The correct first step when a backup site is missing security patches during a DR exercise is to document the finding and assess the risk. This is because, in any incident or exercise scenario, the priority is to establish a clear record of the issue and evaluate its potential impact before taking any action that could disrupt the test or introduce new problems. Patching immediately might cause system instability or conflicts with the exercise, while shutting down the site would halt the DR test entirely, both of which are premature without a risk assessment. On the ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity CC exam, this question tests your understanding of the incident response process and the principle of "assess before you act," often appearing as a trap where candidates rush to patch or isolate. A common memory tip is "Document and Decide"—always log the finding first, then determine the risk level before choosing a remediation path.
ISC2 CC Business Continuity, DR & Incident Response Practice Question
This CC practice question tests your understanding of business continuity, dr & incident response. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
During a disaster recovery exercise, the team discovers that the backup site does not have the latest security patches applied. Which of the following steps should be taken FIRST?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Document the finding and assess risk
The first step in any incident or exercise finding is to document the issue and assess the risk it poses. Patching the backup site immediately (Option A) could introduce instability or conflicts with the current exercise, while shutting it down (Option B) would disrupt the DR test. By documenting and assessing risk first, the team can determine the appropriate remediation priority based on the backup site's role and the criticality of the missing patches.
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.
✗
Patch the backup site immediately
Why it's wrong here
Applying patches without assessment may interfere with the test objectives.
✗
Shut down the backup site
Why it's wrong here
Shutting down is unnecessarily disruptive; the site may still be usable.
✓
Document the finding and assess risk
Why this is correct
Proper incident response documentation and risk assessment are critical first steps.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Continue the exercise and note the issue
Why it's wrong here
The issue should be formally documented and risk assessed, not just noted.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests the principle that 'document and assess' must precede any corrective action, even in an exercise, to avoid impulsive changes that could invalidate the test results or introduce new risks.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In a disaster recovery context, the backup site often runs a replicated environment that may be out of sync with the primary site's patch levels. The risk assessment should consider whether the missing patches expose the backup to known CVEs (e.g., a critical remote code execution vulnerability) and whether the backup is intended for immediate failover or only for data recovery. This aligns with the BIA (Business Impact Analysis) and RTO/RPO metrics, where patching might be deferred if the backup is not expected to be activated within the patch window.
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: Document the finding and assess risk — The first step in any incident or exercise finding is to document the issue and assess the risk it poses. Patching the backup site immediately (Option A) could introduce instability or conflicts with the current exercise, while shutting it down (Option B) would disrupt the DR test. By documenting and assessing risk first, the team can determine the appropriate remediation priority based on the backup site's role and the criticality of the missing patches.
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: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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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