Quick Answer
The answer is to create a forensic image with a write blocker and hash. This is the best practice for forensic evidence preservation because a write blocker physically or logically prevents any write commands from altering the original drive during acquisition, ensuring the data remains pristine. The cryptographic hash, typically SHA-256, then generates a unique digital fingerprint of the image, allowing you to later verify that the copy is an exact bit-for-bit duplicate, which is critical for maintaining chain of custody and legal admissibility. On the Systems Security Certified Practitioner SSCP exam, this concept tests your understanding of forensic soundness under the Incident Response domain; a common trap is choosing "copy files to a network share" or "shut down the system immediately," which can alter metadata or lose volatile data. Remember the memory tip: "Write-block to lock, hash to vouch."
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of incident response and recovery. 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.
A company's incident response plan includes a step to preserve evidence. Which action BEST ensures the integrity of forensic evidence?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Turn off the system immediately
Why wrong: Shutdown may lose volatile data; preservation requires proper acquisition.
Copy files to a network share
Why wrong: Copying files changes metadata and may miss deleted files.
Run a checksum on the live system
Why wrong: Running checksum on live system can alter evidence.
Create a forensic image with write blocker and hash
Forensic imaging with hashing ensures original data is unchanged.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Create a forensic image with write blocker and hash
Option D is correct because creating a forensic image with a write blocker ensures that the original data is not altered during acquisition, and hashing (e.g., SHA-256) provides a cryptographic integrity check that can later verify the image is an exact bit-for-bit copy. This preserves the chain of custody and admissibility of evidence in legal proceedings.
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.
Turn off the system immediately
Why it's wrong here
Shutdown may lose volatile data; preservation requires proper acquisition.
Copy files to a network share
Why it's wrong here
Copying files changes metadata and may miss deleted files.
Run a checksum on the live system
Why it's wrong here
Running checksum on live system can alter evidence.
Create a forensic image with write blocker and hash
Why this is correct
Forensic imaging with hashing ensures original data is unchanged.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates confuse 'preserving evidence' with 'preserving system availability' or 'quick data capture,' leading them to choose turning off the system or copying files, which actually destroy or alter forensic integrity.
Detailed technical explanation
A forensic write blocker operates at the hardware or software level to intercept write commands to the storage device, ensuring read-only access. The hashing algorithm (commonly SHA-256 or MD5) produces a unique digest of the entire disk image; any subsequent change to the image will result in a different hash, proving tampering. In real-world scenarios, failing to use a write blocker has led to evidence being ruled inadmissible in court due to spoliation concerns.
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
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Incident Response and Recovery — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Incident Response and Recovery — This question tests Incident Response and Recovery — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Create a forensic image with write blocker and hash — Option D is correct because creating a forensic image with a write blocker ensures that the original data is not altered during acquisition, and hashing (e.g., SHA-256) provides a cryptographic integrity check that can later verify the image is an exact bit-for-bit copy. This preserves the chain of custody and admissibility of evidence in legal proceedings.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 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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