- A
License type and number of licenses
License tracking ensures compliance with vendor agreements.
- B
Physical location of the installed software
Why wrong: Software location is not static; it's tied to devices, not physical location.
- C
Version and patch level
Version tracking is critical for patch management and vulnerability assessment.
- D
Serial number of the installation media
Why wrong: Installation media serial numbers are not typically tracked; product keys may be, but serial numbers refer to hardware.
- E
Name of the user who installed it
Why wrong: User names are not typically needed for inventory; ownership may be tracked but not installer.
Question 388 of 1,000
SSCP Security Operations and Administration Practice Question
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of security operations and administration. 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 organization is implementing a software inventory management process. Which TWO of the following should be tracked for each software asset?
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
✓
License type and number of licenses
License type and number of licenses are critical for ensuring compliance with software licensing agreements and avoiding legal or financial penalties. Tracking these allows the organization to verify that the number of installed copies does not exceed the purchased licenses, which is a core requirement of software asset management (SAM).
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.
- ✓
License type and number of licenses
Why this is correct
License tracking ensures compliance with vendor agreements.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Physical location of the installed software
Why it's wrong here
Software location is not static; it's tied to devices, not physical location.
- ✓
Version and patch level
Why this is correct
Version tracking is critical for patch management and vulnerability assessment.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Serial number of the installation media
Why it's wrong here
Installation media serial numbers are not typically tracked; product keys may be, but serial numbers refer to hardware.
- ✗
Name of the user who installed it
Why it's wrong here
User names are not typically needed for inventory; ownership may be tracked but not installer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between physical asset tracking (e.g., hardware serial numbers) and logical software inventory attributes, leading candidates to mistakenly select the serial number of installation media as a tracked item.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Software inventory management typically relies on a centralized database (e.g., using SCCM, GLPI, or a CMDB) that records software title, version, patch level, and license count. Version and patch level are essential for vulnerability management, as they determine which security patches apply (e.g., CVSS scoring for a specific version). License type (e.g., per-user, per-device, or volume license) dictates how the number of licenses is calculated and audited against actual installations.
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?
Security Operations and Administration — This question tests Security Operations and Administration — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: License type and number of licenses — License type and number of licenses are critical for ensuring compliance with software licensing agreements and avoiding legal or financial penalties. Tracking these allows the organization to verify that the number of installed copies does not exceed the purchased licenses, which is a core requirement of software asset management (SAM).
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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