FC0-U71 Security Practice Question
A company's IT policy mandates data backups following the 3-2-1 rule. Which TWO of the following practices align with this rule?
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
✓
Having the original data on a server, a backup on a tape, and another backup on a separate cloud
The 3-2-1 backup rule requires at least three copies of data on two different media types, with one copy stored offsite. Among the options, only B and C satisfy these requirements. Option B provides three copies (server, tape, cloud) on different media (disk, tape, cloud) with cloud offsite. Option C includes the original data, a local NAS backup (disk), and a remote cloud backup (offsite), fulfilling the three copies and two media types (local disk and cloud storage). The other options fail to meet one or more requirements: A uses the same medium and location, D has only one backup, and E uses the same medium (both external drives) and same location.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Keeping one backup on the same external drive as the original
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Storing one backup on the same drive as the original violates the rule by having only one copy and same media.
- ✓
Having the original data on a server, a backup on a tape, and another backup on a separate cloud
Why this is correct
Correct: Provides three copies (server, tape, cloud) on two different media types (disk, tape) with cloud offsite.
- ✓
Having a local backup on a NAS and a remote backup on a different cloud provider
Why this is correct
Correct: Implicitly includes original, plus NAS (local disk) and remote cloud (offsite), meeting the 3-2-1 requirements.
- ✗
Storing one backup in a cloud storage service
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Only provides a single offsite backup; does not ensure three copies or two media types.
- ✗
Using two different external hard drives for backups, both kept in the same building
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Two external drives in the same building use the same media type and no offsite copy.
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Same concept, more angles
5 more ways this is tested on FC0-U71
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Which of the following is the best practice for backing up data according to the 3-2-1 rule?
easy- ✓ A.Three copies on two different media types, with one copy stored offsite
- B.Three copies on three different external hard drives stored in the same building
- C.Two copies on the same server, one on a different server
- D.One copy on the same drive, one on an external drive, one in the cloud
Why A: The 3-2-1 rule means at least three copies of data, on two different types of storage media, with one copy stored offsite.
Variation 2. A company is implementing a backup strategy. Which of the following best adheres to the 3-2-1 backup rule?
hard- A.Two backups on tape drives, both stored in the server room
- ✓ B.Original data on a server, a backup on a NAS in the same building, and a backup in the cloud
- C.Original data on a laptop, a backup on a USB drive, and a backup on a second USB drive stored in a safe
- D.One backup on an external drive stored in the same room as the server
Why B: The 3-2-1 rule means 3 copies of data, on 2 different media types, with 1 offsite. Option B meets this: 3 copies (original + 2 backups), 2 media (NAS + cloud), 1 offsite (cloud).
Variation 3. An organization adopts the 3-2-1 backup rule. Which of the following practices aligns with this rule?
medium- ✓ A.Three copies of data on two different media types, with one offsite
- B.Four backups all stored on tape
- C.One backup stored in the same location as the original
- D.Two copies of data on the same hard drive
Why A: The 3-2-1 rule means having three copies of data on two different media types with one copy offsite. Storing backups on external drives and cloud meets this requirement.
Variation 4. A company's backup strategy requires three copies of data, on two different media types, with one copy offsite. Which backup rule does this follow?
hard- ✓ A.3-2-1 rule
- B.Incremental backup
- C.Differential backup
- D.Full backup
Why A: The 3-2-1 backup rule: three copies, two different media types, one offsite.
Variation 5. Which backup strategy involves keeping three copies of data on two different media types with one copy offsite?
medium- ✓ A.3-2-1 backup rule
- B.Full backup
- C.Differential backup
- D.Incremental backup
Why A: The 3-2-1 rule: three copies of data, on two different media types, with one copy stored offsite to ensure redundancy and disaster recovery.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This FC0-U71 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 FC0-U71 exam.