The answer is that the backups were also encrypted. This is the most probable cause because if the ransomware had sufficient privileges to access the backup repository or if backups were stored on a mounted volume, the encryption process would have corrupted the backup files themselves. When the recovery team restores from these compromised backups, they simply copy the encrypted data back into place, leaving files in an unreadable state despite a technically successful restoration. On the Systems Security Certified Practitioner SSCP exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the 3-2-1 backup rule and the critical need for immutable or offline backups, as a common trap is assuming the restoration process failed rather than recognizing the backup integrity was lost. Remember the memory tip: if files are still encrypted after recovery, the backup was part of the blast radius.
SSCP Incident Response and Recovery Practice Question
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.
After a ransomware attack, the recovery team restored systems from backups. However, some files remain encrypted. What is the most probable cause?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Backups were also encrypted
If backups were also encrypted, the recovery team would restore encrypted copies of the files, leaving them in an encrypted state after restoration. This occurs when the ransomware has sufficient privileges to encrypt the backup repository or when backups are stored on a mounted volume that the ransomware can access. The most probable cause is that the backup data itself was compromised, not that the restoration process failed.
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.
✓
Backups were also encrypted
Why this is correct
If the ransomware encrypted files on the backup repository before restoration, restored files would remain encrypted.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The backup software was compromised
Why it's wrong here
While serious, this would not directly cause restored files to be encrypted unless the backups themselves were compromised.
✗
The ransomware had a delayed encryption mechanism
Why it's wrong here
Delayed encryption would affect files after restoration, but the files would be newly encrypted, not remaining encrypted from before.
✗
Restoration process skipped some file types
Why it's wrong here
Restoration typically includes all file types unless excluded; unlikely to cause remaining encryption.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests the misconception that restoration process errors (like skipping file types) are the primary cause, when in reality the integrity of the backup source is the critical factor in ransomware recovery scenarios.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Ransomware often targets shadow copies, backup volumes, and network-attached storage (NAS) shares by escalating privileges via tools like PsExec or WMI. If backups are stored on a live file system or a mapped drive without immutable or air-gapped protection, the ransomware can encrypt the backup files themselves, making restoration futile. In real-world attacks like Ryuk or LockBit, attackers specifically delete or encrypt Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) snapshots to prevent recovery.
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 developer is choosing between AES-256 (symmetric) and RSA-2048 (asymmetric) for encrypting a large file that will be sent to a partner. Symmetric encryption is fast but requires key exchange; asymmetric is slower but solves the key distribution problem. A hybrid approach — encrypt the file with AES, encrypt the AES key with RSA — is standard. Questions like this test whether you understand when each approach applies.
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.
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: Backups were also encrypted — If backups were also encrypted, the recovery team would restore encrypted copies of the files, leaving them in an encrypted state after restoration. This occurs when the ransomware has sufficient privileges to encrypt the backup repository or when backups are stored on a mounted volume that the ransomware can access. The most probable cause is that the backup data itself was compromised, not that the restoration process failed.
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.
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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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