- A
Hard drive image, network connections, running processes, RAM
Why wrong: RAM should be first, not last.
- B
Running processes, RAM, hard drive image, network connections
Why wrong: RAM should be first.
- C
RAM, network connections, running processes, hard drive image
Correct. RAM is most volatile, then network state, then processes, then disk.
- D
Network connections, hard drive image, RAM, running processes
Why wrong: RAM is more volatile than network or disk.
Question 77 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.
During a forensic investigation, an examiner needs to preserve volatile evidence. Which of the following lists the correct order of collection for volatile data?
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
✓
RAM, network connections, running processes, hard drive image
Option C is correct because volatile data must be collected in order of decreasing volatility to prevent loss of critical evidence. RAM is the most volatile (lost on power-off), followed by network connections (state changes rapidly), then running processes (persist slightly longer), and finally the hard drive image (non-volatile). This order follows the RFC 3227 guidelines for evidence collection.
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.
- ✗
Hard drive image, network connections, running processes, RAM
Why it's wrong here
RAM should be first, not last.
- ✗
Running processes, RAM, hard drive image, network connections
Why it's wrong here
RAM should be first.
- ✓
RAM, network connections, running processes, hard drive image
Why this is correct
Correct. RAM is most volatile, then network state, then processes, then disk.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Network connections, hard drive image, RAM, running processes
Why it's wrong here
RAM is more volatile than network or disk.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the 'order of volatility' principle, and the trap here is that candidates mistakenly prioritize network connections or running processes over RAM, not realizing that RAM is the most volatile and must be captured first to preserve evidence like encryption keys or active malware payloads.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, RAM contains kernel structures, process memory, and encryption keys that vanish instantly on power loss, while network connections (e.g., netstat output) reflect ephemeral TCP/UDP states that can change with each packet. In real-world forensics, tools like dd for RAM acquisition (e.g., via LiME or FTK Imager) must be executed before any network or process enumeration to avoid overwriting critical memory regions.
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 SOC analyst notices unusual lateral movement in the network at 2 AM. The IR playbook dictates: identify and contain (isolate the affected machine), then eradicate (remove the malware), then recover (restore from backup), then document. Skipping containment before eradication risks the attacker regaining access. Questions like this test the sequence and rationale of incident response phases.
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: RAM, network connections, running processes, hard drive image — Option C is correct because volatile data must be collected in order of decreasing volatility to prevent loss of critical evidence. RAM is the most volatile (lost on power-off), followed by network connections (state changes rapidly), then running processes (persist slightly longer), and finally the hard drive image (non-volatile). This order follows the RFC 3227 guidelines for evidence collection.
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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