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SSCP Practice Question: Which backup strategy is MOST suitable for a…
Which backup strategy is MOST suitable for a server with an RTO of 4 hours and an RPO of 15 minutes?
⚠ Common exam trap
ISC2 often tests the distinction between RPO and RTO by making candidates think that more frequent full backups are needed for a low RPO, when in fact transaction log or differential backups can achieve the same with less overhead, and the trap here is assuming that incremental or differential backups alone can meet a 15-minute RPO without log backups.
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
✓
Full backup daily, transaction log backup every 15 minutes
A full backup daily combined with transaction log backups every 15 minutes meets the RPO of 15 minutes by allowing point-in-time recovery to within that window, and the full backup ensures the RTO of 4 hours is achievable because restoring the full backup plus the transaction logs is a well-understood process that can complete within the time limit. Transaction log backups capture every committed change, enabling granular recovery without requiring a full backup more frequently.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Full backup daily, transaction log backup every 15 minutes
Why this is correct
Transaction log backups every 15 minutes meet RPO; full daily allows recovery within RTO.
- ✗
Full backup daily
Why it's wrong here
Full daily backup provides RPO up to 24 hours, exceeding 15 minutes.
- ✗
Full backup monthly, incremental daily
Why it's wrong here
Incremental daily may take long to restore, likely exceeding RTO.
- ✗
Full backup weekly, differential daily
Why it's wrong here
Differential daily gives RPO of 24 hours, too high.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.