The correct answer is that backups must be encrypted and stored offline or air-gapped. This is the key requirement because ransomware often targets connected, online backup drives, encrypting them alongside production data; an offline or air-gapped copy physically severs the network connection, making it inaccessible to the malware’s encryption process. On the CISSP exam, this concept tests your understanding of the “defense in depth” principle within the Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery domain, where the common trap is assuming that simply having multiple copies or using cloud storage alone is sufficient—attackers can compromise credentials and encrypt cloud-synced backups too. A strong memory tip is to think of the “3-2-1 rule” with a critical twist: three copies, two different media, but one must be offline, not just offsite.
CISSP Security Operations Practice Question
This CISSP practice question tests your understanding of security operations. 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.
Which of the following is a key requirement for an effective backup strategy to ensure data can be recovered after a ransomware attack?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Backups are encrypted and stored offline or air-gapped.
Option B is correct because backups that are encrypted and stored offline or air-gapped are protected from encryption by ransomware. Other options would leave backups vulnerable.
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.
✗
Incremental backups are performed monthly.
Why it's wrong here
Too infrequent; may result in significant data loss.
✗
Backups use the same credentials as the production environment.
Why it's wrong here
Attackers could access both using the same credentials.
✗
Backups are stored on the same network as production.
Why it's wrong here
If ransomware encrypts network drives, backups may also be encrypted.
✓
Backups are encrypted and stored offline or air-gapped.
Why this is correct
Immutable backups that cannot be modified or encrypted by ransomware.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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 developer is choosing between AES-256 (symmetric) and RSA-2048 (asymmetric) for encrypting a large file that will be sent to a partner. Symmetric encryption is fast but requires key exchange; asymmetric is slower but solves the key distribution problem. A hybrid approach — encrypt the file with AES, encrypt the AES key with RSA — is standard. Questions like this test whether you understand when each approach applies.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CISSP question in full detail.
Identify which CISSP 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.
Security Operations — This question tests Security Operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Backups are encrypted and stored offline or air-gapped. — Option B is correct because backups that are encrypted and stored offline or air-gapped are protected from encryption by ransomware. Other options would leave backups vulnerable.
What should I do if I get this CISSP question wrong?
Identify which CISSP 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.
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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