- A
Full backup
Why wrong: Full backup copies all data, but the description says only changes since last full backup.
- B
Differential backup
Differential backs up changes since the last full backup.
- C
Copy backup
Why wrong: Copy backup copies all data without marking as backed up.
- D
Incremental backup
Why wrong: Incremental backs up changes since the last backup of any type, not just full.
Question 237 of 1,000
SSCP Security Operations and Administration Practice Question
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of security operations and administration. 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.
A company uses a backup strategy that backs up all data every Sunday and backs up only data that has changed since the last full backup on other days. This is an example of which backup type?
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
✓
Differential backup
The described strategy backs up all data on Sunday (a full backup) and then on other days backs up only data that has changed since the last full backup. This is the defining characteristic of a differential backup: it always references the most recent full backup, not the previous day's backup. Unlike incremental backups, differential backups do not reset the archive bit after each run, so each differential backup grows in size until the next full backup.
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.
- ✗
Full backup
Why it's wrong here
Full backup copies all data, but the description says only changes since last full backup.
- ✓
Differential backup
Why this is correct
Differential backs up changes since the last full backup.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Copy backup
Why it's wrong here
Copy backup copies all data without marking as backed up.
- ✗
Incremental backup
Why it's wrong here
Incremental backs up changes since the last backup of any type, not just full.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is confusing 'changed since the last full backup' (differential) with 'changed since the last backup' (incremental), causing candidates to mistakenly select incremental backup when the key phrase 'since the last full backup' clearly indicates differential.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, backup software uses the archive attribute (or a change journal in NTFS) to track modified files. In a differential backup, the software does not clear the archive bit after backing up, so each subsequent differential includes all changes since the last full backup. This means restore requires only the last full backup plus the most recent differential, unlike incremental backups which require the full backup and every incremental in sequence. In real-world scenarios, differential backups are preferred when faster restore times are critical, even though they consume more storage space over the backup cycle.
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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Security Operations and Administration — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SSCP question test?
Security Operations and Administration — This question tests Security Operations and Administration — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Differential backup — The described strategy backs up all data on Sunday (a full backup) and then on other days backs up only data that has changed since the last full backup. This is the defining characteristic of a differential backup: it always references the most recent full backup, not the previous day's backup. Unlike incremental backups, differential backups do not reset the archive bit after each run, so each differential backup grows in size until the next full backup.
What should I do if I get this SSCP 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 SSCP 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 SSCP exam.
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