The correct next step after a ransomware attack when backups are encrypted is to isolate additional systems and notify law enforcement. This prioritizes containment and forensic preservation because encrypted backups are unrecoverable through standard restoration, and paying the ransom is both discouraged and unreliable for data recovery. On the Certified Information Security Manager CISM exam, this scenario tests your grasp of incident response phases—specifically containment and notification—while avoiding common traps like attempting to restore from compromised backups or reimaging systems, which destroys critical evidence. A key memory tip is “ICE”: Isolate, Contain, and Engage law enforcement, remembering that encrypted backups mean you’ve lost the recovery safety net, so the focus shifts to stopping spread and enabling investigation.
CISM Incident Management Practice Question
This CISM practice question tests your understanding of incident management. 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.
After a ransomware attack, a company discovers that backups are also encrypted. The incident response team has isolated the affected systems. What should be the next step?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Isolate additional systems and notify law enforcement.
Option C is correct because the priority is to contain the incident and then involve law enforcement to investigate, while preserving evidence. Option A is wrong because paying ransom is not recommended and may not guarantee recovery. Option B is wrong because encrypted backups cannot be restored. Option D is wrong because reimaging destroys forensic evidence.
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.
✗
Attempt restoration from encrypted backups.
Why it's wrong here
Encrypted backups are unusable without decryption.
✗
Pay the ransom to obtain decryption keys.
Why it's wrong here
Paying ransom is discouraged and does not guarantee recovery.
✓
Isolate additional systems and notify law enforcement.
Why this is correct
Containment and involving authorities are best practices.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Reimage all systems from known clean media.
Why it's wrong here
Reimaging destroys potential evidence before investigation.
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 CISM 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 CISM 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.
Incident Management — This question tests Incident Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Isolate additional systems and notify law enforcement. — Option C is correct because the priority is to contain the incident and then involve law enforcement to investigate, while preserving evidence. Option A is wrong because paying ransom is not recommended and may not guarantee recovery. Option B is wrong because encrypted backups cannot be restored. Option D is wrong because reimaging destroys forensic evidence.
What should I do if I get this CISM question wrong?
Identify which CISM 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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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This CISM 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 CISM exam.
Question Discussion
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