- A
List of running processes
Processes show malicious activity.
- B
Full disk image
Why wrong: Disk image is important but not the most volatile; order of volatility dictates memory first.
- C
Network packet captures
Why wrong: Network captures are not always available and less volatile than memory.
- D
Contents of RAM (memory dump)
Memory contains running processes and encryption keys.
- E
System log files
Logs provide timeline and evidence of compromise.
Question 23 of 1,000
hardMultiple SelectObjective-mapped
SSCP Practice Question: Which THREE types of evidence are MOST important…
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of sscp exam topics. 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 THREE types of evidence are MOST important to collect from a compromised Linux server during forensic acquisition?
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
✓
List of running processes
A is correct because capturing a list of running processes from a compromised Linux server preserves volatile evidence of active malicious processes, such as reverse shells or cryptominers, that would be lost on shutdown. This aligns with the order of volatility (RFC 3227), which prioritizes capturing volatile data like process lists before acquiring less volatile evidence like disk images.
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.
- ✓
List of running processes
Why this is correct
Processes show malicious activity.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Full disk image
Why it's wrong here
Disk image is important but not the most volatile; order of volatility dictates memory first.
- ✗
Network packet captures
Why it's wrong here
Network captures are not always available and less volatile than memory.
- ✓
Contents of RAM (memory dump)
Why this is correct
Memory contains running processes and encryption keys.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
System log files
Why this is correct
Logs provide timeline and evidence of compromise.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often prioritize a full disk image (Option B) as the most critical evidence, overlooking that volatile data (processes, memory, logs) must be collected first to preserve evidence that disappears on shutdown, as per the order of volatility.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The order of volatility (RFC 3227) dictates that evidence like running processes (via 'ps aux' or 'top'), memory contents (via 'dd' or 'LiME'), and system logs (in /var/log/) must be collected first because they are lost on power-off or reboot. In real-world scenarios, attackers often hide processes using rootkits that modify 'ps' output, making memory analysis (e.g., with Volatility) critical to detect hidden processes via kernel structures like the task list.
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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SSCP question test?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: List of running processes — A is correct because capturing a list of running processes from a compromised Linux server preserves volatile evidence of active malicious processes, such as reverse shells or cryptominers, that would be lost on shutdown. This aligns with the order of volatility (RFC 3227), which prioritizes capturing volatile data like process lists before acquiring less volatile evidence like disk images.
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
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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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