Quick Answer
The answer is regular backups. This security control is the most effective for ransomware recovery because it allows an organization to restore encrypted files from a clean, offline copy, completely bypassing the need to pay the ransom. While other controls like endpoint detection or access controls can help prevent or detect an attack, only a verified backup directly facilitates data restoration after encryption has occurred. On the ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity CC exam, this concept tests your understanding of the CIA triad’s availability pillar, often appearing in scenario-based questions where you must distinguish between preventive, detective, and corrective controls. A common trap is choosing antivirus or intrusion prevention, which stop attacks but cannot undo encryption. Remember the memory tip: “Backups are the only ‘undo button’ for ransomware.”
This CC practice question tests your understanding of security principles. 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.
A company experiences a ransomware attack that encrypts all files on a server. Which security control would MOST effectively allow recovery without paying the ransom?
Firewall
Why wrong: A firewall may block initial infection but cannot restore encrypted files.
Regular backups
Correct. Backups are the primary recovery mechanism against ransomware.
Intrusion detection system
Why wrong: IDS detects attacks but does not provide data recovery.
Antivirus software
Why wrong: Antivirus may remove the malware but cannot decrypt files without the key.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Regular backups
Regular backups enable restoration of encrypted data from a clean copy, bypassing the need to pay the ransom. Other controls help prevent or detect but do not directly facilitate recovery.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Firewall
Why it's wrong here
A firewall may block initial infection but cannot restore encrypted files.
Regular backups
Why this is correct
Correct. Backups are the primary recovery mechanism against ransomware.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Intrusion detection system
Why it's wrong here
IDS detects attacks but does not provide data recovery.
Antivirus software
Why it's wrong here
Antivirus may remove the malware but cannot decrypt files without the key.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A security analyst at a medium-sized enterprise encounters this scenario during an investigation or architecture review. The correct answer reflects best practice for the specific threat or control described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
What to study next
Identify which CC exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Security Principles — This question tests Security Principles — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Regular backups — Regular backups enable restoration of encrypted data from a clean copy, bypassing the need to pay the ransom. Other controls help prevent or detect but do not directly facilitate recovery.
Identify which CC exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This CC practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 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 CC exam.
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