Which Term Describes a Legacy Device Stopping Patch Updates?
A legacy device is being decommissioned and is no longer receiving updates or patches. Which of the following describes this scenario?
Community Votes
52% of anonymous learners picked answer D. Votes are pick records left by other test-takers — they are not the verified answer.
Community Insight
The question traps candidates who apply real-world vendor tiered support models instead of CompTIA’s unified lifecycle terminology, leading them to incorrectly select End of Support.
This question tests CompTIA’s standardized definitions for product lifecycle stages, specifically distinguishing End of Life (EOL) from End of Support (EOS). While enterprise vendors sometimes separate these phases, CompTIA treats EOL as the definitive point when a device is retired and ceases all updates, patches, and vendor assistance.
Most candidates choose End of Support (Option C) because the phrase 'no longer receiving updates or patches' appears to literally define support cessation. However, in CompTIA’s framework, once a legacy device stops receiving patches and is slated for decommissioning, it has reached End of Life, making EOS a distractor based on nuanced vendor practices rather than exam objectives.
Community Discussion (64 comments)
Shaman73
👍 25
• D. End of life
MYC199
👍 17
Selected: C
C. From the CompTIA study guide: End of life - while the equipment or device is no longer sold, it remains supported. End of support - the last date on which the vendor will provide support and/or updates. I'm confused.
M4t
👍 1
Selected: C
A product can reach EOL but it still can be supported by vendor for a certain period of time.
Lafras23
👍 1
Selected: D
No, I read the question again, and the correct answer is End of Life!!!
Lafras23
👍 2
Selected: C
End of support comes after End of life. End of life means it's not available anymore, but patches will still be provided.
GeorgySid
👍 1
Selected: C
End of life (EOL): This is the date after which a product will no longer be sold or renewed. However, it might still receive some form of support, such as security patches End of support (EOS): This date marks the complete cessation of all support services for the product. After this date, no new patches, updates or fixes will be released, even for critical vulnerabilities
jennyka76
👍 2
Selected: D
had to check on this one myself twice.. my answer is - D here is my proof for my selection In the context of the CompTIA SY0-701 (Security+) exam, "end of life" refers to when a specific version of the exam or a related product (like a software or hardware) is no longer officially supported by CompTIA and the manufacturer respectively, meaning no further updates, patches or security fixes will be provided.
prabh1251
👍 1
Selected: D
End of Support (EOS) means the vendor stops providing help (e.g., customer service or troubleshooting), but updates/patches may still exist. End of Life (EOL) means the device is fully retired, no longer receives updates, patches, or vendor support, and is being decommissioned—which matches the scenario described
cyberspace312
👍 1
Selected: C
the question is about the end of update or patches, hence it means end of support.
emac2686
👍 1
Selected: C
C end of support
sumntingwong
👍 2
Selected: D
i think the keywords are 'legacy' and 'decommissioned'
jo_bl123
👍 1
Selected: C
EOL could still receive patches and updates with extended support like Windows does with its operating systems after the newer ones come out. EOS means no more updates or patches and a far more significant security concern.
Oluwatobi4880
👍 2
Selected: D
D is the answer
Clau95
👍 1
Selected: C
With EOL the devices may still receive updates or patches, then EOS is the correct answer.
f92c9d7
👍 2
Selected: D
End of Life (EOL) refers to the point at which a product, such as a legacy device, is no longer supported by the manufacturer. This means it stops receiving updates, patches, and other forms of support, which can pose security risks if the device continues to be used.
TmNvrWts
👍 3
Selected: D
Dear comptia decommiss yourself
ShutterRadio
👍 1
Selected: C
Look for the answers in the textbook, and read the questions with a magnifying glass. "Which of the following describes this scenario?" We are facing the End of Support. "Which of the following describes this device/system?" End of Life, but it is not the case.
TECHBOSS
👍 2
Selected: D
ANSWER: D EOL INCLUDES EOS. and the key words here are Legacy Device. while EOS could be 6 months from manufacturing or sale date based upon a support agreement. However EOS would NOT necessarily include UPDATES and PATCHES. They are two different things.
Rymann
👍 1
Selected: D
The legacy device being decommissioned is no longer receiving updates or patches, which directly corresponds to its end of life. "End of support" focuses more on vendor support rather than the device itself being taken out of use.
dbrowndiver
👍 2
Selected: D
The decommissioning process indicates the device has moved beyond end of support to the final EOL stage.
pindinga1
👍 1
Selected: D
DECOMMISSIONED == End of life
Drey09
👍 2
Selected: C
EOL: The product is no longer manufactured and sold. EOS: The product no longer receives updates and official technical support.
