easyMultiple Select
CISA Practice Question: During a disaster recovery test, the team…
During a disaster recovery test, the team discovers that the backup server is unable to restore data because of incompatible software versions. Which TWO controls should have been implemented to prevent this?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently confuse operational controls like backup frequency or security tools with the configuration and version management controls needed to ensure restore compatibility, leading them to select options that improve data availability but not data recoverability.
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
✓
Maintaining a configuration management database
Option A (Maintaining a configuration management database) is correct because a CMDB records the versions and configurations of backup software and dependent components, so version incompatibilities between the backup server and restore targets can be identified and reconciled before a disaster recovery test. Option E (Performing regular patch management) is correct because keeping backup software and related systems patched and at compatible version levels directly prevents the version mismatch that blocked restoration. Option B (Using cloud-based backup solutions) does not inherently prevent software version incompatibility, since cloud backups still require compatible client/agent and restore software. Option C (Implementing intrusion detection systems) addresses security monitoring, not version compatibility. Option D (Increasing the frequency of full backups) improves recovery point objectives but does nothing to resolve incompatible software versions.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Maintaining a configuration management database
Why this is correct
A configuration management database records the versions and dependencies of each component, so incompatible software combinations between backup server and restore targets would be identified before the test. This satisfies the need to prevent version mismatch arising from uncontrolled configuration drift across systems.
- ✗
Using cloud-based backup solutions
Why it's wrong here
Cloud backup changes the storage location, not the compatibility between backup and restore software versions. It is tempting because cloud services often manage agent updates, but without configuration management and testing, version mismatch can still break restoration.
- ✗
Implementing intrusion detection systems
Why it's wrong here
Intrusion detection systems monitor network traffic for malicious activity; they do not verify that backup software versions match the restore environment. It is tempting because IDS supports availability and security monitoring, but version compatibility is addressed through configuration management and change control.
- ✗
Increasing the frequency of full backups
Why it's wrong here
More frequent full backups increase data volume and recovery point coverage, not software version compatibility. It is tempting because frequent backups feel safer, yet the failure is a restore-environment mismatch, which configuration management and change control would have prevented.
- ✓
Performing regular patch management
Why this is correct
Regular patch management keeps backup server and restore software at consistent, supported versions, preventing the incompatibility that blocked restoration. This satisfies the constraint that mismatched software versions caused the failure, ensuring coordinated updates rather than allowing divergent patch levels across the environment.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CISA practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISACA 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 CISA exam.