- A
Use cross-region replication
Why wrong: Replication alone doesn't prevent ransomware from affecting data.
- B
Implement immutable storage (e.g., Object Lock)
Immutable storage prevents data from being altered or deleted.
- C
Configure signed URLs for access
Why wrong: Signed URLs control access but don't protect against ransomware.
- D
Enable object versioning
Versioning preserves previous versions for recovery.
- E
Set short object lifetimes using lifecycle policies
Why wrong: Lifecycle policies delete objects automatically, which could be exploited.
Question 534 of 1,000
CCSP Cloud Data Security Practice Question
This CCSP practice question tests your understanding of cloud data security. 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.
A company stores sensitive data in cloud object storage and wants to protect against ransomware attacks that could encrypt or delete objects. Which TWO measures should they implement? (Choose two.)
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
✓
Implement immutable storage (e.g., Object Lock)
Immutable storage (Object Lock) prevents objects from being deleted or overwritten during a specified retention period, directly thwarting ransomware that attempts to encrypt or delete data. This is a foundational defense because even if an attacker gains write access, they cannot modify or remove locked objects, preserving clean backups.
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.
- ✗
Use cross-region replication
Why it's wrong here
Replication alone doesn't prevent ransomware from affecting data.
- ✓
Implement immutable storage (e.g., Object Lock)
Why this is correct
Immutable storage prevents data from being altered or deleted.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Configure signed URLs for access
Why it's wrong here
Signed URLs control access but don't protect against ransomware.
- ✓
Enable object versioning
Why this is correct
Versioning preserves previous versions for recovery.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Set short object lifetimes using lifecycle policies
Why it's wrong here
Lifecycle policies delete objects automatically, which could be exploited.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests whether candidates confuse data availability features (like replication or versioning) with data immutability, leading them to pick cross-region replication or versioning as a ransomware defense when only Object Lock provides true write-once protection.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Object Lock in S3-compatible storage uses a write-once-read-many (WORM) model, enforcing either a retention period (governance or compliance mode) or a legal hold. In compliance mode, even the root user cannot delete an object until the retention period expires, and the retention date is stored as object metadata. This differs from versioning, which preserves overwritten versions but still allows deletion of the current version if the attacker has delete permissions.
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 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.
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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Cloud Data Security — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CCSP question test?
Cloud Data Security — This question tests Cloud Data Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Implement immutable storage (e.g., Object Lock) — Immutable storage (Object Lock) prevents objects from being deleted or overwritten during a specified retention period, directly thwarting ransomware that attempts to encrypt or delete data. This is a foundational defense because even if an attacker gains write access, they cannot modify or remove locked objects, preserving clean backups.
What should I do if I get this CCSP question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This CCSP 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 CCSP exam.
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