SSCP Incident Response and Recovery Practice Question
During the containment phase of incident response, a security analyst identifies malware on a critical server. Which TWO actions should be taken FIRST to contain the threat and preserve evidence? (Choose two.)
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
✓
Disconnect the network cable from the server.
The immediate priority is to isolate the affected server from the network to prevent lateral movement and to capture volatile evidence (RAM) before it is lost. Disconnecting the network cable stops network-level spread, and capturing RAM preserves critical volatile data for forensic analysis.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Capture a forensic image of the hard drive.
Why it's wrong here
While important, disk imaging should follow volatile evidence collection. Containment actions take precedence.
- ✗
Reboot the server to clear the malware from memory.
Why it's wrong here
Rebooting destroys volatile evidence (RAM) and may allow malware to persist or evade detection.
- ✓
Disconnect the network cable from the server.
Why this is correct
This prevents the malware from communicating with command-and-control servers and spreading to other systems.
- ✗
Run a full antivirus scan on the server.
Why it's wrong here
Scanning may alter evidence and is not a containment measure.
- ✓
Capture the contents of RAM using a tool like WinPmem.
Why this is correct
Volatile evidence must be collected before powering off or disconnecting; RAM contains running processes and network connections.
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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.