Mitigating MFP Document Confidentiality Risks

SY0-601 By islever Editorial Last updated

Short answer

B Deploy an authentication factor that requires in-person action before printing to ensure only authorized users can retrieve documents from the MFP output tray.

Question

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?
  1. Educate users about the importance of paper shredder devices.
  2. Deploy an authentication factor that requires in-person action before printing. Correct Answer
  3. Install a software client in every computer authorized to use the MFPs.
  4. Update the management software to utilize encryption.

Key Takeaways

The core concept is preventing unauthorized physical access to output devices; the common trap is focusing on network encryption (D) or user education (A) rather than immediate physical control.

This question addresses the physical security of Multi-Function Printers (MFPs) to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive documents. Deploying an authentication factor ensures that only authorized users can retrieve their print jobs, thereby mitigating confidentiality risks.

Common mistake: Many learners select D (Encryption) because it relates to data protection, but encryption protects data in transit or at rest on the hard drive, not the physical document sitting in the output tray after printing.

Expert Analysis

Why the Answer Is Correct

Option B is the correct answer because it directly addresses the risk of confidential documents being left unattended in the output tray. By requiring an authentication factor (such as a PIN, badge swipe, or biometric scan) at the device itself before the job is released, the organization ensures that only the authenticated user can physically access the printed material. This control mechanism is a standard best practice for securing MFPs in compliance frameworks like NIST and ISO 27001.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

Option A (User Education) is a weak control; while important, it relies on human behavior and does not technically prevent someone from picking up a document if a user forgets. Option C (Software Client) manages the print queue from the computer side but does not enforce physical retrieval security at the printer. Option D (Encryption) protects the data stored on the MFP's hard drive or transmitted over the network, but it does nothing to secure the physical paper once it has been printed and left in the tray.

Community Comment Notes

While the majority voted for B, some users expressed confusion about the phrasing. One commenter noted that B might be 'awkwardly phrased' but correctly identified it as requiring action at the printer. Another user suggested D, arguing that encryption protects documents 'in the MFP,' which refers to digital storage rather than the physical output issue described in the scenario. The consensus among experienced test-takers remains B as the most effective technical control for this specific physical threat.

Exam Strategy

When a question specifies 'confidentiality' in the context of physical devices like printers, scanners, or copiers, look for controls that restrict physical access or require verification before output release. Do not default to encryption unless the question specifically mentions data at rest on the device's internal storage or data in transit over the network.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why isn't encryption the right answer for MFP security?

Encryption protects data at rest on the hard drive or in transit, but it does not stop someone from walking away with a printed page left in the output tray.

Does user education solve the problem of unattended prints?

No. While education helps, it is a compensating control. Technical controls like pull-printing or authentication are required to actively prevent unauthorized physical access.

More SY0-601 FAQ →

Community Votes

B
100%

100% of anonymous learners picked answer B. Votes are pick records left by other test-takers — they are not the verified answer.

Discussion 10 contributions

Compiled from public community threads and reader submissions, lightly edited for clarity. Handles and vote tallies are shown as recorded, and comments reflect the views of individual contributors.

From public community threads 10

  1. 1403ad2 👍 10 Answered B
    choose B 2024-20-2 On Test and passed with 802
  2. salah112 👍 6 Answered B
    B. Deploy an authentication factor that requires in-person action before printing. To mitigate the concern about the confidentiality of documents left unattended in Multi-Function Printers (MFPs), deploying an authentication factor that requires in-person action before printing is a recommended security measure. This can be achieved through various means, such as requiring users to physically authenticate themselves at the MFP using a smart card, PIN, or biometric authentication before the documents are printed.
  3. kingtigo 👍 5
    Multifunction peripheral (Printer, Scanner, Copier) you're welcome.
  4. Benrosan 👍 3 Answered B
    Answer B is awkwardly phrased, but what I think it's saying is: there needs to be an authentication action done at the printer itself, before the documents are printed. Seems to be the right answer
  5. qwes333 👍 3
    Not sure that right answer is B. Document left unattended could be also a paper used for a copy and left in it, so.
Show 5 more comments
  1. memodrums 👍 2 Answered D
    when talking about confidentiality, encryption should just stand out right away. B does not address documents left unattended IN the MFP. Encryption would protect documents in the MFP.
  2. Mousie898 👍 2 Answered A
    The answer is A It mentions for unattended documents, after printing, none of those are the right answer after a document is printed, but A, educate users.
  3. Hs1208 👍 2 Answered B
    B. Deploy an authentication factor that requires in-person action before printing.
  4. [Removed] 👍 1
    im going with b https://www.certblaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/CompTIA-Security-SY0-601-Exam-Objectives-1.0.pdf heres a list of the acronyms and objectives
  5. bb6a612 👍 1 Answered A
    They leave papers inside the device after using it.

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