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CISM Practice Question: Refer to the exhibit
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit. --- Incident Response Playbook: Ransomware Phase 1: Identification - Confirm ransomware via user reports and endpoint alerts. Phase 2: Containment - Disconnect affected systems from the network. Do not power off. Phase 3: Eradication - Remove malware using approved tools; reimage if necessary. Phase 4: Recovery - Restore data from clean backups; verify integrity. Phase 5: Post-Incident - Conduct lessons learned. ---
Refer to the exhibit. During a ransomware incident, the response team discovers that the backup server is also encrypted. Which phase of the playbook is MOST impacted?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse the Recovery phase with the Eradication phase, thinking that removing the ransomware will automatically restore access to backups, but in reality, encrypted backups require separate decryption or restoration processes that are part of Recovery, not Eradication.
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
✓
Phase 4: Recovery
The Recovery phase (Phase 4) is most impacted when the backup server is encrypted during a ransomware incident. Without clean, unencrypted backups, the organization cannot restore systems and data to a known good state, which is the primary goal of the Recovery phase. The encryption of backups directly undermines the ability to recover, forcing the team to consider alternative recovery methods such as decryption keys, offline backups, or system rebuilds.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Phase 5: Post-Incident
Why it's wrong here
Post-incident is after recovery.
- ✗
Phase 3: Eradication
Why it's wrong here
Eradication can still remove malware.
- ✗
Phase 2: Containment
Why it's wrong here
Containment is not directly affected; systems can still be isolated.
- ✓
Phase 4: Recovery
Why this is correct
Recovery relies on clean backups; encrypted backups hinder restoration.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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