The answer is to disconnect the server from the network and activate the manual process. This is the correct first action because incident response containment prioritizes immediately severing the communication path to the command-and-control (C2) server, which halts data exfiltration and prevents the attacker from issuing further commands. In the NIST incident response lifecycle, containment is the critical phase that precedes eradication and recovery, and isolating the compromised asset is the fastest way to achieve it. On the ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity CC exam, this scenario tests your ability to balance business continuity with security—a common trap is choosing to keep the server online due to pressure from stakeholders like the CTO, but the correct priority is stopping the active C2 channel. Remember the memory tip: “Cut the C2 cord first”—containment always comes before compliance or convenience.
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 incident response lead for a financial services company. At 09:00, the SOC detects unusual outbound traffic from a server in the DMZ to an external IP known to be a command-and-control (C2) server. The server runs a legacy application that cannot be patched. The server is critical for customer transactions, but an alternate manual process can sustain operations for up to 4 hours. The CTO wants to keep the server online to avoid customer impact. The CEO is concerned about data exfiltration. The compliance officer reminds you of regulatory requirements to report breaches within 72 hours. Which action should you take 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
✓
Disconnect the server from the network and activate the manual process.
The correct first action is to disconnect the server from the network and activate the manual process. This immediately stops potential data exfiltration to the C2 server and contains the incident, aligning with the NIST incident response lifecycle's containment phase. Since the server runs a legacy application that cannot be patched and the manual process can sustain operations for up to 4 hours, isolation is both feasible and necessary to prevent further compromise while maintaining business continuity.
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.
✗
Report the incident to the regulatory authority immediately.
Why it's wrong here
Reporting is important but not the first action; containment takes precedence.
✗
Perform a forensic analysis of the server to determine the scope of compromise.
Why it's wrong here
Analysis should follow containment to prevent ongoing damage.
✓
Disconnect the server from the network and activate the manual process.
Why this is correct
Immediate containment stops the C2 communication and protects data.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Keep the server online under close monitoring to minimize customer disruption.
Why it's wrong here
Continued operation risks data exfiltration and further compromise.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests the principle that containment must precede any other action, even when business pressure or regulatory deadlines exist, to prevent candidates from prioritizing reporting or analysis over stopping the active threat.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In incident response, the containment phase is critical to prevent an attacker from achieving their objectives, such as data exfiltration via C2 channels (e.g., HTTPS or DNS tunneling). Disconnecting the server at the network layer (e.g., via ACL or physically unplugging the cable) immediately terminates TCP sessions and stops any ongoing data transfer. The manual process provides a temporary business continuity solution, but the 4-hour window imposes a strict timeline for subsequent forensic analysis and remediation.
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: Disconnect the server from the network and activate the manual process. — The correct first action is to disconnect the server from the network and activate the manual process. This immediately stops potential data exfiltration to the C2 server and contains the incident, aligning with the NIST incident response lifecycle's containment phase. Since the server runs a legacy application that cannot be patched and the manual process can sustain operations for up to 4 hours, isolation is both feasible and necessary to prevent further compromise while maintaining business continuity.
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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