- A
Notify users that the system will be available in one hour
Why wrong: Communication is important, but technical steps take priority.
- B
Disconnect the backup server from the network
Why wrong: This may be done earlier, but the key step before restore is verification and patching.
- C
Immediately restore the most recent backup to minimize data loss
Why wrong: Restoring without verification could reintroduce malware or leave vulnerabilities unpatched.
- D
Verify the integrity of the backup and patch the exploited vulnerability
This ensures the backup is clean and the system is hardened before restoration.
Question 544 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 organization is restoring a critical database from a backup after a ransomware attack. Which of the following steps should be performed BEFORE restoring the data to ensure the restoration is successful and secure?
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 of the backup and patch the exploited vulnerability
Option D is correct because verifying backup integrity (e.g., using checksums or restore tests) ensures the backup is not corrupted or incomplete, which is critical after a ransomware attack where backups may also be targeted. Patching the exploited vulnerability (e.g., applying a security update or disabling the vulnerable service) prevents re-infection during or after the restore, ensuring the recovery is secure. Without these steps, restoring a compromised or incomplete backup could lead to data loss or immediate re-encryption by the same ransomware.
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.
- ✗
Notify users that the system will be available in one hour
Why it's wrong here
Communication is important, but technical steps take priority.
- ✗
Disconnect the backup server from the network
Why it's wrong here
This may be done earlier, but the key step before restore is verification and patching.
- ✗
Immediately restore the most recent backup to minimize data loss
Why it's wrong here
Restoring without verification could reintroduce malware or leave vulnerabilities unpatched.
- ✓
Verify the integrity of the backup and patch the exploited vulnerability
Why this is correct
This ensures the backup is clean and the system is hardened before restoration.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume restoring the most recent backup is always the priority, but the SSCP exam emphasizes that verifying backup integrity and securing the environment against re-infection are mandatory prerequisites for a successful and secure recovery.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Backup integrity verification often involves comparing cryptographic hashes (e.g., SHA-256) of the backup files against known good values or performing a test restore in an isolated sandbox environment to validate data consistency. Patching the exploited vulnerability requires identifying the initial access vector (e.g., an unpatched SMB vulnerability like EternalBlue or a phishing-delivered payload) and applying the relevant fix, such as a Windows security update or disabling unnecessary services. In real-world ransomware incidents like NotPetya, failure to patch the exploited vulnerability before restoration led to repeated infections across entire networks.
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 developer is choosing between AES-256 (symmetric) and RSA-2048 (asymmetric) for encrypting a large file that will be sent to a partner. Symmetric encryption is fast but requires key exchange; asymmetric is slower but solves the key distribution problem. A hybrid approach — encrypt the file with AES, encrypt the AES key with RSA — is standard. Questions like this test whether you understand when each approach applies.
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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Incident Response and Recovery — study guide chapter
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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: Verify the integrity of the backup and patch the exploited vulnerability — Option D is correct because verifying backup integrity (e.g., using checksums or restore tests) ensures the backup is not corrupted or incomplete, which is critical after a ransomware attack where backups may also be targeted. Patching the exploited vulnerability (e.g., applying a security update or disabling the vulnerable service) prevents re-infection during or after the restore, ensuring the recovery is secure. Without these steps, restoring a compromised or incomplete backup could lead to data loss or immediate re-encryption by the same ransomware.
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
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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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