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.
- ✗
Incremental backup
Why it's wrong here
Copies changes since the last backup of any type.
- ✗
Snapshot backup
Why it's wrong here
A point-in-time copy, not a traditional backup type.
- ✓
Differential backup
Why this is correct
Copies changes since the last full backup.
- ✗
Full backup
Why it's wrong here
Copies all data.
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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.