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Asset Security →hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

CISSP Asset Security Practice Question

This CISSP practice question tests your understanding of asset security. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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.

Exhibit

Refer to the exhibit.

{
  "policy": {
    "id": "data-retention",
    "rules": [
      {
        "data_type": "PII",
        "retention_days": 365,
        "action": "delete"
      },
      {
        "data_type": "FinancialRecords",
        "retention_days": 2555,
        "action": "archive"
      }
    ],
    "exceptions": [
      {
        "reason": "Legal hold: Case 2024-007",
        "data_ids": ["FIN-001", "FIN-002"],
        "action": "preserve"
      }
    ]
  }
}

Refer to the exhibit. A legal hold exception preserves FinancialRecords FIN-001 and FIN-002. What is the correct action for FinancialRecords that are not under legal hold?

Question 1hardmultiple choice
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Exhibit

Refer to the exhibit.

{
  "policy": {
    "id": "data-retention",
    "rules": [
      {
        "data_type": "PII",
        "retention_days": 365,
        "action": "delete"
      },
      {
        "data_type": "FinancialRecords",
        "retention_days": 2555,
        "action": "archive"
      }
    ],
    "exceptions": [
      {
        "reason": "Legal hold: Case 2024-007",
        "data_ids": ["FIN-001", "FIN-002"],
        "action": "preserve"
      }
    ]
  }
}

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

✓

They should be archived after 2555 days

The exhibit shows a retention policy for FinancialRecords with a retention period of 2555 days (7 years). Legal hold exceptions preserve FIN-001 and FIN-002, but records not under legal hold must follow the standard retention policy. The correct action is to archive them after 2555 days, as archiving retains data for compliance or future reference without indefinite preservation, aligning with the policy's lifecycle.

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.

  • ✗

    They should be audited and then preserved indefinitely

    Why it's wrong here

    No such rule; only legal hold exceptions preserve.

  • ✓

    They should be archived after 2555 days

    Why this is correct

    The rule specifies archive action for FinancialRecords.

    Related concept

    Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

  • ✗

    They should be deleted after 2555 days

    Why it's wrong here

    Action for FinancialRecords is archive, not delete.

  • ✗

    They should be deleted after 365 days

    Why it's wrong here

    Delete applies to PII, not FinancialRecords.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

The trap here is confusing 'archive' with 'delete' — candidates often assume that after a retention period ends, data must be deleted, but archiving is a separate action that preserves data for long-term compliance or historical purposes, while deletion is only appropriate when the policy explicitly states it.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

In data lifecycle management, retention policies define how long data is kept based on regulatory or business requirements, such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) or IRS guidelines, which often mandate 7-year retention for financial records. Archiving moves data to a lower-cost storage tier (e.g., cold storage or tape) while preserving its integrity and accessibility, unlike deletion which permanently removes it. Legal hold exceptions override the retention policy for specific records, but all others must follow the standard schedule to ensure compliance and avoid spoliation risks.

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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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this CISSP question test?

Asset Security — This question tests Asset Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: They should be archived after 2555 days — The exhibit shows a retention policy for FinancialRecords with a retention period of 2555 days (7 years). Legal hold exceptions preserve FIN-001 and FIN-002, but records not under legal hold must follow the standard retention policy. The correct action is to archive them after 2555 days, as archiving retains data for compliance or future reference without indefinite preservation, aligning with the policy's lifecycle.

What should I do if I get this CISSP 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: Jun 24, 2026

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This CISSP 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 CISSP exam.