mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
SSCP Practice Question: After a ransomware attack, the recovery team must…
After a ransomware attack, the recovery team must restore encrypted files from backups. The backups are stored on a separate network segment and were last verified three days ago. What should the team do FIRST?
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
✓
Verify the integrity and cleanliness of the backup.
Before restoring, ensure the backup system is not compromised. Option B is correct. Option A may restore malware; Option C is premature; Option D is not a first step.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Disconnect the infected systems from the network.
Why it's wrong here
Containment should have already occurred; restoration requires validation first.
- ✓
Verify the integrity and cleanliness of the backup.
Why this is correct
Ensuring backup is clean prevents re-infection.
- ✗
Contact law enforcement.
Why it's wrong here
Law enforcement is important but not the immediate technical step.
- ✗
Restore all files from the most recent backup.
Why it's wrong here
If backup is compromised, restoring could reintroduce the ransomware.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
This SSCP question is part of Courseiva's 920-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.