- A
Patch prioritization based on CVSS score and asset criticality
Prioritization ensures critical patches are applied first.
- B
Immediate deployment of all patches without testing
Why wrong: Deploying without testing can lead to system instability.
- C
Annual review of patch status
Why wrong: Patch management requires continuous monitoring, not just annual review.
- D
Vulnerability scanning to identify missing patches
Regular scanning helps identify which patches are needed.
- E
Testing patches in a staging environment
Testing prevents deployment of patches that may cause issues.
Question 671 of 1,000
SSCP Security Operations and Administration Practice Question
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of security operations and administration. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 THREE of the following are critical elements of a patch management policy? (Select THREE)
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
✓
Patch prioritization based on CVSS score and asset criticality
Option A is correct because patch prioritization based on CVSS score and asset criticality ensures that resources are allocated to the most impactful vulnerabilities first. CVSS provides a standardized severity rating (0-10), while asset criticality accounts for the business value and exposure of the system, enabling risk-based decision-making rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
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.
- ✓
Patch prioritization based on CVSS score and asset criticality
Why this is correct
Prioritization ensures critical patches are applied first.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Immediate deployment of all patches without testing
Why it's wrong here
Deploying without testing can lead to system instability.
- ✗
Annual review of patch status
Why it's wrong here
Patch management requires continuous monitoring, not just annual review.
- ✓
Vulnerability scanning to identify missing patches
Why this is correct
Regular scanning helps identify which patches are needed.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Testing patches in a staging environment
Why this is correct
Testing prevents deployment of patches that may cause issues.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that patch management is solely about speed (immediate deployment) or infrequent reviews, when in fact it requires a balanced, risk-based process with testing, prioritization, and continuous verification.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, CVSS v3.1 computes a base score from exploitability metrics (attack vector, complexity, privileges required, user interaction) and impact metrics (confidentiality, integrity, availability). Asset criticality is often derived from a business impact analysis (BIA) or a data classification scheme. In practice, a patch management policy integrates with a vulnerability scanner (e.g., Nessus, Qualys) that outputs CVSS scores and asset tags, feeding into a risk matrix to determine patch deployment windows—for example, critical patches (CVSS ≥ 9.0) on high-value assets may be deployed within 48 hours, while low-severity patches on non-critical systems may wait for the next scheduled maintenance window.
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 team runs a vulnerability scan on a web application and discovers an unpatched SQL injection flaw. The team prioritises remediation by CVSS score — critical flaws are patched within 24 hours, high within 7 days. Questions like this test whether you understand vulnerability management processes, scanning tools, and remediation prioritisation.
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: Patch prioritization based on CVSS score and asset criticality — Option A is correct because patch prioritization based on CVSS score and asset criticality ensures that resources are allocated to the most impactful vulnerabilities first. CVSS provides a standardized severity rating (0-10), while asset criticality accounts for the business value and exposure of the system, enabling risk-based decision-making rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
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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