ISC2 CC Practice Question: Business Continuity, Disaster Recovery, and Incident Response
An organization adopts the 3-2-1 backup rule. Which combination of backups satisfies this rule?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse 'three backups' with 'three copies' — candidates count only the backup targets and forget that primary storage counts as one of the three copies.
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
✓
Primary storage, backup server (disk), and cloud storage
The 3-2-1 rule requires three copies of data, on two different media types, with one copy stored offsite. Option D satisfies all three: the primary storage is copy one, the on-premises disk backup server is copy two on a different medium, and cloud storage is copy three stored offsite. This combination is the canonical textbook example of a compliant 3-2-1 implementation.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Primary storage and one tape backup stored offsite
Why it's wrong here
Only two copies exist: the primary data and one tape, so the rule's requirement for three total copies is unmet. It is tempting because the offsite tape satisfies the separate-location element, and would be correct if a second backup copy were added to reach three.
- ✗
Primary storage and two tape backups in the same room
Why it's wrong here
Both tape backups share the same room as each other, so a localised incident destroys all copies, breaching the offsite requirement. It is tempting because three copies on two media types are present, and would be correct if one tape were relocated to a different site.
- ✗
Primary storage, backup server (disk), and a second backup server (disk) in the same building
Why it's wrong here
All three copies sit in one building, so a single fire or flood destroys every backup, failing the rule's offsite requirement. It is tempting because it does provide three copies on two media types, and would be correct if the third copy were stored at a separate geographic location.
- ✓
Primary storage, backup server (disk), and cloud storage
Why this is correct
Three copies exist (primary, disk backup, cloud), on two media types (disk and cloud), with one copy offsite in the cloud. This satisfies the 3-2-1 rule's requirement for an offsite copy, protecting against site-level loss.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official ISC2 exam blueprint
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