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Quick Answer
The correct answer is to use a write blocker when creating disk images, alongside calculating cryptographic hashes and maintaining a documented chain of custody. These three actions form the core of forensic evidence preservation procedures because they collectively ensure the original data remains unaltered, verifiable, and legally admissible. A write blocker physically prevents any write commands from reaching the source drive, which is critical to avoid contaminating the evidence during acquisition. On the CompTIA CySA+ CS0-003 exam, this concept tests your understanding of data integrity and admissibility under the “Digital Forensics” domain, often appearing in scenario-based questions where a common trap is to confuse imaging with simple file copying. Remember the mnemonic “W-H-C” for Write blocker, Hash, and Chain of custody—each protects a different pillar: preservation, verification, and accountability.
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.
During a security incident, a digital forensics investigator must preserve evidence according to best practices. Which three of the following actions align with proper forensic procedures? (Choose three.)
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
✓
Calculate and document cryptographic hashes of acquired images.
Calculating and documenting cryptographic hashes (e.g., SHA-256) of acquired images ensures data integrity by providing a verifiable fingerprint that can prove the image has not been altered since acquisition. Maintaining a documented chain of custody tracks every person who handled the evidence, preserving its admissibility in legal proceedings. Using a write blocker when creating disk images prevents any accidental writes to the original media, which is critical to avoid altering the evidence.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the misconception that booting a system to check processes is acceptable, but in forensic procedures, any live interaction with the original evidence is prohibited to avoid altering the state.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Write blockers operate at the hardware or software level by intercepting ATA/SCSI commands and blocking any write commands (e.g., WRITE DMA, WRITE SECTOR) while allowing read commands to pass through. Cryptographic hashes like SHA-256 produce a 256-bit digest; even a single bit change in the image results in a completely different hash, making tampering detectable. Chain of custody documentation typically includes timestamps, signatures, and a description of each transfer, often following ISO/IEC 27037 guidelines.
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
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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: Calculate and document cryptographic hashes of acquired images. — Calculating and documenting cryptographic hashes (e.g., SHA-256) of acquired images ensures data integrity by providing a verifiable fingerprint that can prove the image has not been altered since acquisition. Maintaining a documented chain of custody tracks every person who handled the evidence, preserving its admissibility in legal proceedings. Using a write blocker when creating disk images prevents any accidental writes to the original media, which is critical to avoid altering the evidence.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 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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