hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
CISM Practice Question: An organization's security team detects an…
An organization's security team detects an unusual spike in outbound traffic from a database server to an external IP address during a routine security scan. The database server contains sensitive customer data. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate initial response?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently confuse 'investigation' with 'response' and choose to review logs first (Option B), failing to recognize that in an active incident, containment must precede any forensic analysis to prevent further damage.
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
✓
Isolate the database server from the network to stop the traffic.
Isolating the database server is the most appropriate initial response because it immediately halts the suspected data exfiltration, containing the incident and preventing further loss of sensitive customer data. In incident management, the priority is to stop the active threat before performing any investigative or notification steps, as per the NIST SP 800-61 incident response lifecycle (Preparation, Detection & Analysis, Containment, Eradication & Recovery). Delaying containment to review logs or run scans allows the exfiltration to continue, increasing the potential damage.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Notify the data protection officer and legal team.
Why it's wrong here
Notification is necessary but should happen after containment.
- ✗
Review firewall logs to confirm data exfiltration.
Why it's wrong here
Reviewing logs is important but not immediate; containment first.
- ✗
Run a full antivirus scan on the database server.
Why it's wrong here
Antivirus scan may not detect advanced threats and delays response.
- ✓
Isolate the database server from the network to stop the traffic.
Why this is correct
Containment is a top priority to limit impact.
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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.