- A
Perform a tail-log backup of the database using the NORECOVERY option to capture all transactions since the last log backup.
This captures the current state, enabling point-in-time recovery and preserving evidence.
- B
Immediately restore the full backup from midnight and all transaction log backups up to 1:45 PM to a separate server for forensic analysis.
Why wrong: This would not capture the tail of the log; the current state is needed for evidence and recovery.
- C
Shut down the SQL Server service to prevent further changes and then restore the database from backup.
Why wrong: Shutting down may damage evidence and does not capture the tail log; restoration should be done after tail-log backup.
- D
Restore the database to a point in time using the full backup and all transaction log backups up to 1:45 PM, then apply the 2:15 PM backup to recover lost data.
Why wrong: The 2:15 PM backup contains the attack; you need to stop before 2:00 PM. Also, you must first back up the tail log.
Quick Answer
The answer is to perform a tail-log backup using the NORECOVERY option. This is the correct first step because a tail-log backup captures all transactions committed since the last log backup at 1:45 PM, including the attacker’s malicious activity between 2:00 PM and 2:05 PM, while the NORECOVERY option leaves the database in a restoring state that prevents any further changes. On the Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator CHFI exam, this scenario tests your understanding of forensic preservation and point-in-time recovery under the full recovery model, where the tail-log backup serves as both an evidence container and a prerequisite for minimal data loss. A common trap is to attempt a restore immediately or to back up with RECOVERY, which would allow the database to come online and overwrite critical forensic artifacts. Remember the mnemonic: “Tail-log first, NORECOVERY locks the box” — it seals the evidence before you touch the scene.
CHFI Database and Application Forensics Practice Question
This CHFI practice question tests your understanding of database and application forensics. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
You are a forensic investigator responding to an incident at a financial institution. The organization uses Microsoft SQL Server 2016 for its transaction processing system. The database is configured with full recovery model and transaction log backups are taken every 15 minutes. The incident response team has identified that an attacker gained access to the database server via compromised credentials and executed a series of malicious SQL statements, including data exfiltration and deletion of critical records. The time of the attack is estimated to be between 2:00 PM and 2:05 PM. The last full backup was taken at 12:00 AM (midnight) the same day. Transaction log backups are available for the entire day. The last transaction log backup before the attack was taken at 1:45 PM. The next transaction log backup after the attack was taken at 2:15 PM. The database is still online and being used by the business. Management wants to recover the database to a point just before the attack (2:00 PM) to minimize data loss, while preserving evidence for investigation. Which of the following actions should you take FIRST?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"first"Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Clue:
"minimum / minimize"Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
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
Perform a tail-log backup of the database using the NORECOVERY option to capture all transactions since the last log backup.
Performing a tail-log backup with NORECOVERY captures all transactions committed after the last log backup (1:45 PM) up to the current point in time, including the attack period. This preserves the database in a restoring state, preventing further changes while allowing point-in-time recovery to just before 2:00 PM. It is the mandatory first step to minimize data loss and maintain forensic integrity before any restore operations.
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.
- ✓
Perform a tail-log backup of the database using the NORECOVERY option to capture all transactions since the last log backup.
Why this is correct
This captures the current state, enabling point-in-time recovery and preserving evidence.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "first", "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Immediately restore the full backup from midnight and all transaction log backups up to 1:45 PM to a separate server for forensic analysis.
Why it's wrong here
This would not capture the tail of the log; the current state is needed for evidence and recovery.
- ✗
Shut down the SQL Server service to prevent further changes and then restore the database from backup.
Why it's wrong here
Shutting down may damage evidence and does not capture the tail log; restoration should be done after tail-log backup.
- ✗
Restore the database to a point in time using the full backup and all transaction log backups up to 1:45 PM, then apply the 2:15 PM backup to recover lost data.
Why it's wrong here
The 2:15 PM backup contains the attack; you need to stop before 2:00 PM. Also, you must first back up the tail log.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that you should immediately restore from the last known good backup or shut down the server, when the correct first action is always to secure the current transaction log via a tail-log backup to capture all recent changes and enable precise point-in-time recovery.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In SQL Server's full recovery model, a tail-log backup (BACKUP LOG ... WITH NORECOVERY) captures any transactions that have not yet been backed up, including uncommitted transactions that can be rolled forward or backward during restore. The NORECOVERY option leaves the database in the Restoring state, which prevents any user or application access and ensures the log is not truncated. This is critical for point-in-time recovery using STOPAT, as it allows the DBA to specify an exact datetime (e.g., '2025-04-10 14:00:00') to stop before the attack's first malicious statement.
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 practitioner preparing for the CHFI exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CHFI question test?
Database and Application Forensics — This question tests Database and Application Forensics — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Perform a tail-log backup of the database using the NORECOVERY option to capture all transactions since the last log backup. — Performing a tail-log backup with NORECOVERY captures all transactions committed after the last log backup (1:45 PM) up to the current point in time, including the attack period. This preserves the database in a restoring state, preventing further changes while allowing point-in-time recovery to just before 2:00 PM. It is the mandatory first step to minimize data loss and maintain forensic integrity before any restore operations.
What should I do if I get this CHFI 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: "first", "minimum / minimize". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This CHFI practice question is part of Courseiva's free EC-Council 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 CHFI exam.
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