The answer is insufficient storage on the standby server, as this directly prevents the restoration of data within the required time window. When a standby server lacks adequate disk space, the restoration process stalls or fails, causing the recovery time objective (RTO) to be missed because the application cannot be brought online until the storage issue is resolved. On the Certified Information Systems Auditor CISA exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how infrastructure constraints—not just procedural flaws—can derail disaster recovery. A common trap is to blame backup verification or network bandwidth, but those are operational best practices that support recovery, whereas insufficient storage is a hard capacity limit that causes immediate RTO failure. Remember the memory tip: "No space, no pace"—if the standby server cannot hold the data, it cannot meet the clock.
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.
During a disaster recovery test, the recovery time objective (RTO) for a critical application was not met. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?
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.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The standby server had insufficient storage capacity
Insufficient storage on the standby server delays data restoration, directly impacting RTO. Other options are good practices that would not cause failure.
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.
✗
The backup media was stored offsite
Why it's wrong here
Offsite storage is a best practice and does not cause delays during restoration.
✓
The standby server had insufficient storage capacity
Why this is correct
Correct: Lack of storage can prevent or delay data restoration.
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.
✗
The network connectivity was tested beforehand
Why it's wrong here
Testing connectivity is beneficial and not a cause of delay.
✗
The recovery procedures were documented
Why it's wrong here
Documentation is essential and helps meet RTO, not cause failure.
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.
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.
Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience — This question tests Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The standby server had insufficient storage capacity — Insufficient storage on the standby server delays data restoration, directly impacting RTO. Other options are good practices that would not cause failure.
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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