hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
ISC2 CC Practice Question: A company's security policy requires that all…
A company's security policy requires that all incident response activities be logged and that evidence be preserved for potential legal action. During an incident, a responder mistakenly uses a personal USB drive to copy log files. Which principle of forensic evidence handling has been violated?
⚠ Common exam trap
ISC2 often tests the distinction between chain of custody and integrity by presenting a scenario where evidence is copied to an unauthorized device, leading candidates to mistakenly choose 'Integrity' because they focus on potential data alteration rather than the lack of documented control over the evidence.
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
✓
Chain of custody
The chain of custody is a documented record that tracks the seizure, control, transfer, analysis, and disposition of evidence. By using a personal USB drive to copy log files, the responder introduces an unverified and uncontrolled storage medium, breaking the documented chain and making it impossible to prove that the evidence was not tampered with or contaminated. This directly violates the requirement to preserve evidence for potential legal action.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Integrity
Why it's wrong here
While integrity may be compromised, the core procedural violation is chain of custody.
- ✓
Chain of custody
Why this is correct
Using unapproved media and not documenting the transfer violates chain of custody.
- ✗
Availability
Why it's wrong here
Availability is not directly affected; the evidence is still accessible.
- ✗
Confidentiality
Why it's wrong here
Confidentiality is about protecting sensitive information, but the primary violation here is the chain of custody.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Introduction to Security Principles
Key term
Security policy
A security policy is a formal set of rules and guidelines that an organization establishes to protect its information assets and technology resources.
Key term
Evidence handling
Evidence handling is the process of properly collecting, preserving, documenting, and storing digital evidence to maintain its integrity and admissibility in legal or administrative proceedings.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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