- A
Imaging the suspect's hard drive using dd without a write blocker
Why wrong: Using dd without a write blocker can modify the original drive.
- B
Rebooting the suspect's computer to ensure no hidden processes are running
Why wrong: Rebooting can alter volatile data and should be avoided.
- C
Using a write blocker to create a forensic image of the hard drive
Write blockers prevent write access, preserving evidence integrity.
- D
Deleting suspicious files to prevent further damage
Why wrong: Deleting files destroys evidence; containment should follow preservation.
Question 776 of 1,000
CS0-003 Incident Response and Management Practice Question
This CS0-003 practice question tests your understanding of incident response and management. 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 analyst is investigating a suspected insider threat incident. The analyst needs to preserve evidence before containment. Which of the following actions should the analyst prioritize to maintain the integrity of digital evidence?
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
✓
Using a write blocker to create a forensic image of the hard drive
Preserving evidence before containment is crucial. Using a write blocker when imaging a hard drive ensures that the original data is not altered, maintaining the integrity of the evidence.
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.
- ✗
Imaging the suspect's hard drive using dd without a write blocker
Why it's wrong here
Using dd without a write blocker can modify the original drive.
- ✗
Rebooting the suspect's computer to ensure no hidden processes are running
Why it's wrong here
Rebooting can alter volatile data and should be avoided.
- ✓
Using a write blocker to create a forensic image of the hard drive
Why this is correct
Write blockers prevent write access, preserving evidence integrity.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Deleting suspicious files to prevent further damage
Why it's wrong here
Deleting files destroys evidence; containment should follow preservation.
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
A SOC analyst notices unusual lateral movement in the network at 2 AM. The IR playbook dictates: identify and contain (isolate the affected machine), then eradicate (remove the malware), then recover (restore from backup), then document. Skipping containment before eradication risks the attacker regaining access. Questions like this test the sequence and rationale of incident response phases.
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: Using a write blocker to create a forensic image of the hard drive — Preserving evidence before containment is crucial. Using a write blocker when imaging a hard drive ensures that the original data is not altered, maintaining the integrity of the evidence.
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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