- A
Run an antivirus scan on the drive before imaging
Why wrong: Running scans modifies the drive; imaging should be done first.
- B
Use a write blocker to prevent modification of the original drive
A write blocker ensures read-only access, preserving the integrity of the original evidence.
- C
Boot the suspect system to verify it is functional
Why wrong: Booting the system alters evidence (e.g., writes logs, changes timestamps). This should be avoided.
- D
Perform the imaging over the network to save time
Why wrong: Network imaging may introduce errors and is not recommended for forensics; a direct connection is preferred.
Question 931 of 1,000
SSCP Incident Response and Recovery Practice Question
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of incident response and recovery. 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.
An incident responder needs to create a forensic image of a suspect hard drive. Which of the following steps is ESSENTIAL to ensure the integrity of the evidence?
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
✓
Use a write blocker to prevent modification of the original drive
Using a write blocker is essential because it ensures that no data can be written to the suspect hard drive during the imaging process, preserving the original evidence in a forensically sound state. Without a write blocker, any operating system or imaging tool could inadvertently modify metadata (e.g., access timestamps) or the file system, which would compromise the integrity and admissibility of the evidence in legal proceedings.
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.
- ✗
Run an antivirus scan on the drive before imaging
Why it's wrong here
Running scans modifies the drive; imaging should be done first.
- ✓
Use a write blocker to prevent modification of the original drive
Why this is correct
A write blocker ensures read-only access, preserving the integrity of the original evidence.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Boot the suspect system to verify it is functional
Why it's wrong here
Booting the system alters evidence (e.g., writes logs, changes timestamps). This should be avoided.
- ✗
Perform the imaging over the network to save time
Why it's wrong here
Network imaging may introduce errors and is not recommended for forensics; a direct connection is preferred.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that booting the system or running software-based checks is acceptable, but the trap here is that any interaction with the original drive that could alter its state—even a read-only mount without a write blocker—can change metadata and break the chain of custody.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Write blockers operate at the hardware or software level by intercepting ATA/SCSI commands and blocking any write commands (e.g., WRITE DMA, WRITE SECTOR(S)) while allowing read commands to pass through. In a real-world scenario, a forensic examiner might use a Tableau write blocker connected via SATA or USB, which ensures that even if the imaging tool (e.g., FTK Imager or dd) attempts to write, the command is rejected at the bus level. This is critical because modern operating systems may automatically mount and write to a drive (e.g., updating the NTFS $LogFile or $UsnJrnl) without user intervention.
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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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SSCP question test?
Incident Response and Recovery — This question tests Incident Response and Recovery — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use a write blocker to prevent modification of the original drive — Using a write blocker is essential because it ensures that no data can be written to the suspect hard drive during the imaging process, preserving the original evidence in a forensically sound state. Without a write blocker, any operating system or imaging tool could inadvertently modify metadata (e.g., access timestamps) or the file system, which would compromise the integrity and admissibility of the evidence in legal proceedings.
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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