CompTIA SY0-701 Practice Exam Questions & Answers

7 Free Questions Last reviewed October 29, 2026 Prepared & Reviewed by the ValidExamDumps Editorial Team

934 Practice Questions (Our Bank)
90 minutes Exam Duration
750 out of 900 Passing Score
USD 439 Official Exam Fee (United States)
Exam Facts

CompTIA SY0-701 Exam Details

Key details for this exam, checked against the published exam outline

Exam Code
SY0-701
Full Name
CompTIA Security+ Certification Exam (2026)
Issuing Body
CompTIA
Question Format (Our Bank)
Multiple Choice, Hotspot
Practice Questions

Free SY0-701 Practice Questions

Each question shows the correct answer and an explanation of why it is right

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ValidExamDumps Editorial Team Every question and its answer is checked by our SY0-701 exam preparation team, who also write the explanation shown with each one. How we research and review these pages

Question 1 Domain 4 Security Operations

A company with a high-availability website is looking to harden its controls at any cost. The company wants to ensure that the site is secure by finding any possible issues. Which of the following would most likely achieve this goal?

Correct Answer B
Explanation

Abug bounty programencourages ethical hackers tofind and report vulnerabilities, helping organizations discover security flaws before they are exploited by malicious actors. Unlikevulnerability scans, bug bounty programs usereal-world testing techniques.

Question 2 Domain 2 Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations

An IT security team is concerned about the confidentiality of documents left unattended in MFPs. Which of the following should the security team do to mitigate the situation?

Correct Answer B
Explanation

To mitigate the risk of confidential documents being left unattended in Multi-Function Printers (MFPs), implementing an authentication factor that requires in-person action before printing (such as PIN codes or badge scanning) is the most effective measure. This ensures that documents are only printed when the authorized user is present to collect them, reducing the risk of sensitive information being exposed.

Reference = CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 study materials, particularly in the domain of physical security and access control.

Question 3 Domain 5 Security Program Management and Oversightt

A security engineer receives reports of unauthorized devices on the organization's network. Which of the following best describes a secure and effective way to mitigate the risks?

Correct Answer C
Explanation

The best answer is C. Configure a NAC solution to enforce 802.1X authentication with device certificates and implement endpoint security checks.

NAC (Network Access Control) is used to verify devices before granting them access to the network. A strong NAC deployment should validate both identity and security posture. Enforcing 802.1X authentication ensures that devices must authenticate before connecting, and using device certificates strengthens trust in the device itself. Endpoint security checks add posture assessment, such as confirming antivirus, patch level, or compliance state.

This is the most secure and effective approach because it prevents unauthorized or noncompliant devices from joining the network in the first place.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A . Deploy a NAC solution to block wireless connections until devices can be verified against the baseline configuration.This only addresses wireless access and is too limited. Unauthorized devices could still attempt access in other ways.

B . Set the NAC solution to only accept handshakes initiated from a static set of IP addresses.IP addresses are not a reliable basis for device trust and can be spoofed or reassigned.

D . Implement a NAC solution that redirects all devices to the guest Wi-Fi for holding until a security analyst can validate the security compliance.Redirecting all devices is not practical or efficient, and guest Wi-Fi is not the best control for secure admission.

From a Security+ perspective, the strongest NAC implementation uses 802.1X, certificates, and posture assessment, making C correct.

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Question 4 Domain 1 General Security Concepts

Employees located off-site must have access to company resources in order to complete their assigned tasks These employees utilize a solution that allows remote access without interception concerns. Which of the following best describes this solution?

Correct Answer C
Explanation

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is the best solution to allow remote employees secure access to company resources without interception concerns. A VPN establishes an encrypted tunnel over the internet, ensuring that data transferred between remote employees and the company is secure from eavesdropping.

Proxy server helps with web content filtering and anonymization but does not provide encrypted access.

NGFW (Next-Generation Firewall) enhances security but is not the primary tool for enabling remote access.

Security zone is a network segmentation technique but does not provide remote access capabilities.

Question 5 Domain 4 Security Operations

A security analyst is reviewing the following logs about a suspicious activity alert for a user's VPN log-ins. Which of the following malicious activity indicators triggered the alert?

Log Summary:

User logs in fromChicago, ILmultiple times, then suddenly a successful login appears fromRome, Italy, followed again by Chicago logins --- all within ashort time span.

Correct Answer A
Explanation

Impossible travel (A)refers to logins fromgeographically distant locations within a time period that makes travel between them physically impossible. In this case, a user logging in fromChicago and Rome within a short timeframetriggers this anomaly.

This is a strong indicator of acompromised accountorstolen credentialsbeing used elsewhere.

Question 6 Domain 5 Security Program Management and Oversightt

A security engineer configured a remote access VPN. The remote access VPN allows end users to connect to the network by using an agent that is installed on the endpoint, which establishes an encrypted tunnel. Which of the following protocols did the engineer most likely implement?

Correct Answer B
Explanation

The remote access VPN implementation described - where an agent installed on the endpoint establishes an encrypted tunnel - most likely uses:

  • IPsec (Internet Protocol Security) - A widely-used protocol suite for VPN that creates encrypted tunnels at the network layer, commonly used with client agents
  • OpenVPN - An open-source VPN protocol that uses SSL/TLS encryption and can operate with a client agent on the endpoint

Key characteristics mentioned in the question:

  • Agent-based - Software installed on the client endpoint to initiate the connection
  • Encrypted tunnel - End-to-end encryption of all traffic through the tunnel

Other VPN types:

  • SSL/TLS VPN - Uses browser-based access, typically doesn't require a persistent agent
  • PPTP - Older protocol, generally deprecated due to security weaknesses
  • L2TP/IPsec - Another agent-based option combining Layer 2 tunneling with IPsec encryption

The description most closely matches IPsec or OpenVPN deployments commonly used in enterprise remote access scenarios.

