The correct answer is to configure backup retention policies and enable data deduplication on the backup device. Configuring retention policies immediately resolves the storage shortfall by automatically purging outdated backup sets, reclaiming space without manual intervention, while deduplication prevents recurrence by eliminating redundant data blocks across backups, drastically reducing the incremental backup storage footprint. On the Certified Information Systems Auditor CISA exam, this scenario tests your understanding of backup lifecycle management and storage optimization controls, often appearing in questions about operational failures and corrective actions. A common trap is confusing immediate fixes like manual deletion with preventive measures—retention policies and deduplication address both the symptom and the root cause. Memory tip: think “Retain and Reduce”—retention policies manage what stays, deduplication reduces what’s stored.
CISA Practice Question: Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience
This CISA practice question tests your understanding of information systems operations and business resilience. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
Based on the backup logs, the backup administrator notices that the incremental backup job failed due to insufficient storage. Which TWO actions should the administrator take to resolve the immediate issue and prevent recurrence?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Free up space on the backup storage device by removing old backup sets manually
Option A is correct because freeing up space on the backup storage device by removing old backup sets immediately resolves the insufficient storage issue that caused the incremental backup job to fail. This is a direct, short-term fix that reclaims capacity without altering backup schedules or configurations.
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.
✓
Free up space on the backup storage device by removing old backup sets manually
Why this is correct
This addresses the immediate 'insufficient storage' error by freeing up space for the next backup.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Check network bandwidth between the backup server and storage device
Why it's wrong here
The error code indicates insufficient storage, not a network issue.
✗
Increase the frequency of incremental backups to reduce data volume per job
Why it's wrong here
Increasing backup frequency would increase storage consumption, worsening the storage shortage.
✓
Configure backup retention policies and enable data deduplication on the backup device
Why this is correct
Retention policies control how long backups are kept, and deduplication reduces storage consumption, preventing future storage shortages.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Investigate and resolve the file-in-use warnings from the full backup job
Why it's wrong here
While file-in-use issues are important, they are not directly related to the storage failure of the incremental backup.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse a storage capacity issue with a performance issue (Option B) or incorrectly assume that increasing backup frequency (Option C) reduces data volume, when in fact it increases the number of backup objects and metadata overhead.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Incremental backups capture only changed blocks since the last full or incremental backup, so their size is typically small, but repeated failures due to insufficient storage can lead to missing data points in the recovery chain. Configuring retention policies (e.g., grandfather-father-son) and enabling data deduplication (e.g., using variable-length chunking) reduces long-term storage consumption by eliminating redundant data segments, preventing recurrence. In real-world scenarios, a backup administrator might use tools like `df -h` on Linux or `Get-PSDrive` on Windows to verify free space before manual cleanup.
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.
TExam Day Tips
→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 exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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: Free up space on the backup storage device by removing old backup sets manually — Option A is correct because freeing up space on the backup storage device by removing old backup sets immediately resolves the insufficient storage issue that caused the incremental backup job to fail. This is a direct, short-term fix that reclaims capacity without altering backup schedules or configurations.
What should I do if I get this CISA question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.