The correct answer is the isolation of WKS-045 from the network at 14:25, because the incident containment step in cybersecurity is defined as the immediate action taken to stop a threat from spreading while preserving evidence for analysis. By cutting off network connectivity, the team effectively contained the incident, preventing lateral movement to other systems—a priority before any eradication or recovery efforts begin. On the ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity CC exam, this concept tests your understanding of the NIST SP 800-61 incident response lifecycle, where containment is a distinct phase that must occur before scanning or removal. A common trap is confusing containment with eradication; remember that containment is about stopping the spread, not removing the threat. Memory tip: think “C” for Containment = Cut off connectivity first.
ISC2 CC Business Continuity, DR & Incident Response Practice Question
This CC practice question tests your understanding of business continuity, dr & incident response. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
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Incident #1023 - Malware Infection
Detection: Antivirus alert on workstation WKS-045
Time: 2024-03-15 14:22 UTC
Actions:
14:25 - Isolated WKS-045 from network
14:30 - Scanned system, detected Trojan.Downloader
14:35 - Escalated to incident handler
14:45 - Removed malware via AV
15:00 - System back online
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Based on the incident log, at which step did the incident response team contain the threat?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
14:25 - Isolated WKS-045 from network
Option C is correct because containment is the immediate step to prevent the threat from spreading, and isolating WKS-045 from the network at 14:25 achieves this by cutting off its network connectivity. This aligns with the NIST SP 800-61 incident response lifecycle, where containment is prioritized before eradication or recovery. The log shows isolation occurred before scanning or removal, making it the correct containment action.
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.
Scanning is part of identification/analysis, not containment.
✗
14:45 - Removed malware via AV
Why it's wrong here
Removal is eradication, which follows containment.
✓
14:25 - Isolated WKS-045 from network
Why this is correct
Isolation prevents further spread, containing the threat.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
14:35 - Escalated to incident handler
Why it's wrong here
Escalation is communication, not containment.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests the distinction between containment and eradication, where candidates mistakenly choose removal (Option B) as containment, but containment must stop the spread before any cleanup occurs.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Network isolation typically involves disabling the switch port (e.g., via SNMP or CLI command `shutdown` on the interface) or applying an ACL to block all traffic to/from the host, effectively implementing a Layer 2 or Layer 3 containment. In real-world scenarios, failure to isolate quickly can allow malware like Trojan.Downloader to propagate via SMB or RDP, compromising adjacent systems within seconds. The incident response team must prioritize containment over eradication to minimize blast radius, as per the SANS PICERL model.
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.
Business Continuity, DR & Incident Response — This question tests Business Continuity, DR & Incident Response — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: 14:25 - Isolated WKS-045 from network — Option C is correct because containment is the immediate step to prevent the threat from spreading, and isolating WKS-045 from the network at 14:25 achieves this by cutting off its network connectivity. This aligns with the NIST SP 800-61 incident response lifecycle, where containment is prioritized before eradication or recovery. The log shows isolation occurred before scanning or removal, making it the correct containment action.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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