CISA Practice Question: Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience
Which backup method copies all data that has changed since the last full backup, regardless of subsequent incremental backups, and is often used to reduce restore time?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers confuse differential backups with incremental backups, as both copy only changed data, but the key distinction is that differentials copy all changes since the last full backup, while incrementals copy changes since the last backup of any type, leading to longer restore chains for incrementals.
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
✓
Differential backup
A differential backup copies all data that has changed since the last full backup, regardless of any incremental backups taken in between. This approach reduces restore time because only the last full backup and the most recent differential backup are needed, unlike incremental backups which require the full backup plus every subsequent incremental in sequence.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Full backup
Why it's wrong here
Full backup copies everything, but does not rely on previous backups.
- ✓
Differential backup
Why this is correct
Differential copies all changes since last full backup, simplifying restore.
- ✗
Incremental backup
Why it's wrong here
Incremental copies only changes since last backup (full or incremental), requiring more tapes for restore.
- ✗
Mirror backup
Why it's wrong here
Mirror is an exact copy, not typically used for backup alone.
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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.