- A
Both internal and external scans must be performed quarterly
PCI DSS mandates quarterly internal and external vulnerability scans.
- B
Scans are required only after significant changes to the network
Why wrong: While change-driven scans are recommended, PCI DSS still requires quarterly scans.
- C
Only the external scans need to be done quarterly; internal scans are optional
Why wrong: PCI DSS requires both internal and external scans at least quarterly.
- D
Continuous internal scanning eliminates the need for quarterly external scans
Why wrong: Continuous internal scanning does not replace the requirement for external quarterly scans by an ASV.
Question 568 of 1,000
SSCP Risk Identification, Monitoring, and Analysis Practice Question
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of risk identification, monitoring, and analysis. Compare every option against the stated constraints before choosing — the best answer satisfies all requirements, not just the most obvious one. 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 manager needs to comply with PCI DSS requirement 11.2, which mandates quarterly vulnerability scans. The company uses an external Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) for the quarterly scans. However, the internal team also performs continuous scanning. Which of the following best describes the required scan frequency?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
✓
Both internal and external scans must be performed quarterly
PCI DSS Requirement 11.2 explicitly requires both internal and external vulnerability scans to be performed at least quarterly. Even though the internal team performs continuous scanning, the external scans by a Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) must still occur quarterly to satisfy compliance. Continuous scanning does not replace the mandated quarterly external scans because the standard requires independent validation of external-facing systems.
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.
- ✓
Both internal and external scans must be performed quarterly
Why this is correct
PCI DSS mandates quarterly internal and external vulnerability scans.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Scans are required only after significant changes to the network
Why it's wrong here
While change-driven scans are recommended, PCI DSS still requires quarterly scans.
- ✗
Only the external scans need to be done quarterly; internal scans are optional
Why it's wrong here
PCI DSS requires both internal and external scans at least quarterly.
- ✗
Continuous internal scanning eliminates the need for quarterly external scans
Why it's wrong here
Continuous internal scanning does not replace the requirement for external quarterly scans by an ASV.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume continuous or frequent internal scanning can replace the mandated quarterly external scans, but PCI DSS explicitly requires both internal and external scans at the defined frequency, with external scans needing an independent assessor.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
PCI DSS v3.2.1 Requirement 11.2 specifies that external scans must be performed by an Approved Scanning Vendor (ASV) or a Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) to ensure independent verification. Internal scans can be performed by the organization's own staff, but both must occur at least every 90 days. Continuous scanning tools (e.g., Nessus, Qualys) can detect new vulnerabilities between quarterly scans, but they do not satisfy the compliance requirement for a formal quarterly scan by an external entity, as the standard requires a documented scan report with a passing result (no high-risk vulnerabilities) from the ASV/QSA.
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 team runs a vulnerability scan on a web application and discovers an unpatched SQL injection flaw. The team prioritises remediation by CVSS score — critical flaws are patched within 24 hours, high within 7 days. Questions like this test whether you understand vulnerability management processes, scanning tools, and remediation prioritisation.
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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Risk Identification, Monitoring, and Analysis — study guide chapter
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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: Both internal and external scans must be performed quarterly — PCI DSS Requirement 11.2 explicitly requires both internal and external vulnerability scans to be performed at least quarterly. Even though the internal team performs continuous scanning, the external scans by a Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) must still occur quarterly to satisfy compliance. Continuous scanning does not replace the mandated quarterly external scans because the standard requires independent validation of external-facing systems.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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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