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CISM Practice Question: After detecting a ransomware infection on a file…
After detecting a ransomware infection on a file server, the incident response team performs containment and eradication. Which step should be prioritized during the recovery phase to minimize business impact?
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
✓
Restore data from verified clean backups
Restoring data from clean backups is the most direct way to recover operations without paying ransom. Identifying the vulnerability (B) is part of eradication, not recovery. Negotiating with attackers (A) is discouraged. Reimaging all servers (D) may be excessive and cause more downtime.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Contact the attackers to negotiate a decryption key
Why it's wrong here
Paying ransom is not recommended and may not guarantee recovery.
- ✗
Reimage all servers in the same network segment
Why it's wrong here
Reimaging all servers may be unnecessary and prolongs recovery.
- ✗
Identify and patch the vulnerability used for entry
Why it's wrong here
Patching is part of eradication, not recovery.
- ✓
Restore data from verified clean backups
Why this is correct
Restoring from backups is the primary recovery method.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.