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ISC2 CC Practice Question: During a security incident, the incident response…
During a security incident, the incident response team isolates a compromised workstation from the network. What is the primary purpose of this action?
⚠ Common exam trap
ISC2 often tests the distinction between containment (stopping the spread) and eradication (removing the threat); the trap here is that candidates confuse the secondary benefit of preserving evidence (Option C) with the primary purpose of isolation, which is to prevent further damage.
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
✓
To prevent further damage.
Isolating a compromised workstation by disconnecting it from the network (e.g., disabling its switch port or unplugging the Ethernet cable) immediately stops all inbound and outbound traffic. This containment action prevents the attacker from moving laterally to other systems, exfiltrating data, or deploying additional malware, thereby limiting the scope and impact of the incident.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
To prevent further damage.
Why this is correct
Containment stops the attack from spreading.
- ✗
To comply with legal requirements.
Why it's wrong here
Compliance may require isolation but it is not the primary purpose.
- ✗
To preserve forensic evidence.
Why it's wrong here
Isolation helps but evidence preservation is a separate process.
- ✗
To allow normal operations to continue.
Why it's wrong here
Isolation disrupts operations, it does not allow them to continue normally.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Introduction to Security Principles
Key term
Malware
Malware is any software intentionally designed to cause damage, disrupt operations, steal data, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems.
Key term
Containment
Containment is the incident response phase where security teams isolate a compromised system or network to prevent the threat from spreading further while preserving evidence.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.