The answer is storing backups in a separate physical location and encrypting backup data. Storing media off-site protects against site-specific disasters like fire or theft, ensuring data survivability, while encryption safeguards confidentiality and integrity if the media is lost or stolen during transit or at rest. On the ISC2 CC exam, this pairing tests your grasp of defense in depth and compliance fundamentals, often appearing as a trap where one option is correct but the other is a distractor like “store backups in the same server room” or “use unencrypted tapes for speed.” Remember that backup media management is not just about having a copy—it’s about secure isolation and cryptographic protection. A simple memory tip: “Off-site and encrypt—don’t let your backup be a breach.”
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.
Which TWO are best practices for managing backup media?
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.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Encrypt backup data
Encrypting backup data ensures confidentiality and integrity during transit and at rest, protecting against unauthorized access if media is lost or stolen. This is a critical best practice for compliance with standards like GDPR or HIPAA, and aligns with the principle of defense in depth. Without encryption, backup media becomes a significant security vulnerability.
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.
✓
Encrypt backup data
Why this is correct
Encryption protects sensitive data from unauthorized access.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Keep backups on the same server for easy access
Why it's wrong here
Storing backups on the same server risks total loss.
✓
Store backups in a separate physical location
Why this is correct
Off-site storage protects against site-wide disasters.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use only tape media
Why it's wrong here
Using only tape is overly restrictive; multiple media types are acceptable.
✗
Test backups annually
Why it's wrong here
Annual testing is too infrequent; quarterly or more frequent testing is recommended.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests the 3-2-1 backup rule (three copies, two different media, one offsite) to trick candidates into thinking that keeping backups on the same server is acceptable for convenience, when it actually violates the core principle of redundancy.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Encryption for backup media typically uses AES-256 (e.g., via OpenSSL or hardware encryption on LTO tape drives) with key management integrated into the backup software (e.g., Veeam, NetBackup). A subtle but critical behavior is that encryption must be applied before the data leaves the source server to avoid plaintext exposure on the network; this is often achieved with client-side encryption. In a real-world scenario, a company storing unencrypted backups in a colocation facility suffered a data breach when the facility was burglarized, highlighting why encryption is non-negotiable.
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 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.
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: Encrypt backup data — Encrypting backup data ensures confidentiality and integrity during transit and at rest, protecting against unauthorized access if media is lost or stolen. This is a critical best practice for compliance with standards like GDPR or HIPAA, and aligns with the principle of defense in depth. Without encryption, backup media becomes a significant security vulnerability.
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". 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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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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