Question 7 Domain 2 Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations

A security administrator wants to implement a security information and event management system. The administrator must first collect network traffic on the switch to gain visibility of the network. Which of the following is the most appropriate method?

Correct Answer B
Explanation

The correct answer is B. Port mirroring.

Port mirroring, also known as SPAN, copies network traffic from one or more switch ports or VLANs to another port where a monitoring tool, packet analyzer, IDS, or SIEM-related sensor can inspect the traffic. This is the most appropriate method when the goal is to collect network traffic directly from a switch to gain visibility into network activity.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A . Syslog

Syslog collects log messages from systems, applications, and network devices. It is useful for SIEM log ingestion, but it does not capture full network traffic from a switch.

C . Port forwarding

Port forwarding redirects traffic from one port or IP address to another, commonly used for NAT or remote access. It is not used to monitor switch traffic.

D . Load balancer logs

Load balancer logs provide information about traffic passing through a load balancer, but they do not provide broad switch-level network visibility.

Therefore, the best answer is port mirroring.

Study Guide

What the CompTIA SY0-701 Exam Covers

Exam domains verified against the Official CompTIA SY0-701 exam guide, last checked October 2026.

Domain 1 General Security Concepts

12%

IT security professionals and system administrators learn various security controls and fundamental security principles. This domain emphasizes the importance of change management in maintaining security and the significance of using appropriate cryptographic solutions.

Sample question from this domain above Q4

Domain 2 Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations

22%

Cybersecurity analysts and risk managers compare different threat actors and their motivations. The domain covers common threat vectors, attack surfaces, types of vulnerabilities, indicators of malicious activity in different scenarios, and mitigation techniques to secure enterprises.

Sample questions from this domain above Q2Q7

Domain 3 Security Architecture

18%

Security architects and infrastructure designers study the security implications of different architecture models. This domain applies security principles to protect enterprise infrastructure, compares data protection strategies, and emphasizes resilience and recovery.

Domain 4 Security Operations

28%

Security operations teams and IT managers apply common security techniques to computing resources. The domain addresses security implications of managing hardware, software, and data assets, manages vulnerabilities, explains security alerting and monitoring concepts, and implements identity and access management.

Sample questions from this domain above Q1Q5

Domain 5 Security Program Management and Oversightt

20%

This domain discusses elements of effective security governance and the risk management process. It covers third-party risk assessment and management processes, security compliance requirements, types and purposes of audits and assessments, and implementing security awareness practices.

Sample questions from this domain above Q3Q6

FAQ

SY0-701 Exam FAQ

Common questions about the exam itself

What score do I need to pass SY0-701?
You need a scaled score of 750 out of 900 to pass. CompTIA uses scaled scoring, which means not every question is worth the same number of points, so hitting 750 does not simply mean getting 83% of questions correct. The exam weights performance-based questions more heavily than multiple-choice, so your raw percentage varies depending on how many PBQs you encounter and how well you do on them.
How much does the SY0-701 exam cost?
A single exam voucher costs $439 USD when purchased directly from CompTIA as of June 2026. Each attempt requires a new voucher, so retakes cost the same. You can sometimes find discounts through authorized resellers or academic programs, but the official CompTIA store price is the baseline.
Is Security+ an entry-level certification or do I need prerequisites?
There are no mandatory prerequisites, though CompTIA recommends Network+ and about two years of IT experience in a security-related role. Candidates without that background can still pass with more study time, but the exam assumes basic networking, system administration, and IT fundamentals knowledge.
Which exam domain is the hardest and how should I approach it?
Security Operations is the largest and most heavily weighted domain at 28% of the exam. It covers monitoring, incident response, vulnerability management, identity and access, and automation in real-world scenarios. To master it, focus on hands-on labs, real incident response workflows, and performance-based question practice rather than just reading definitions.
How long should I study for SY0-701?
Most candidates spend between 6 to 12 weeks studying, depending on their starting point. If you have a networking background and security experience, 6 weeks of focused study can work. Beginners often need 12 to 16 weeks. The depth matters more than the hours, so use practice exams to find your weaknesses and drill those domains specifically.
What happens on exam day for SY0-701?
You have 90 minutes to answer up to 90 questions, which mix multiple-choice and performance-based questions. Performance-based questions put you in a simulated environment to configure something or solve a security problem. You can work at your own pace within the 90 minutes, so if you finish early, you can review your answers before submitting.
Can I retake SY0-701 right away if I fail?
Yes, there is no waiting period between attempts if you fail on your first try. You can reschedule immediately, but you will need to purchase another $439 voucher for each new attempt. CompTIA offers a Voucher and Retake bundle for $808 if you want two attempts up front.
How long does the Security+ certification stay valid?
The certification is valid for three years from the date you pass. Before expiration, you can renew through CompTIA's Continuing Education program, which lets you earn CE credits by completing relevant activities instead of retaking the exam.
What job roles does SY0-701 lead to?
Security+ is the baseline credential for security analyst, SOC analyst, system administrator, junior security engineer, and IT auditor roles. It is widely recognized and often required or preferred for government positions, especially those requiring DoD 8570 compliance. The salary range for Security+ holders typically starts around $70,000 to $80,000 and climbs with experience.
How does Security+ relate to CompTIA Network+ and the broader certification track?
Network+ is a common prerequisite because Security+ assumes you understand network architecture and protocols. After Security+ you can pursue advanced certifications like CySA+ for deeper cybersecurity analysis or CISSP for senior security architect roles. Security+ is considered the foundation that bridges IT operations and security specialization.

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