The answer is CDP can achieve an RPO of seconds and significantly reduce recovery time. This is correct because continuous data protection captures every write operation to disk, enabling recovery to any point in time with near-zero data loss, which directly satisfies the 15-minute RPO and 2-hour RTO requirements that the current tape-based strategy fails to meet. On the CISA exam, this question tests your understanding of how backup technologies map to compliance metrics like RPO and RTO, often appearing in scenario-based items where cost concerns must be weighed against regulatory mandates. A common trap is assuming HIPAA requires a specific technology like CDP, but the regulation only demands that RPO and RTO targets are met, making CDP a justified solution when those targets cannot be achieved otherwise. Memory tip: think “CDP = Continuous Data Protection = Continuous RPO compliance.”
CISA Practice Question: Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience
This CISA practice question tests your understanding of information systems operations and business resilience. 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.
A healthcare organization is required to comply with HIPAA regulations for data backup and disaster recovery. They operate a primary data center and a colocation facility for disaster recovery. The current backup strategy involves nightly full backups to tape, which are stored off-site monthly. The recovery time for the electronic health record (EHR) system is estimated at 8 hours, but the RTO required by the business is 2 hours. Additionally, the RPO requirement is 15 minutes. The IT manager proposes implementing a continuous data protection (CDP) solution. However, the CFO is concerned about the cost. Which of the following is the BEST argument to justify the CDP investment?
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.
Clue: "primary"
Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
CDP can achieve an RPO of seconds and significantly reduce recovery time.
Option A is correct because CDP provides near-zero RPO and can significantly reduce recovery time, directly meeting the RTO and RPO requirements. Option B is false; CDP still requires off-site storage for disaster recovery. Option C is incorrect; HIPAA does not mandate CDP. Option D is a benefit but not the primary justification.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
CDP can achieve an RPO of seconds and significantly reduce recovery time.
Why this is correct
This directly addresses the gaps in RTO and RPO, justifying the investment.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "best", "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
CDP is required by HIPAA for all healthcare systems.
Why it's wrong here
HIPAA requires a contingency plan but does not mandate CDP specifically.
✗
CDP will reduce the need for IT staff to perform backups.
Why it's wrong here
While it may reduce manual backup tasks, that is not the strongest justification for cost.
✗
CDP eliminates the need for any off-site storage, reducing costs.
Why it's wrong here
CDP still requires off-site storage for disaster recovery; this is misleading.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related CISA NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience — This question tests Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: CDP can achieve an RPO of seconds and significantly reduce recovery time. — Option A is correct because CDP provides near-zero RPO and can significantly reduce recovery time, directly meeting the RTO and RPO requirements. Option B is false; CDP still requires off-site storage for disaster recovery. Option C is incorrect; HIPAA does not mandate CDP. Option D is a benefit but not the primary justification.
What should I do if I get this CISA question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related CISA NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best", "primary". 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?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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