hardMultiple SelectObjective-mapped
Forensic Evidence Preservation
During forensic analysis, which THREE pieces of evidence should be preserved in original form?
Quick Answer
The answer is network traffic captures, such as PCAP files, which must be preserved in their original form. This is because PCAPs are bit-for-bit recordings of network packets that maintain critical metadata like exact timing, headers, and payloads without any transformation; converting them to formats like CSV strips this metadata and alters the evidence, breaking the chain of custody. On the Systems Security Certified Practitioner SSCP exam, this concept tests your understanding of forensic soundness and the importance of preserving evidence integrity during incident response. A common trap is assuming exported logs or summaries are acceptable substitutes, but the exam emphasizes that only raw, unaltered captures qualify as original evidence. Remember the memory tip: “PCAPs preserve packets perfectly—never export or convert.”
⚠ Common exam trap
ISC2 often tests the distinction between original/volatile evidence and derivative/converted evidence, trapping candidates who think exported logs or screenshots are acceptable substitutes for the raw, unaltered source.
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
✓
Network traffic capture
Network traffic captures (e.g., PCAP files) are raw, bit-for-bit recordings of network packets. They preserve the original timing, headers, and payloads without any transformation, which is critical for accurate forensic reconstruction and chain of custody. Any conversion or export (like CSV) would strip metadata and alter the original evidence.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Network traffic capture
Why this is correct
PCAP files preserve network evidence.
- ✗
Screenshots of malware dialogs
Why it's wrong here
Screenshots are not original binary evidence and can be tampered.
- ✗
System event logs exported to CSV
Why it's wrong here
Exporting to CSV converts the original binary format, altering the evidence.
- ✓
RAM dump
Why this is correct
Memory dump captures volatile evidence.
- ✓
Hard drive image
Why this is correct
A forensic image preserves the exact state of the drive.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every SSCP question from scratch — 920 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on SSCP
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. During incident analysis, a forensic examiner finds that the system logs were cleared using a command that writes null bytes. Which artifact is most likely preserved?
hard- A.Event logs from other systems
- B.Prefetch files
- C.Registry keys
- ✓ D.Volume shadow copies
Why D: Volume shadow copies (VSS) are snapshots of the file system at a point in time, stored separately from the active logs. Even if an attacker clears logs by writing null bytes (e.g., using `fsutil` or `wevtutil cl`), VSS may retain a previous version of the logs, making them a critical artifact for forensic recovery.
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.