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SSCP Practice Question: A small business wants to protect its data from…
A small business wants to protect its data from ransomware. Which backup strategy provides the BEST protection against an attack where the backup files are also encrypted?
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
✓
Weekly backups to tape stored in a fireproof safe offline
An offline (air-gapped) backup is not accessible from the network, preventing ransomware from encrypting it. Option A is wrong because a NAS device is network-attached, so ransomware can encrypt it if the network is compromised. Option B is wrong because cloud backups are also accessible from the network and can be encrypted by ransomware if credentials are compromised. Option C is wrong because an external hard drive connected via USB, when attached to the system, is accessible to ransomware and can be encrypted.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Daily backups to a network attached storage (NAS) device
Why it's wrong here
NAS devices are typically accessible over the network.
- ✗
Daily cloud backups with versioning
Why it's wrong here
Cloud backups are still accessible from the network and could be encrypted.
- ✗
Weekly backups to an external hard drive connected via USB
Why it's wrong here
If the drive is connected during the attack, it may be encrypted.
- ✓
Weekly backups to tape stored in a fireproof safe offline
Why this is correct
Offline tapes are physically disconnected and cannot be encrypted by ransomware.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.