Drey09
👍 1
Selected: C
EOL: The product is no longer manufactured and sold. EOS: The product no longer receives updates and official technical support.
deejay2
👍 1
Selected: D
The answer is End of Life. Specifically, End of Service Life(EOSL).
ramzie
👍 1
Selected: D
The answe is D End of life Official termination of product support No further updates or patches
41c27e6
👍 1
Selected: D
indeed "decommissioned" is a keyword here. It means the device will be no longer in use.
Exam_Prep221
👍 1
Selected: D
Key word: DECOMMISSIONED It's clearly EOL, if it was EOS it would simply not get updates but continue to be in use.
gingergroot
👍 2
Selected: D
The CompTIA study guide says EOL generally refers to the date when a product will no longer be offered for sale. EOSL (End of Service Life) indicates the date when you expect a lack of vendor support because vendors no longer create patches or upgrades to resolve vulnerabilities for the product. I'm confused.
Claudia_VB
👍 2
Selected: C
C. End of Support End of support (EOS) - The Date when the manufacturer will stop providing all support services for a product, including updates, patches, and fixes. After this date, the product may still function, but it will no longer receive any new support. End of life (EOL) - The date when a product or product line will no longer be sold or renewed. The manufacturer may still provide some support, such as security patches.
chavers93
👍 1
Selected: D
Try using a hardware device with no support, updates or patches at all. It could do a lot of damage. Answer is D
ProudFather
👍 1
Selected: D
D. End of life This term is used to describe a product that is no longer supported by the manufacturer, meaning it will no longer receive updates, security patches, or technical support.
e2ba0ff
👍 2
Selected: D
End of life: no updates or support from the manufacture
Cloudboy
👍 3
C. EOS End of life (EOL): This is the date after which a product will no longer be sold or renewed. However, it might still receive some form of support, such as security patches. End of support (EOS): This date marks the complete cessation of all support services for the product.
9149f41
👍 1
Key Point: Legacy Device Decommissioning Process No Updates or Patches Questions: What is the term used to describe this scenario? Note for the Answer: The device is still usable in business operations. The device can still be tested. The device is not yet end-of-life.
braveheart22
👍 2
Selected: D
D. End of life End of life (EOL) refers to a product (in this case, a legacy device) that is no longer being actively sold, supported, or maintained by the manufacturer. When a device reaches its EOL, it stops receiving updates, patches, and technical support. This often happens after the manufacturer has decided to discontinue the product, and it marks the point at which the device is considered obsolete in terms of official support.
Sanan4ik
👍 2
Selected: D
D. End of life
3dk1
👍 1
Selected: D
This is a trick question - IT IS END of LIFE
3dk1
👍 1
Selected: D
End of Life I really think it is actually End of Support, but maybe CompTIA wants us to think its End of Life......
9ef4a35
👍 1
D End of life
3dk1
👍 4
Selected: C
EOL - End of Life The date after which a product is no longer sold, developed, or advertised by the manufacturer. The product may still receive some support, like security patches. EOS - End of Support The date after which the manufacturer stops providing technical support and updates for a product. The product may still function, but it's no longer serviced or supported.
Veerus97
👍 2
Selected: D
D End of life
ETQ
👍 2
Selected: D
Key word: DECOMMISSIONED It's clearly EOL, if it was EOS it would simply not get updates but continue to be in use.
Murtuza
👍 3
Selected: C
End of Life (EOL) comes before End of Support (EOS). End of Life (EOL): This is the stage when a product is no longer sold or renewed by the manufacturer. While the product may still receive some limited support, such as critical security patches, it is essentially being phased out1. End of Support (EOS): This marks the complete cessation of all support services for the product. After this date, the product will no longer receive any updates, patches, or technical support1.
famuza77
👍 2
if you vote for C. Then check question 132, its clearly End of Life
Murtuza
👍 2
End of life (EOL): This is the date after which a product will no longer be sold or renewed. However, it might still receive some form of support, such as security patches End of support (EOS): This date marks the complete cessation of all support services for the product. After this date, no new patches, updates or fixes will be released, even for critical vulnerabilities
c7b3ff0
👍 1
Selected: D
D. End of Life.
User92
👍 1
Selected: D
I am going to change my answer to D. From Dion Trainings CompTIA Security+(SY0-701) study guide. End-of-life: No updates or support from the manufacturer. No mention of End of support.
latshar
👍 1
D - End of life
comptia701
👍 1
Selected: D
based on study guide
nap61
👍 2
Selected: D
Extracted from The Official CompTIA Security+ Student Guide (Exam SY0-701), Lesson 8, Topic 8A, page 212-213 " The manufacturer or vendor no longer supports EOL systems, so they do not receive updates, including critical security patches." " An EOL system is a specific product or version of a product that the manufacturer or vendor has publicly declared as no longer supported." "End-of-life (EOL) hardware vulnerabilities arise when manufacturers cease providing product updates, parts, or patches to the firmware." also no mention of "end of support (EOS)"
User92
👍 1
Selected: C
End of Life (EOL): This is when a product (like a device, software, or service) is no longer sold or produced by the manufacturer. End of Support (EOS): This happens when the manufacturer or service provider officially stops providing support for the product.
