The answer is to verify data integrity on the primary server. A checksum mismatch during database replication signals that data has become corrupted on either the primary or the replica, so the first action must be to confirm which copy holds the correct data before attempting any repair. This step is critical because blindly resynchronizing from a corrupted primary would propagate the error, while failing to check the primary could lead to restoring bad data from a replica. On the ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity CC exam, this scenario tests your understanding of data integrity controls and incident response prioritization—a common trap is jumping to rebuild the replica or restart replication without first validating the source. Remember the mnemonic “Check the Source First” to avoid that mistake.
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.
Exhibit
ERROR 2023-10-16 03:00:00 Replication failed: checksum mismatch on table 'orders' between primary (hash: a1b2c3) and standby (hash: d4e5f6)
WARN 2023-10-16 03:00:01 Automatic recovery initiated
ERROR 2023-10-16 03:15:00 Replication failed: checksum mismatch again
Refer to the exhibit. A DBA is investigating a replication issue. What should be the FIRST 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.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Verify data integrity on primary
Checksum mismatch indicates data corruption on one side. The first step is to verify data integrity on the primary to determine which copy is correct.
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.
✗
Restore table from backup
Why it's wrong here
Restoring from backup is a last resort after verifying integrity.
✓
Verify data integrity on primary
Why this is correct
Check primary data to ensure it is not corrupted before taking further action.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Reseed replication
Why it's wrong here
Reseeding may be needed, but first determine the source of corruption.
✗
Fail over to standby
Why it's wrong here
Failing over without knowing which copy is correct could propagate corruption.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 analyst at a medium-sized enterprise encounters this scenario during an investigation or architecture review. The correct answer reflects best practice for the specific threat or control described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CC question in full detail.
Identify which CC exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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: Verify data integrity on primary — Checksum mismatch indicates data corruption on one side. The first step is to verify data integrity on the primary to determine which copy is correct.
What should I do if I get this CC question wrong?
Identify which CC exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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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