- A
Email gateway logs for the week prior to the incident
Email logs may show phishing emails that delivered the ransomware.
- B
Endpoint detection and response (EDR) logs from affected servers
EDR logs provide process creation and file activity details.
- C
Network traffic logs from the perimeter firewall
Network logs can show initial outbound connections to malicious domains.
- D
Physical access logs to the data center
Why wrong: Physical access is unlikely for ransomware; the vector is typically remote.
- E
Firewall configuration backups
Why wrong: Firewall configs are not directly useful for identifying infection vector.
Question 148 of 1,000
CS0-003 Incident Response and Management Practice Question
This CS0-003 practice question tests your understanding of incident response and management. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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 CSIRT is investigating a ransomware incident that encrypted files on multiple servers. The team needs to determine the initial infection vector. Which THREE pieces of evidence should the team prioritize collecting? (Select three.)
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Email gateway logs for the week prior to the incident
Email logs can reveal phishing attachments or links. Endpoint logs may show process execution or downloads. Network logs can identify C2 communication or lateral movement. These three together help trace the initial entry.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Email gateway logs for the week prior to the incident
Why this is correct
Email logs may show phishing emails that delivered the ransomware.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Endpoint detection and response (EDR) logs from affected servers
Why this is correct
EDR logs provide process creation and file activity details.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Network traffic logs from the perimeter firewall
Why this is correct
Network logs can show initial outbound connections to malicious domains.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Physical access logs to the data center
Why it's wrong here
Physical access is unlikely for ransomware; the vector is typically remote.
- ✗
Firewall configuration backups
Why it's wrong here
Firewall configs are not directly useful for identifying infection vector.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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
How to think about this question
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.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
An employee at a financial services firm receives an email that appears to come from the IT helpdesk, asking them to reset their password via a link. The link leads to a convincing fake portal that harvests credentials. Security teams use phishing simulations and security-awareness training to reduce this attack vector. Questions like this test whether you can identify social engineering techniques and appropriate controls.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which CS0-003 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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Incident Response and Management — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CS0-003 question test?
Incident Response and Management — This question tests Incident Response and Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Email gateway logs for the week prior to the incident — Email logs can reveal phishing attachments or links. Endpoint logs may show process execution or downloads. Network logs can identify C2 communication or lateral movement. These three together help trace the initial entry.
What should I do if I get this CS0-003 question wrong?
Identify which CS0-003 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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This CS0-003 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 CS0-003 exam.
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