- A
Use a write blocker, create a bit-for-bit image, and compute SHA-256 hash before and after imaging.
Correct. Write blocker prevents writes, and hash verification ensures integrity.
- B
Boot the suspect system and use imaging software to copy data.
Why wrong: Booting may alter evidence.
- C
Remove the drive and place it in anti-static bag, then ship to lab.
Why wrong: Shipping without imaging may be necessary but does not ensure integrity at source.
- D
Connect the drive directly to forensic workstation, copy all files, and compute MD5 hash of copy.
Why wrong: Direct connection may alter the drive.
Question 4 of 1,000
Forensic Imaging Procedure
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.
An incident responder needs to create a forensic image of a suspect hard drive. What is the correct procedure to ensure evidence integrity?
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
✓
Use a write blocker, create a bit-for-bit image, and compute SHA-256 hash before and after imaging.
Option A is correct because forensic imaging requires a write blocker to prevent any modification to the original evidence, a bit-for-bit (sector-level) copy to capture all data including slack space and deleted files, and cryptographic hashing (SHA-256) both before and after imaging to verify that the image is an exact, unaltered duplicate of the source. This process ensures the integrity and admissibility of digital 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
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Use a write blocker, create a bit-for-bit image, and compute SHA-256 hash before and after imaging.
Why this is correct
Correct. Write blocker prevents writes, and hash verification ensures integrity.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Boot the suspect system and use imaging software to copy data.
Why it's wrong here
Booting may alter evidence.
- ✗
Remove the drive and place it in anti-static bag, then ship to lab.
Why it's wrong here
Shipping without imaging may be necessary but does not ensure integrity at source.
- ✗
Connect the drive directly to forensic workstation, copy all files, and compute MD5 hash of copy.
Why it's wrong here
Direct connection may alter the drive.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may think booting the system or simply copying files is sufficient, but the SSCP exam emphasizes that any write activity to the original evidence breaks the chain of custody and invalidates the forensic integrity.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
A write blocker operates at the hardware or software level to intercept and block write commands (e.g., ATA SECURITY FREEZE LOCK or SCSI WRITE commands) while allowing read commands to pass through. Bit-for-bit imaging (e.g., using `dd` or FTK Imager) captures every sector, including unallocated space and file system metadata, which is critical for recovering deleted artifacts. SHA-256 hashing provides a 256-bit digest that is computationally infeasible to reverse or collide, ensuring the image's hash matches the original drive's hash even if a single bit differs.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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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: Use a write blocker, create a bit-for-bit image, and compute SHA-256 hash before and after imaging. — Option A is correct because forensic imaging requires a write blocker to prevent any modification to the original evidence, a bit-for-bit (sector-level) copy to capture all data including slack space and deleted files, and cryptographic hashing (SHA-256) both before and after imaging to verify that the image is an exact, unaltered duplicate of the source. This process ensures the integrity and admissibility of digital evidence in legal proceedings.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
2 more ways 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 a forensic investigation, an examiner creates a bit-for-bit copy of a hard drive using a write blocker. What is the purpose of using a write blocker?
medium- ✓ A.To prevent modification of the original evidence
- B.To encrypt the data during transfer
- C.To speed up the imaging process
- D.To verify the hash of the original drive
Why A: A write blocker is a hardware or software device that intercepts and blocks any write commands from the forensic workstation to the source drive, ensuring that the original evidence remains unaltered during acquisition. This is critical for maintaining the integrity and admissibility of digital evidence in legal proceedings, as any modification could compromise the chain of custody and forensic soundness.
Variation 2. An incident responder needs to create a forensic image of a suspect hard drive. Which of the following steps is ESSENTIAL to ensure the integrity of the evidence?
medium- A.Run an antivirus scan on the drive before imaging
- ✓ B.Use a write blocker to prevent modification of the original drive
- C.Boot the suspect system to verify it is functional
- D.Perform the imaging over the network to save time
Why B: Using a write blocker is essential because it ensures that no data can be written to the suspect hard drive during the imaging process, preserving the original evidence in a forensically sound state. Without a write blocker, any operating system or imaging tool could inadvertently modify metadata (e.g., access timestamps) or the file system, which would compromise the integrity and admissibility of the evidence in legal proceedings.
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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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