SK0-005 security-disaster-recovery Practice Question
A company performs full backups every Sunday and differential backups daily. After a ransomware attack, they discover that both the production data and all attached backup media were encrypted. They need to ensure data can be recovered in the future. Which of the following is the BEST change to their backup strategy?
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
✓
Store backups on an air-gapped or offline system.
Option D is correct because air-gapped backups are physically isolated and cannot be reached by ransomware, ensuring recoverability. Option A increases backup frequency but doesn't protect against ransomware that encrypts attached media. Option B changes backup type but still leaves backups online and vulnerable. Option C protects data at rest but if the encryption keys are on the same system, they can be compromised, and encryption itself doesn't prevent deletion/encryption by ransomware.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Store backups on an air-gapped or offline system.
Why this is correct
Air-gapped backups are physically disconnected from the network, making them immune to remote ransomware attacks and ensuring data recoverability.
- ✗
Encrypt the backup data using AES-256.
Why it's wrong here
Encryption protects data at rest but does not prevent an attacker with access from deleting or re-encrypting the backup files if the keys are compromised or accessible.
- ✗
Perform full backups daily instead of weekly.
Why it's wrong here
Increases backup frequency but does not isolate backups from ransomware; if the media is attached, it can still be encrypted.
- ✗
Switch from differential to incremental daily backups.
Why it's wrong here
Changing backup type does not provide isolation; incremental backups are still stored on the same potentially accessible media.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Operating System Installation and Configuration
Key term
Backup strategy
A backup strategy is a planned approach to copying and storing data so it can be recovered if the original is lost, corrupted, or destroyed.
Key term
Ransomware
Ransomware is a type of malicious software that encrypts a victim's files or locks them out of their system, demanding payment, usually in cryptocurrency, to restore access.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed July 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
This SK0-005 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 SK0-005 exam.