hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
ISC2 CC Practice Question: During an incident response, a forensics analyst…
During an incident response, a forensics analyst captures a memory dump from a compromised server. The analyst needs to ensure the dump is not altered during analysis. Which practice best maintains integrity?
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
✓
Generate a cryptographic hash of the dump before analysis
Creating a cryptographic hash (e.g., SHA-256) of the original dump and verifying it before and after analysis ensures integrity. Option D is correct. Option A (encryption) protects confidentiality, not integrity. Option B (chain of custody) documents handling but doesn't prevent alteration by itself. Option C (restrict access) is about access control, not integrity verification.
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 the memory dump file
Why it's wrong here
Encryption protects confidentiality, not integrity.
- ✗
Maintain a chain of custody log
Why it's wrong here
Chain of custody logs document handling but do not prevent alteration of the file itself.
- ✗
Restrict access to the dump to authorized personnel only
Why it's wrong here
Restricting access limits who can interact with the file but does not verify or guarantee the file hasn't been altered.
- ✓
Generate a cryptographic hash of the dump before analysis
Why this is correct
A cryptographic hash creates a unique fingerprint; verifying it before and after analysis ensures the dump has not been modified.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Access Control Fundamentals
Key term
Analysis
In incident response, analysis is the process of examining data and events to determine what happened, how it happened, and what actions to take.
Key term
Confidentiality
Confidentiality means keeping sensitive information secret and accessible only to authorized people or systems.
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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.