- A
Synthetic full backup
Why wrong: Synthetic full combines full and incrementals, but is not the definition above.
- B
Full backup
Why wrong: Full backup copies everything, not just changes.
- C
Differential backup
Correct. Differential copies changes since last full backup.
- D
Incremental backup
Why wrong: Incremental copies changes since last backup (any type).
Question 853 of 1,000
SSCP Security Operations and Administration Practice Question
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of security operations and administration. 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 backup type copies all data that has changed since the last full backup, regardless of any incremental 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
✓
Differential backup
A differential backup copies all data that has changed since the last full backup, regardless of any intermediate incremental backups. This means each differential backup grows in size as it accumulates all changes made after the last full backup, making it distinct from incremental backups which only capture changes since the last backup of any type.
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.
- ✗
Synthetic full backup
Why it's wrong here
Synthetic full combines full and incrementals, but is not the definition above.
- ✗
Full backup
Why it's wrong here
Full backup copies everything, not just changes.
- ✓
Differential backup
Why this is correct
Correct. Differential copies changes since last full backup.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Incremental backup
Why it's wrong here
Incremental copies changes since last backup (any type).
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse differential backups with incremental backups, but the key differentiator is the reference point: differential backs up all changes since the last full backup, while incremental backs up changes since the last backup of any type.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, backup software tracks the archive bit (or equivalent change tracking mechanism) to determine which files to copy. For differential backups, the software clears the archive bit only during a full backup, so subsequent differential backups copy all files with the archive bit set, which includes all changes since the last full backup. In real-world scenarios, differential backups are preferred for faster restores than incremental chains because you only need the last full backup and the latest differential backup, reducing restore time and complexity.
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 security analyst at a medium-sized enterprise encounters this scenario during an investigation or architecture review. The correct answer reflects best practice for the specific threat or control described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
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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Security Operations and Administration — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SSCP question test?
Security Operations and Administration — This question tests Security Operations and Administration — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Differential backup — A differential backup copies all data that has changed since the last full backup, regardless of any intermediate incremental backups. This means each differential backup grows in size as it accumulates all changes made after the last full backup, making it distinct from incremental backups which only capture changes since the last backup of any type.
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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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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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