SSCP Security Operations and Administration Practice Question
Which backup type copies all data that has changed since the last full backup, regardless of subsequent backups?
⚠ Common exam trap
ISC2 often tests the distinction that differential backups grow over time because they accumulate all changes since the last full backup, while incremental backups are smaller but require a chain of backups for restoration.
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
✓
Differential backup
A differential backup copies all data that has changed since the last full backup, regardless of any intermediate backups. This means each differential backup grows in size as it accumulates all changes made since the last full backup, making it distinct from incremental backups which only capture changes since the last backup of any type.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Incremental backup
Why it's wrong here
An incremental backup copies only data changed since the most recent backup of any kind, so after a later incremental it captures a smaller subset, not everything since the last full. It is tempting because incrementals minimise backup window and storage, which suits frequent backups where restore speed is secondary.
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Snapshot backup
Why it's wrong here
A snapshot captures the point-in-time state of a volume, not the accumulated changes since the last full backup, so it cannot produce the cumulative delta the question describes. It is tempting because snapshots are used for fast rollback and cloning, where capturing current volume state matters rather than tracking changed blocks across backup cycles.
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Differential backup
Why this is correct
A differential backup captures every block changed since the last full backup, so successive differentials each grow larger until the next full backup resets the baseline. This matches the stem's requirement of copying changes since the last full backup regardless of subsequent backups.
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Full backup
Why it's wrong here
A full backup copies every selected file irrespective of change time, so it cannot represent only data changed since the last full backup. It is tempting because full backups underpin every backup chain and are the correct choice when a complete, self-contained restore point is required without depending on other backup sets.
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JA
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.