Question 1easymulti select
Full question →easymulti selectObjective-mapped
Which two practices help protect encryption keys? Select two.
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.
A
Best answer
Store keys in a hardware security module
An HSM helps protect keys by keeping them isolated from direct exposure.
B
Best answer
Rotate keys on a defined schedule
Key rotation limits the impact if a key is ever exposed or stolen.
C
Distractor review
Put keys in an unencrypted text file on a server
Plain text storage exposes the key to anyone who can read the file.
D
Distractor review
Reuse the same key across many systems forever
Reusing a key increases risk because one compromise affects many systems.
E
Distractor review
Send keys through a public chat room
A public chat room is not a safe place to transmit secrets of any kind.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication checks who the user is.
- Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
- Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
- AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
- Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
- Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
- Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
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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?
Authentication checks who the user is.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Store keys in a hardware security module — Encryption keys need strong protection because anyone who obtains the key may decrypt sensitive data. Hardware security modules are designed to isolate and safeguard keys, reducing exposure to administrators and software. Key rotation also improves security by limiting how long a compromised key remains useful. Together, these practices help reduce the chance and the impact of key theft. The other choices directly expose the key or make a compromise more damaging. Why others are wrong: Storing a key in plain text or sharing it publicly is unsafe because it exposes the secret directly. Reusing one key everywhere increases the blast radius if that key is compromised. These choices weaken key management instead of protecting it. The correct answers are the ones that isolate the key and limit its lifetime.
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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