Quick Answer
The answer is availability, because the core goal of restoring critical data after a ransomware attack is to ensure that authorized users can access that data when needed. Availability is the principle that guarantees systems and data are operational and accessible on demand, and backups are the primary control used to recover from incidents like ransomware, which deliberately locks or destroys data to deny access. On the ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity CC exam, this concept tests your ability to distinguish the CIA Triad principles: a common trap is confusing availability with integrity, but integrity focuses on data accuracy and preventing unauthorized modification, not on restoring access. Ransomware directly attacks availability by encrypting files, so the correct response always points to recovery and uptime. A useful memory tip is to think of the word “accessible” — if the scenario involves restoring, retrieving, or maintaining access to data, the principle is availability.
This CC practice question tests your understanding of security principles. 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.
After a ransomware attack, the company wants to ensure that critical data can be restored. Which principle is being addressed?
Integrity
Why wrong: Integrity ensures data accuracy.
Confidentiality
Why wrong: Confidentiality prevents unauthorized disclosure.
Availability
Availability ensures data is accessible when needed; backups support recovery.
Non-repudiation
Why wrong: Non-repudiation ensures actions cannot be denied.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Availability
Correct: C - Availability. Availability ensures data is accessible when needed, and backups are a key control. Option A is wrong because confidentiality prevents unauthorized disclosure. Option B is wrong because integrity ensures data accuracy. Option D is wrong because non-repudiation ensures actions cannot be denied.
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.
Integrity
Why it's wrong here
Integrity ensures data accuracy.
Confidentiality
Why it's wrong here
Confidentiality prevents unauthorized disclosure.
Availability
Why this is correct
Availability ensures data is accessible when needed; backups support recovery.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Non-repudiation
Why it's wrong here
Non-repudiation ensures actions cannot be denied.
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 developer is choosing between AES-256 (symmetric) and RSA-2048 (asymmetric) for encrypting a large file that will be sent to a partner. Symmetric encryption is fast but requires key exchange; asymmetric is slower but solves the key distribution problem. A hybrid approach — encrypt the file with AES, encrypt the AES key with RSA — is standard. Questions like this test whether you understand when each approach applies.
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: Availability — Correct: C - Availability. Availability ensures data is accessible when needed, and backups are a key control. Option A is wrong because confidentiality prevents unauthorized disclosure. Option B is wrong because integrity ensures data accuracy. Option D is wrong because non-repudiation ensures actions cannot be denied.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A security analyst discovers that an employee's workstation has been infected with ransomware. Which security principle has been directly violated?
easyWhy B: Ransomware directly violates the availability security principle because it encrypts files and systems, rendering them inaccessible to authorized users. While the infection may also impact confidentiality or integrity, the immediate and primary effect is denial of access to data and services, which is a breach of availability.
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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