- A
Incorrect time synchronization
Why wrong: Time sync would not cause log size to remain static.
- B
Normal log rotation
Why wrong: Rotation typically keeps total size stable but timestamps change.
- C
Insufficient storage capacity
Why wrong: Insufficient storage might cause log rotation, but the size not changing at all is suspicious.
- D
Log tampering or disabled logging
Logs not updating during high activity may indicate intentional stopping or tampering.
Question 415 of 1,000
SSCP Risk Identification, Monitoring, and Analysis Practice Question
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of risk identification, monitoring, and analysis. 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 security engineer is reviewing system logs and notices that the log file size has not changed for several days, despite high system activity. Which log management concern does this indicate?
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
✓
Log tampering or disabled logging
The log file size remaining static despite high system activity strongly indicates that logging has been disabled or the log files have been tampered with (e.g., truncated or replaced with empty files). Under normal operation, a busy system generates continuous log entries, causing the log file size to increase. A complete lack of size change over several days is a classic red flag for log integrity compromise, not a benign administrative action.
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.
- ✗
Incorrect time synchronization
Why it's wrong here
Time sync would not cause log size to remain static.
- ✗
Normal log rotation
Why it's wrong here
Rotation typically keeps total size stable but timestamps change.
- ✗
Insufficient storage capacity
Why it's wrong here
Insufficient storage might cause log rotation, but the size not changing at all is suspicious.
- ✓
Log tampering or disabled logging
Why this is correct
Logs not updating during high activity may indicate intentional stopping or tampering.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that a static log file size is due to log rotation, but rotation actually creates a new active log file with new entries, not a file that remains unchanged for days.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, most Unix-like systems use syslog (RFC 5424) or rsyslog, which write to a file descriptor; if logging is disabled via configuration (e.g., commenting out rules in /etc/rsyslog.conf) or the service is stopped, the file size remains static. In Windows, the Event Log service (wevtsvc) writes to .evtx files; if the service is disabled or the log is cleared, the file size may drop to zero or remain unchanged. A real-world scenario is an attacker who disables logging after gaining access to cover their tracks, often by stopping the syslog daemon or using a tool like 'logger' to fill logs with noise, then truncating the file.
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 SSCP question test?
Risk Identification, Monitoring, and Analysis — This question tests Risk Identification, Monitoring, and Analysis — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Log tampering or disabled logging — The log file size remaining static despite high system activity strongly indicates that logging has been disabled or the log files have been tampered with (e.g., truncated or replaced with empty files). Under normal operation, a busy system generates continuous log entries, causing the log file size to increase. A complete lack of size change over several days is a classic red flag for log integrity compromise, not a benign administrative action.
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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