- A
Delete all infected files and rebuild the file server from scratch without involving backups.
Why wrong: Deleting files does not remove the ransomware and would result in permanent data loss if no backups are used.
- B
Ignore the incident and continue operations, assuming it will resolve on its own.
Why wrong: Ignoring the incident allows the ransomware to spread and cause greater damage.
- C
Pay the ransom immediately to minimize downtime and recover data quickly.
Why wrong: Paying the ransom is not recommended as it may not lead to data recovery and funds criminal activity.
- D
Isolate the infected systems from the network, then restore data from the most recent verified backup.
Isolation stops the spread, and restoring from verified backups is the standard incident response procedure.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to isolate the infected systems from the network, then restore data from the most recent verified backup. This is the most appropriate first course of action because containment is the immediate priority in any ransomware incident response; isolating the compromised machines stops the ransomware from spreading laterally across the network and encrypting additional files. Once containment is achieved, restoring from a verified backup—rather than paying the ransom—ensures data integrity and avoids funding criminal activity, since paying does not guarantee decryption. On the ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity CC exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the incident response phases, specifically the containment and eradication steps, and it often appears as a trap where the distractor is “pay the ransom” or “activate the untested plan first.” A common memory tip is the “Isolate, then Restore” rule: never negotiate, never pay—always cut the connection and go to backup.
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.
You are the cybersecurity lead for a mid-sized retail company. One morning, employees report that they cannot access files on the shared drive, and a ransom note appears on several screens demanding $50,000 in Bitcoin. The company has a formal incident response plan that was last updated two years ago and has never been tested. Backups are taken nightly to an on-premises tape library and also replicated to a cloud storage service but have not been verified recently. The CEO is insisting on paying the ransom to avoid business disruption. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate first course of action?
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.
Clue:
"never"Why it matters: Absolute qualifier. True only if the statement has zero exceptions — be cautious of options that seem obvious but break down in edge cases.
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
Isolate the infected systems from the network, then restore data from the most recent verified backup.
Option D is correct because the first priority in any ransomware incident is containment: isolating infected systems prevents lateral movement and further encryption. Restoring from the most recent verified backup ensures data integrity and avoids paying the ransom, which does not guarantee decryption and funds criminal activity. The incident response plan should then be activated and updated based on lessons learned.
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.
- ✗
Delete all infected files and rebuild the file server from scratch without involving backups.
Why it's wrong here
Deleting files does not remove the ransomware and would result in permanent data loss if no backups are used.
- ✗
Ignore the incident and continue operations, assuming it will resolve on its own.
Why it's wrong here
Ignoring the incident allows the ransomware to spread and cause greater damage.
- ✗
Pay the ransom immediately to minimize downtime and recover data quickly.
Why it's wrong here
Paying the ransom is not recommended as it may not lead to data recovery and funds criminal activity.
- ✓
Isolate the infected systems from the network, then restore data from the most recent verified backup.
Why this is correct
Isolation stops the spread, and restoring from verified backups is the standard incident response procedure.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "first", "never" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests the misconception that paying the ransom is the fastest way to recover data, but the correct answer emphasizes containment and verified backups as the primary incident response steps.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Ransomware typically encrypts files using a symmetric key (e.g., AES-256) that is then encrypted with an attacker-controlled asymmetric key (e.g., RSA-2048). Without the private key, decryption is computationally infeasible. Verified backups are the only reliable recovery method; unverified backups may contain dormant malware or be corrupted, so integrity checks (e.g., hash verification, test restores) are critical before restoration.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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Business Continuity, DR & Incident Response — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CC question test?
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: Isolate the infected systems from the network, then restore data from the most recent verified backup. — Option D is correct because the first priority in any ransomware incident is containment: isolating infected systems prevents lateral movement and further encryption. Restoring from the most recent verified backup ensures data integrity and avoids paying the ransom, which does not guarantee decryption and funds criminal activity. The incident response plan should then be activated and updated based on lessons learned.
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", "never". 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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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
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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