The answer is to take the web server offline and initiate the containment phase of the incident response plan. This is correct because the IDS alert, combined with the 200 OK status, large response size, and database logs showing multiple rows returned, confirms a successful SQL injection attack is actively exfiltrating data. In any SQL injection incident response, containment must come first to stop the ongoing data breach before any eradication or recovery steps can be safely performed. On the ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity CC exam, this question tests your understanding of the incident response lifecycle phases and the priority of containment over investigation or patching. A common trap is choosing to analyze logs or block the IP, but those actions do not halt the active exfiltration. Remember the memory tip: "Contain before you clean" — always stop the bleeding first.
ISC2 CC Security Operations Practice Question
This CC practice question tests your understanding of security operations. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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 medium-sized e-commerce company operates a web application on three virtual servers behind a load balancer. The application handles credit card payments and stores customer data in a database server. The company has a security operations team that monitors logs from firewalls, IDS, and servers. One morning, the IDS generates a critical alert indicating a SQL injection attempt from an external IP to the web application. The alert shows that the injection string was ' OR '1'='1' -- . The web server logs confirm that the request returned a 200 OK status and a large response size. The database logs show a query that returned multiple rows. The security analyst needs to determine the best immediate course of action. The company has a documented incident response plan that includes containment, eradication, and recovery phases. Which action should the analyst take first?
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.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Take the web server offline and initiate the containment phase of the incident response plan
The correct first action is to take the web server offline and initiate the containment phase. The IDS alert confirms a successful SQL injection (200 OK, large response, multiple rows returned), indicating a data breach is in progress. Containment must precede any other step to stop further data exfiltration, as per the incident response plan's phases.
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.
✗
Apply a virtual patch using a web application firewall (WAF) rule to block similar injection attempts
Why it's wrong here
While a WAF rule is a good long-term fix, immediate containment is needed; the attack may already be in progress.
✗
Notify the web development team to fix the SQL injection vulnerability in the code
Why it's wrong here
Code fix is eradication, but containment must come first.
✗
Run a full database backup to preserve evidence
Why it's wrong here
Backup is important, but the server is still compromised; containment should be immediate.
✓
Take the web server offline and initiate the containment phase of the incident response plan
Why this is correct
Taking the server offline stops the attack and preserves evidence.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "best", "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests the order of incident response phases, and the trap here is that candidates confuse 'preserve evidence' (Option C) with the first step, when containment must come first to stop the active breach.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The SQL injection string ' OR '1'='1' -- exploits a lack of input sanitization, turning a query into a tautology that returns all rows. A 200 OK with a large response size indicates the attacker likely dumped the entire customer table, including credit card data. In real-world incidents, containment (e.g., isolating the server) prevents further lateral movement and data loss, while forensic imaging of the server should be done after isolation, not before.
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 security team runs a vulnerability scan on a web application and discovers an unpatched SQL injection flaw. The team prioritises remediation by CVSS score — critical flaws are patched within 24 hours, high within 7 days. Questions like this test whether you understand vulnerability management processes, scanning tools, and remediation prioritisation.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CC question in full detail.
Security Operations — This question tests Security Operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Take the web server offline and initiate the containment phase of the incident response plan — The correct first action is to take the web server offline and initiate the containment phase. The IDS alert confirms a successful SQL injection (200 OK, large response, multiple rows returned), indicating a data breach is in progress. Containment must precede any other step to stop further data exfiltration, as per the incident response plan's phases.
What should I do if I get this CC 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", "first". 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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