This CISM practice question tests your understanding of incident management. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
Which TWO of the following are best practices for preserving digital evidence during an incident? (Select exactly 2)
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create a forensic image of the hard drive using a write blocker
Creating a forensic image with a write blocker (Option A) is a best practice because it captures an exact bit-for-bit copy of the storage media without altering the original data. The write blocker intercepts write commands at the hardware or software level, ensuring the integrity of the evidence. This preserves the original state for later analysis and admissibility in legal proceedings.
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.
✓
Create a forensic image of the hard drive using a write blocker
Why this is correct
Write blocker prevents alteration of original data.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Document the chain of custody
Why this is correct
Chain of custody maintains evidence admissibility.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Interview witnesses before collecting data
Why it's wrong here
Interviews are part of investigation but do not preserve evidence.
✗
Run antivirus scans on the affected system
Why it's wrong here
Scanning can modify files and timestamps.
✗
Reboot the system to clear memory
Why it's wrong here
Rebooting destroys volatile evidence.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'preserving evidence' with 'immediate remediation'—choosing actions like rebooting or scanning that seem helpful but actually destroy volatile data or alter the evidence, while the exam emphasizes forensic soundness and legal admissibility over speed.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Forensic imaging typically uses tools like dd or FTK Imager with a hardware write blocker that implements SCSI commands to deny write operations at the bus level. Chain of custody documentation (Option B) is equally critical, as it provides a verifiable audit trail from collection to courtroom, often recorded in a form that includes timestamps, hashes (e.g., SHA-256), and signatures. In a real-world scenario, failing to document chain of custody can lead to evidence being ruled inadmissible under Daubert or Frye standards.
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.
TExam Day Tips
→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 exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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: Create a forensic image of the hard drive using a write blocker — Creating a forensic image with a write blocker (Option A) is a best practice because it captures an exact bit-for-bit copy of the storage media without altering the original data. The write blocker intercepts write commands at the hardware or software level, ensuring the integrity of the evidence. This preserves the original state for later analysis and admissibility in legal proceedings.
What should I do if I get this CISM question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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