CISA Practice Question: Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience
Which type of disaster recovery test involves a full switch-over from the primary site to the alternate site, resulting in actual disruption of normal operations?
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
✓
Full interruption test
A full interruption test (also called full-scale test) involves actual failover, shutting down primary operations and running completely from the alternate site.
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 interruption test
Why this is correct
A full interruption test actually shuts down the primary site and runs operations from the alternate site, causing genuine disruption. This matches the stem's requirement for real operational interruption, unlike tabletop, walkthrough or simulation tests.
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Tabletop test
Why it's wrong here
A tabletop test is a discussion-based walkthrough of plans and roles, with no systems activated and no operational disruption. It is tempting because it validates procedures cheaply and is the right choice when the goal is raising awareness or reviewing documentation, but it never switches production to the alternate site.
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Parallel test
Why it's wrong here
A parallel test runs the alternate site alongside the primary, processing transactions there while production continues uninterrupted. It is tempting because it verifies recovery capability with real data, and it is the right choice when validating the alternate site without downtime; the stem requires actual disruption, which parallel testing avoids.
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Simulation test
Why it's wrong here
A simulation test rehearses recovery procedures for specific scenarios, often with some personnel acting out their roles, but it stops short of transferring live processing to the alternate site. It is tempting because it exercises plans realistically; it is correct when validating response steps without disrupting normal operations.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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