The answer is isolating affected systems from the network and restoring systems from clean backups. These two steps directly map to the containment, eradication, and recovery phase of incident response: isolation stops the spread of an attack (containment), while restoration from verified backups removes the threat and returns operations to normal (recovery). On the Systems Security Certified Practitioner SSCP exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish phase-specific actions from the broader NIST or SANS incident response framework. A common trap is confusing post-incident activities like lessons learned with recovery steps, or mistaking initial identification tasks for containment. To remember, think of the phase as a three-part action: stop the bleed (containment), remove the root cause (eradication), and rebuild safely (recovery). A useful memory tip is the acronym ICE—Isolate, Clean, Establish—which reinforces that isolation and restoration are the core exam-tested steps within this phase.
SSCP Security Operations and Administration Practice Question
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.
A security operations team is developing an incident response plan. Which TWO steps are part of the 'containment, eradication, and recovery' phase? (Choose two.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Restoring systems from known good backups
Options A and B are correct because isolation is containment and restoration is recovery. Option C is post-incident. Option D is part of identification/analysis. Option E is part of preparation and identification.
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.
✗
Conducting a lessons learned meeting
Why it's wrong here
This is part of the post-incident activity phase.
✓
Restoring systems from known good backups
Why this is correct
This is part of recovery after eradication.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Identifying the root cause of the incident
Why it's wrong here
Root cause identification is part of analysis.
✗
Preserving forensic evidence
Why it's wrong here
Evidence preservation occurs during identification and containment.
✓
Isolating affected systems from the network
Why this is correct
This contains the incident to prevent spread.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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
How to think about this question
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.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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.
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 — This question tests Security Operations and Administration — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Restoring systems from known good backups — Options A and B are correct because isolation is containment and restoration is recovery. Option C is post-incident. Option D is part of identification/analysis. Option E is part of preparation and identification.
What should I do if I get this SSCP question wrong?
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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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.
Question Discussion
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