- A
Reboot the server into safe mode.
Why wrong: Rebooting alters system state and may destroy evidence.
- B
Disconnect the network cable from the server.
This isolates the server while preserving the current system state for forensics.
- C
Power off the server to freeze the system state.
Why wrong: Powering off destroys volatile memory and may not preserve evidence properly.
- D
Run a memory dump with WinPmem before any action.
Why wrong: While memory dump is good, it is not a containment strategy; isolation should be done first.
Question 609 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.
An incident responder is called to a server room where a critical database server is exhibiting signs of compromise. The responder must preserve evidence while preventing further damage. Which of the following is a short-term containment strategy that also preserves 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
✓
Disconnect the network cable from the server.
Disconnecting the network cable (Option B) is the correct short-term containment strategy because it immediately isolates the compromised database server from the network, preventing further lateral movement or data exfiltration, while preserving the volatile system state (memory, running processes, open network connections) for forensic analysis. This action stops active network-based attacks without altering the contents of RAM or disk, which is critical for evidence integrity.
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.
- ✗
Reboot the server into safe mode.
Why it's wrong here
Rebooting alters system state and may destroy evidence.
- ✓
Disconnect the network cable from the server.
Why this is correct
This isolates the server while preserving the current system state for forensics.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Power off the server to freeze the system state.
Why it's wrong here
Powering off destroys volatile memory and may not preserve evidence properly.
- ✗
Run a memory dump with WinPmem before any action.
Why it's wrong here
While memory dump is good, it is not a containment strategy; isolation should be done first.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between containment and evidence preservation, and the trap here is that candidates confuse 'preserving evidence' with 'freezing the system state' (Option C) or 'acquiring memory first' (Option D), not realizing that immediate network isolation is the only action that both stops active damage and preserves volatile data without modification.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Disconnecting the network cable at the physical layer (Layer 1) immediately terminates all TCP sessions and prevents ARP poisoning, SMB relay, or RDP brute-force attacks from continuing. In a real-world scenario, if the server is part of a clustered database environment, the responder must also consider whether the disconnection will trigger a failover that could alter evidence on the secondary node; in such cases, isolating the network switch port (instead of pulling the cable) may be preferred to preserve the exact network state for later packet capture analysis.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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.
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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: Disconnect the network cable from the server. — Disconnecting the network cable (Option B) is the correct short-term containment strategy because it immediately isolates the compromised database server from the network, preventing further lateral movement or data exfiltration, while preserving the volatile system state (memory, running processes, open network connections) for forensic analysis. This action stops active network-based attacks without altering the contents of RAM or disk, which is critical for evidence integrity.
What should I do if I get this CS0-003 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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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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