
Policy, because it explains the general direction but not the exact settings.
A policy usually states goals and expectations, but it does not normally list exact technical values.
Best answer
Standard, because it defines specific required configurations that must be followed.
This is correct because a standard turns policy into measurable, mandatory requirements. Exact settings such as encryption, screen-lock timing, and administrative restrictions belong in a standard since they must be applied consistently across similar systems. Standards help administrators implement security in a uniform, auditable way.
Distractor review
Procedure, because it lists the steps an end user should take every day.
Procedures describe step-by-step actions, not the enterprise-wide security values or required baseline settings.
Distractor review
Guideline, because it offers flexible recommendations rather than mandatory rules.
Guidelines are optional recommendations, so they are not the right choice for required baseline settings.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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.
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More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A laptop is suspected of being used in a malware incident. It is still powered on and connected to Wi-Fi. What should the responder do before shutting it down?
Question 2
An employee reports a ransomware note on a file server. The server is still powered on, shares are still being accessed, and management wants service restored as quickly as possible. What should the incident response team do first?
Question 3
An employee reports a ransomware note on a finance laptop. The laptop is still powered on, connected to Wi-Fi, and the user says they were just working in a spreadsheet. Management wants the fastest safe response that also preserves evidence. What should the responder do first?
Question 4
You are handed a company laptop suspected in an insider theft case. Legal says the evidence may be needed in court. Which action best preserves admissibility?
Question 5
A developer wants to reduce the risk of SQL injection in a new customer search form. Which two changes are the best mitigations? Select two.
Question 6
A branch office uses a flat LAN, and a compromise on one user workstation could spread quickly to finance systems. Management wants finance workstations isolated from general users, but finance staff still need access to a central finance application and network printer. What is the best design change?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Standard, because it defines specific required configurations that must be followed. — A standard is the right document for mandatory technical settings because it specifies the exact baseline that systems must meet. Policy gives high-level direction, while procedures explain how to perform tasks. Guidelines are optional and flexible. When an organization wants every laptop to follow the same security requirements, those details belong in a standard so they can be enforced and audited consistently. Why others are wrong: A policy is too broad, a procedure is too operational, and a guideline is not mandatory. The question asks for fixed settings that everyone must follow, so only a standard fits that role clearly.
What should I do if I get this SY0-701 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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