GCFA Enterprise Environment Incident Response Practice Question
During an enterprise incident response, you need to collect volatile evidence from a compromised Windows server that is still powered on. The server is business-critical and cannot be taken offline. Which of the following is the most appropriate order for collecting volatile data, according to RFC 3227 guidelines?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that disk imaging should be prioritized because it captures the most data, but volatile evidence like memory and network state can be lost forever if not collected first.
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
✓
Collect the contents of physical memory, then network connections, then running processes, then disk.
The order of volatility dictates that the most perishable evidence be collected first. Physical memory and network connections are extremely volatile; running processes are less so but still change; disk is least volatile. Therefore, memory should be captured first, followed by network connections, then processes, and finally disk. This minimizes loss of evidence.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Collect network connections, then disk, then memory, then running processes.
Why it's wrong here
Network connections are highly volatile and should be collected early, but disk is less volatile and should be collected later. Memory is more volatile than disk and should be collected before disk. Running processes are also more volatile than disk. This order incorrectly places disk before memory and processes, risking loss of critical volatile evidence.
- ✗
Collect the disk image first to preserve the most evidence, then memory, then network connections.
Why it's wrong here
Disk is the least volatile evidence; it persists after shutdown. Collecting it first delays acquisition of more perishable data like memory and network connections, which may change or be lost. This order violates RFC 3227 principles and risks losing critical volatile artifacts such as running processes or active network sessions.
- ✓
Collect the contents of physical memory, then network connections, then running processes, then disk.
Why this is correct
RFC 3227 specifies order of volatility: memory and network state are more volatile than process table and disk. Collecting memory first preserves the most perishable evidence. Network connections and running processes change rapidly, but memory is lost entirely upon shutdown, so it must be captured before other artifacts. Disk is least volatile and can be collected later.
- ✗
Collect running processes, then disk, then memory, then network connections.
Why it's wrong here
Running processes are more volatile than disk but less volatile than memory and network connections. Memory and network state should be captured before process table because they can change more rapidly. This order also places disk before memory, which is incorrect because disk is less volatile and can be collected later without loss.
About these practice questions
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official GIAC exam blueprint
This GCFA practice question is part of Courseiva's free GIAC 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 GCFA exam.