The answer is to implement a cloud-based backup solution because it directly addresses the need to minimize data loss by enabling frequent, automated backups stored offsite. Unlike the local external drive in the scenario, which created a three-day gap in recoverable data, a cloud solution can perform hourly or continuous backups, ensuring that files created after the last local backup are not permanently lost. On the ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity CC exam, this question tests your understanding of backup strategies and the principle of geographic redundancy—a common trap is assuming that more frequent local backups alone solve the problem, but the key is offsite storage to protect against physical disasters or drive failures at the same location. Remember the memory tip: “Cloud closes the gap” to recall that cloud backups eliminate the recovery point objective (RPO) gap by syncing data in near real-time, unlike manual or local media which can leave days of work vulnerable.
ISC2 CC Security Operations Practice Question
This CC practice question tests your understanding of security operations. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 small business has a single server that hosts critical applications. The server's hard drive fails, and the most recent backup is 3 days old. The backup is stored on an external drive that is kept in the same room as the server. The server is also the domain controller and file server. After replacing the drive and restoring from backup, the IT administrator discovers that some user files are missing because they were created after the backup. The administrator needs to minimize data loss in the future. Which of the following should be implemented?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "minimum / minimize"
Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use a cloud-based backup solution.
A cloud-based backup solution automatically stores backups offsite, ensuring that even if the local site is compromised or the backup drive fails, recent data is recoverable. This minimizes data loss by enabling more frequent backups (e.g., hourly or continuous) without relying on manual intervention or physical media rotation, directly addressing the 3-day gap in the scenario.
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.
✓
Use a cloud-based backup solution.
Why this is correct
Provides automated offsite backups with flexible scheduling, reducing data loss risk.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Perform daily backups and store them offsite.
Why it's wrong here
A good practice but may be costly and requires manual offsite transfer; cloud is more efficient.
✗
Implement RAID 1 for disk redundancy.
Why it's wrong here
Protects against disk failure but not against accidental deletion or corruption.
✗
Enable versioning on the file server.
Why it's wrong here
Helps recover previous versions but does not protect against hardware failure of the server itself.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests the distinction between high availability (RAID, redundancy) and backup/disaster recovery, leading candidates to mistakenly choose RAID 1 as a solution for data loss when it only protects against hardware failure, not data corruption or user error.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Cloud backup solutions often use incremental or continuous data protection (CDP) to capture file changes in near real-time, reducing the Recovery Point Objective (RPO) to minutes rather than days. For example, services like AWS Backup or Azure Backup can leverage block-level replication and snapshot technologies to restore individual files without requiring a full server restore, which is critical for recovering user files created after the last full backup.
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 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.
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: Use a cloud-based backup solution. — A cloud-based backup solution automatically stores backups offsite, ensuring that even if the local site is compromised or the backup drive fails, recent data is recoverable. This minimizes data loss by enabling more frequent backups (e.g., hourly or continuous) without relying on manual intervention or physical media rotation, directly addressing the 3-day gap in the scenario.
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: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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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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