Volatile Data Collection Order for Incident Response
In incident response, which TWO are considered volatile data that should be collected first? (Select exactly 2.)
Quick Answer
The answer is memory contents and network connections. These two are considered the most volatile data in incident response because they exist only while the system is actively running and are permanently lost the moment power is cut or the system is rebooted. Memory contents, such as running processes and open files, vanish instantly when the computer shuts down, while network connections represent active communication channels that disappear as soon as the network cable is unplugged or the system goes offline. On the ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity CC exam, this question tests your understanding of the order of volatility, a core forensic principle that prioritizes collecting the most ephemeral evidence first to preserve it before it is destroyed. A common trap is to assume that hard drive data is more volatile, but it persists after power loss, making it less urgent. Remember the mnemonic “Memory and Networks Melt First” to recall that these two must be captured before anything else.
⚠ Common exam trap
ISC2 often tests the distinction between volatile and non-volatile data, and the trap here is that candidates mistakenly classify system logs as volatile because they change frequently, but logs are stored on disk and are not lost on power-off, whereas network connections and memory are lost immediately.
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
✓
Network connections
Option B (Network connections) is correct because active connections, ARP caches, routing tables, and open sockets reside only in memory and kernel state and are lost on shutdown or reboot, making them highly volatile and requiring immediate capture with tools like netstat, ss, or netflow. Option E (Memory contents) is correct because RAM holds running processes, encryption keys, injected code, and uncommitted data that vanish when power is removed, so it must be acquired first using a memory imager such as FTK Imager or WinPmem. Option A (Hard drive contents) is not the most volatile since disk data persists across reboots and is collected later in the order of volatility. Option C (Backup tapes) is non-volatile offline media that retains data indefinitely and is not time-sensitive. Option D (System logs) may be stored on disk and, while useful, are less volatile than live network state and RAM, so they are not among the first two to collect.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Hard drive contents
Why it's wrong here
Hard drive data is non-volatile and can be imaged later.
- ✓
Network connections
Why this is correct
Network connections exist only in running memory and vanish on shutdown or reboot, so they must be captured before disk imaging. Collecting them first preserves evidence of active command-and-control, lateral movement and exfiltration that the stem's volatile-data ordering demands.
- ✗
Backup tapes
Why it's wrong here
Backups are non-volatile and offline.
- ✗
System logs
Why it's wrong here
Logs stored on disk are non-volatile.
- ✓
Memory contents
Why this is correct
Memory contents hold running processes, encryption keys, injected code and unencrypted data that disappear once power is removed. Capturing RAM first satisfies the stem's volatile-data requirement, since disk artefacts alone cannot reconstruct in-memory attacker activity.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Network Security Foundations
Key term
NetFlow
NetFlow is a network protocol developed by Cisco that collects and monitors IP traffic data to provide visibility into network usage, performance, and security.
Key term
Incident response
Incident response is the structured approach an organization uses to identify, contain, and recover from cybersecurity incidents like data breaches or ransomware attacks.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on CC
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. During an incident, an organization needs to preserve volatile data. Which of the following should be collected FIRST?
medium- A.Backup tapes
- ✓ B.Memory contents
- C.Hard drive contents
- D.Network logs
Why B: Volatile data is lost when the system loses power. Memory content is the most volatile.
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.