- A
Place the workstation into a quarantine VLAN via switch configuration
Correct. VLAN quarantine isolates the device while allowing limited access for forensics.
- B
Apply a host-based firewall rule to block all inbound traffic
Why wrong: Host-based firewall may be bypassed by malware; VLAN isolation is more reliable.
- C
Physically unplug the network cable
Why wrong: This stops all communication but may severely impact operations and remote access.
- D
Disable the user's Active Directory account
Why wrong: Disabling the account prevents login but does not isolate the system from network traffic.
Question 550 of 1,000
SSCP Incident Response and Recovery Practice Question
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of incident response and recovery. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 incident response, a team needs to isolate an infected workstation that is part of a critical manufacturing network. Which containment method is MOST appropriate to minimize disruption while preventing the spread of malware?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"minimum / minimize"Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
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
✓
Place the workstation into a quarantine VLAN via switch configuration
Placing the workstation into a quarantine VLAN via switch configuration is most appropriate because it logically isolates the infected host from the rest of the network at Layer 2, preventing lateral spread of malware while allowing the manufacturing network to continue operating. This method uses 802.1Q VLAN tagging and access control lists (ACLs) on the switch to restrict traffic without physically disconnecting the device, which could disrupt time-sensitive manufacturing processes. It also preserves the ability to remotely manage or forensically image the workstation if needed.
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.
- ✓
Place the workstation into a quarantine VLAN via switch configuration
Why this is correct
Correct. VLAN quarantine isolates the device while allowing limited access for forensics.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Apply a host-based firewall rule to block all inbound traffic
- ✗
Physically unplug the network cable
Why it's wrong here
This stops all communication but may severely impact operations and remote access.
- ✗
Disable the user's Active Directory account
Why it's wrong here
Disabling the account prevents login but does not isolate the system from network traffic.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often choose 'physically unplug the network cable' because it seems like the most definitive containment, but they overlook the requirement to minimize disruption in a critical manufacturing network where sudden disconnection can halt production or cause safety hazards.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Quarantine VLANs leverage 802.1Q trunking and private VLANs (PVLANs) to isolate a port into a separate broadcast domain, often using a dedicated quarantine VLAN ID (e.g., VLAN 999) with an ACL that permits only outbound traffic to a management or forensic server while blocking all other inter-VLAN and intra-VLAN communication. In a manufacturing environment using PROFINET or EtherNet/IP, this method preserves the switch's STP (Spanning Tree Protocol) state and avoids link flaps that could cause network reconvergence and disrupt time-sensitive automation traffic. Real-world incident response often uses this technique in conjunction with 802.1X authentication to dynamically move the port to a remediation VLAN upon detection of a compromised endpoint.
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.
Visual reference
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: Place the workstation into a quarantine VLAN via switch configuration — Placing the workstation into a quarantine VLAN via switch configuration is most appropriate because it logically isolates the infected host from the rest of the network at Layer 2, preventing lateral spread of malware while allowing the manufacturing network to continue operating. This method uses 802.1Q VLAN tagging and access control lists (ACLs) on the switch to restrict traffic without physically disconnecting the device, which could disrupt time-sensitive manufacturing processes. It also preserves the ability to remotely manage or forensically image the workstation if needed.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
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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