easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
Most Appropriate Containment Strategy for Malware on Workstation
An incident response team discovers that an employee's workstation is infected with malware. The workstation contains sensitive customer data. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate containment strategy?
Quick Answer
The answer is to disconnect the workstation from the network. This is the most appropriate containment strategy because it immediately halts the malware’s ability to communicate with command-and-control servers, prevents lateral movement to other systems, and preserves volatile evidence like running processes and memory contents for forensic analysis. On the Certified Information Security Manager CISM exam, this question tests your understanding of the containment phase from NIST SP 800-61, emphasizing that isolation—not destruction or data exfiltration—is the priority when sensitive customer data is at risk. A common trap is choosing to delete files or shut down the system, which destroys evidence and may trigger destructive payloads. Remember the memory tip: “Cut the cord, not the power”—disconnecting the network cable stops the spread without losing forensic data.
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse 'containment' with 'eradication' and choose a destructive option like shutdown or wipe, failing to recognize that containment must preserve evidence and prevent spread without destroying forensic artifacts.
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
✓
Disconnect the workstation from the network.
Disconnecting the workstation from the network (Option C) is the most appropriate containment strategy because it immediately stops the malware from communicating with command-and-control servers, prevents lateral movement to other systems, and preserves the volatile evidence (e.g., running processes, memory contents) needed for forensic analysis. This aligns with the NIST SP 800-61 incident response containment phase, which prioritizes isolation over destruction or data exfiltration risk.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Shut down the workstation immediately.
Why it's wrong here
Shutting down may cause loss of volatile data and evidence.
- ✗
Perform a full system wipe and reinstall the OS.
Why it's wrong here
Wiping may destroy evidence needed for investigation.
- ✓
Disconnect the workstation from the network.
Why this is correct
Network isolation is a quick and effective containment measure.
- ✗
Copy all files to a secure server and then disconnect.
Why it's wrong here
Copying files may spread the infection and is not a containment action.
Go deeper
Related to this question
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on CISM
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. During incident response, a team discovers that a phishing email successfully compromised a user's credentials. Which containment strategy would BEST limit further damage?
medium- ✓ A.Disable the user account
- B.Restore the user's system from a backup
- C.Block the sender's IP address at the firewall
- D.Change all user passwords
Why A: Disabling the user account immediately stops any ongoing misuse of the compromised credentials, preventing the attacker from accessing additional resources. Option A is correct.
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.