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.
This CC practice question tests your understanding of business continuity, dr & incident response. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
In incident response, which TWO are considered volatile data that should be collected first? (Select exactly 2.)
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.
Hard drive contents
Why wrong: Hard drive data is non-volatile and can be imaged later.
Network connections
Active network connections are ephemeral and lost after reboot.
Backup tapes
Why wrong: Backups are non-volatile and offline.
System logs
Why wrong: Logs stored on disk are non-volatile.
Memory contents
Memory is lost immediately upon power loss.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Network connections
Network connections (option B) are volatile because they represent active communication channels that disappear when the system is powered off or disconnected. In incident response, collecting network connection data (e.g., using netstat -an) first preserves evidence of ongoing malicious activity, such as command-and-control (C2) traffic or lateral movement, before it is lost.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
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
Active network connections are ephemeral and lost after reboot.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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 is lost immediately upon power loss.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
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.
Detailed technical explanation
Volatile data follows the 'order of volatility' principle, where memory (RAM) is the most volatile because it contains running processes, encryption keys, and injected code that disappear instantly on power loss. Network connections, while slightly less volatile than memory, are still highly transient—they can be terminated by an attacker or by network changes, and tools like netstat or ss must be run before any isolation step to capture source/destination IPs, ports, and connection states (e.g., ESTABLISHED, TIME_WAIT). In real-world scenarios, failing to capture network connections first can lose evidence of an active C2 channel that the attacker may close upon detection.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A SOC analyst notices unusual lateral movement in the network at 2 AM. The IR playbook dictates: identify and contain (isolate the affected machine), then eradicate (remove the malware), then recover (restore from backup), then document. Skipping containment before eradication risks the attacker regaining access. Questions like this test the sequence and rationale of incident response phases.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Business Continuity, DR & Incident Response — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Business Continuity, DR & Incident Response — This question tests Business Continuity, DR & Incident Response — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Network connections — Network connections (option B) are volatile because they represent active communication channels that disappear when the system is powered off or disconnected. In incident response, collecting network connection data (e.g., using netstat -an) first preserves evidence of ongoing malicious activity, such as command-and-control (C2) traffic or lateral movement, before it is lost.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Same concept, more angles
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?
mediumWhy B: Volatile data is lost when the system loses power. Memory content is the most volatile.
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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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