Rock2roll02
👍 1
Answer is D End of Life (EOL), which usually includes end of production and distribution, while EOS specifically refers to the halt in support services and updates from the vendor.
TonyStarChillingFromHeaven
👍 1
End of life (EOL): This is the date after which a product will no longer be sold or renewed. However, it might still receive some form of support, such as security patches. End of support (EOS): This date marks the complete cessation of all support services for the product.
a0bfa81
👍 1
Selected: D
Answer D. End of life
bufffalobilll
👍 1
Selected: C
specifically around updates, EOS is correct
Laura5859
👍 2
Selected: D
CompTIA defines End of Life as the manufacture no longer supporting these devices, which includes no longer providing updates or critical security patches.
Hayder81
👍 2
D. End of life
Syl0
👍 2
Selected: D
End of Life... because it is being decommissioned.
a4e15bd
👍 4
D. End of Life Here is why: End of support refers to when the manufacturer stops providing updates, patches and technical support for a product, but the product may still be use and it won't receive any further assistance or updates. End of Life: Refers to a stage where product is no longer sold, maintained or supported by manufacturer. This device is typically decommissioned or retired. End of support would only apply if the device was still in use but not longer receiving updates, in our scenario where decommissioning is involved, End of Life is the right answer.
nesquick0
👍 1
Selected: C
i'll go with C (End of support)
nesquick0
👍 1
Selected: C
End of Support (discontinued), while End of life may receive critical patches. So C (End of Support) is correct.
idy
👍 3
End of life (EOL): This is the date after which a product will no longer be sold or renewed. However, it might still receive some form of support, such as security patches. End of support (EOS): This date marks the complete cessation of all support services for the product. Answer is C
j777
👍 1
I believe it's going to be D: When a device or software reaches EOL, it means that it is no longer supported by the manufacturer, which includes no longer receiving updates, patches, or any other form of support.
xekiva3329
👍 3
Selected: C
Answer: C
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Expert Analysis
Core Concept: Product Lifecycle Terminology
In cybersecurity asset management, manufacturers follow a structured lifecycle that dictates how long hardware and software remain viable and secure. For the SY0-701 exam, End of Life (EOL) marks the final stage where a product is officially retired, discontinued from sales, and completely removed from the manufacturer’s security roadmap. At this point, the device stops receiving firmware updates, security patches, technical assistance, or warranty services.Why End of Life (D) is Correct
The scenario explicitly states the legacy device is 'being decommissioned' and 'no longer receiving updates or patches.' CompTIA defines EOL as the complete cessation of vendor support and patching. When a device reaches this state, it becomes a significant security liability if kept online, which is why decommissioning or rigorous isolation is required. Community comment #8 correctly notes that EOL aligns with full retirement and zero patch availability, matching the exam’s expected answer.Why End of Support (C) is a Distractor
Many candidates select End of Support because they conflate CompTIA’s simplified model with real-world vendor policies. In practice, companies like Microsoft or Cisco often publish an EOL date followed months later by an End of Support (EOS) date, during which extended paid support or critical-only patches may continue. Comments #2, #6, and #12 highlight this confusion. However, SY0-701 does not test vendor-specific extended support programs; it expects you to recognize that when patching stops and decommissioning begins, the lifecycle phase is EOL. Option C is intentionally designed to catch test-takers overthinking the terminology.Exam Takeaway
Always align your reasoning with CompTIA’s baseline definitions rather than enterprise vendor lifecycles. If a system is no longer patched and is marked for decommissioning, mark it as End of Life immediately.Official Reference
- https://www.comptia.org/certifications/security#:~:text=Security%20%28SY0%2D701%29
- NIST Special Publication 800-53 Rev. 5 (SI-2 Flaw Remediation)
- CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 Official Study Guide - Chapter 1: General Security Concepts
Exam Strategy
When encountering lifecycle terminology questions, ignore real-world vendor exceptions and stick strictly to CompTIA’s standardized definitions. If a system stops receiving patches and is marked for decommissioning, automatically associate it with End of Life (EOL) rather than getting distracted by extended support nuances.
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