Quick Answer
The correct answer is risk mitigation. This is because storing backup tapes in the same building as the primary data center violates the core principle of geographic redundancy, which is a key risk mitigation strategy designed to reduce the likelihood and impact of a single point of failure. By keeping backups in a common physical location, the company fails to implement redundant offsite storage, meaning a single event like a fire, flood, or power outage could destroy both the primary data and the recovery copies. On the CompTIA SecurityX CAS-004 exam, this scenario tests your ability to distinguish risk mitigation from acceptance, transference, or avoidance—a common trap is confusing mitigation with avoidance, but mitigation actively reduces risk through controls like offsite backups, whereas avoidance would mean not storing data at all. Memory tip: think "Mitigation = Multiple locations" to remember that redundant offsite storage directly reduces risk.
This CAS-004 practice question tests your understanding of governance, risk and compliance. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A security auditor finds that a company's backup tapes are stored in the same building as the primary data center. Which risk treatment strategy does this lack represent?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "primary"
Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
Risk avoidance
Why wrong: Avoidance would mean not performing the activity.
Risk mitigation
Mitigation would require offsite backups to reduce risk.
Risk acceptance
Why wrong: Acceptance would mean knowingly accepting the risk, which is not demonstrated.
Risk transference
Why wrong: Transference would involve insurance or outsourcing.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Risk mitigation
Storing backups at a separate site is risk mitigation through redundancy. The current practice increases risk due to common physical location. Acceptance, transference, and avoidance are not directly addressed here.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Risk avoidance
Why it's wrong here
Avoidance would mean not performing the activity.
Risk mitigation
Why this is correct
Mitigation would require offsite backups to reduce risk.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Risk acceptance
Why it's wrong here
Acceptance would mean knowingly accepting the risk, which is not demonstrated.
Risk transference
Why it's wrong here
Transference would involve insurance or outsourcing.
Common exam traps
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.
Detailed technical explanation
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the CAS-004 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Identify which CAS-004 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Governance, Risk and Compliance — This question tests Governance, Risk and Compliance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Risk mitigation — Storing backups at a separate site is risk mitigation through redundancy. The current practice increases risk due to common physical location. Acceptance, transference, and avoidance are not directly addressed here.
Identify which CAS-004 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Yes — watch for: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This CAS-004 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CAS-004 exam.
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