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SSCP Practice Question: During a vulnerability scan, a critical…
During a vulnerability scan, a critical vulnerability is found on a publicly accessible web server. The server hosts a legacy application that cannot be patched immediately. What should the risk manager do first?
⚠ Common exam trap
ISC2 often tests the misconception that immediate removal from the network is always the correct first step, but the SSCP exam emphasizes balancing security with business continuity, making compensating controls the preferred initial action.
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
✓
Implement compensating controls.
When a critical vulnerability cannot be patched immediately, implementing compensating controls is the appropriate first step to reduce risk while maintaining business operations. Compensating controls, such as a web application firewall (WAF) with custom rules to block exploit attempts or network segmentation with strict access control lists (ACLs), provide a temporary mitigation layer. This aligns with the risk management principle of reducing risk to an acceptable level without disrupting critical services.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Implement compensating controls.
Why this is correct
Compensating controls mitigate the vulnerability without patching, buying time for a permanent fix.
- ✗
Remove the server from the network.
Why it's wrong here
Removing the server is a last resort and would disrupt services; not the first action.
- ✗
Notify the application owner.
Why it's wrong here
Notification is important but the risk manager should first decide on risk treatment; notification can be part of the process.
- ✗
Accept the risk.
Why it's wrong here
Risk acceptance should only occur after all mitigation options are exhausted or the impact is deemed acceptable.
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This SSCP question is part of Courseiva's 920-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.