Quick Answer
The answer is Recovery Time Objective (RTO) and Recovery Point Objective (RPO). These two metrics are essential components of a disaster recovery plan because they directly define the plan’s core performance targets: RTO specifies the maximum acceptable downtime after a disaster, while RPO specifies the maximum acceptable data loss measured in time. On the Systems Security Certified Practitioner SSCP exam, this concept tests your understanding of how a DRP differs from broader business continuity planning—a common trap is confusing RTO/RPO with a RACI matrix or penetration testing, which are unrelated to recovery metrics. A helpful memory tip is to think of RTO as “time to restore” and RPO as “point of recovery,” ensuring you remember that RTO focuses on uptime and RPO focuses on data freshness.
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of security operations and administration. 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.
Which TWO of the following are essential components of a disaster recovery plan (DRP)?
Recovery Time Objective (RTO)
RTO is a key metric in DRP.
Recovery Point Objective (RPO)
RPO is a key metric in DRP.
Business Continuity Plan (BCP)
Why wrong: BCP is separate from DRP, though related.
A RACI matrix for incident response
Why wrong: Not a mandatory part of a DRP.
Results of a penetration test
Why wrong: Penetration tests are not part of the DRP itself.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Recovery Time Objective (RTO)
Options A and D are correct. Recovery Time Objective (RTO) defines the maximum acceptable downtime, and Recovery Point Objective (RPO) defines the maximum acceptable data loss. Option B is wrong while a business continuity plan (BCP) is related, it is broader and not specific to DRP. Option C is wrong the RACI matrix is for responsibility assignment, not a core DRP component. Option E is wrong a penetration test is a security assessment, not a DRP component.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Recovery Time Objective (RTO)
Why this is correct
RTO is a key metric in DRP.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Recovery Point Objective (RPO)
Why this is correct
RPO is a key metric in DRP.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Business Continuity Plan (BCP)
Why it's wrong here
BCP is separate from DRP, though related.
A RACI matrix for incident response
Why it's wrong here
Not a mandatory part of a DRP.
Results of a penetration test
Why it's wrong here
Penetration tests are not part of the DRP itself.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
Identify which SSCP exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Security Operations and Administration — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Security Operations and Administration — This question tests Security Operations and Administration — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Recovery Time Objective (RTO) — Options A and D are correct. Recovery Time Objective (RTO) defines the maximum acceptable downtime, and Recovery Point Objective (RPO) defines the maximum acceptable data loss. Option B is wrong while a business continuity plan (BCP) is related, it is broader and not specific to DRP. Option C is wrong the RACI matrix is for responsibility assignment, not a core DRP component. Option E is wrong a penetration test is a security assessment, not a DRP component.
Identify which SSCP exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 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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