The answer is insufficient storage capacity. This is the most likely root cause of the backup failure from logs because the log entry explicitly shows that the target directory is full, meaning the backup process cannot write new data to the destination volume. When a backup job encounters a full disk or partition, the operating system returns a “no space left on device” or similar error, halting the operation immediately. On the Certified Information Systems Auditor CISA exam, this scenario tests your ability to interpret system logs and distinguish between environmental constraints like storage exhaustion versus configuration errors or permission issues. A common trap is to assume a network or software fault when the log clearly points to a capacity problem. Remember the mnemonic “Full Disk, Full Stop” — if the log mentions a full directory, always check storage capacity first before investigating other causes.
CISA Governance and Management of IT Practice Question
This CISA practice question tests your understanding of governance and management of it. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
```
[2025-03-01 02:00:00] ERROR: Backup job 'DailyFullBackup' failed.
[2025-03-01 02:00:05] INFO: Target directory '/mnt/backup' is full.
[2025-03-01 02:00:10] WARN: No space left on device.
```
Based on the log, what is the MOST likely root cause of the backup failure?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Refer to the exhibit.
```
[2025-03-01 02:00:00] ERROR: Backup job 'DailyFullBackup' failed.
[2025-03-01 02:00:05] INFO: Target directory '/mnt/backup' is full.
[2025-03-01 02:00:10] WARN: No space left on device.
```
A
Network connectivity issues
Why wrong: The log shows a disk space error, not network.
B
Incorrect backup schedule
Why wrong: The schedule is not an issue.
C
Backup software corruption
Why wrong: No software error is indicated.
D
Insufficient storage capacity
The target directory is full, causing the failure.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Insufficient storage capacity
Option D is correct because the log clearly indicates the target directory is full. Options A, B, C are not indicated in the log.
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.
✗
Network connectivity issues
Why it's wrong here
The log shows a disk space error, not network.
✗
Incorrect backup schedule
Why it's wrong here
The schedule is not an issue.
✗
Backup software corruption
Why it's wrong here
No software error is indicated.
✓
Insufficient storage capacity
Why this is correct
The target directory is full, causing the failure.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The log shows a disk space error, not network.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 CISA 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 CISA exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Governance and Management of IT — This question tests Governance and Management of IT — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Insufficient storage capacity — Option D is correct because the log clearly indicates the target directory is full. Options A, B, C are not indicated in the log.
What should I do if I get this CISA question wrong?
Identify which CISA exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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