SSCP Security Operations and Administration Practice Question
An organization is enhancing its backup strategy. According to the 3-2-1 rule, which THREE characteristics must the backup strategy include? (Select THREE)
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse the 3-2-1 rule with other backup best practices like encryption or frequency. The rule strictly requires: three copies, two different media types, and one offsite copy. Security professionals may mistakenly think daily full backups or encryption are part of the rule, but they are not.
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
✓
At least two different media types
The 3-2-1 rule requires at least two different media types (e.g., tape and disk, or disk and cloud) to mitigate the risk of a single media failure or vulnerability. This ensures that if one media type becomes corrupted or obsolete, the other remains viable for recovery.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
At least two different media types
Why this is correct
e.g., disk and tape.
- ✗
Daily full backups
Why it's wrong here
Not required by the rule.
- ✓
At least one copy stored offsite
Why this is correct
Protects against site disasters.
- ✓
At least three copies of the data
Why this is correct
One primary plus two backups.
- ✗
Encryption of all backups
Why it's wrong here
Best practice but not part of the 3-2-1 rule.
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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.