Quick Answer
The answer is Detection and Analysis, along with Preparation and Containment, Eradication, and Recovery, as the standard phases of the incident response lifecycle. This is correct because the NIST SP 800-61 Rev. 2 framework defines the lifecycle as four core phases: Preparation; Detection and Analysis; Containment, Eradication, and Recovery; and Post-Incident Activity. Detection and Analysis is the phase where security events are identified, validated, and prioritized based on indicators of compromise, making it the critical bridge between readiness and active response. On the Systems Security Certified Practitioner SSCP exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish the NIST-defined phases from common distractors like “Reporting” or “Escalation,” which are activities within a phase rather than a phase itself. A frequent trap is confusing “Post-Incident Activity” with “Lessons Learned,” but the official phase name is the former. Memory tip: think “P-D-C-P” — Prepare, Detect, Contain, Post — to recall the four standard phases in order.
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of incident response and recovery. 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 THREE of the following are standard phases of the incident response lifecycle?
Preparation
Preparation is the first phase, involving planning and training.
Containment, Eradication, and Recovery
This combined phase addresses stopping the incident and restoring operations.
Auditing
Why wrong: Auditing is a separate governance activity, not a response phase.
Budgeting
Why wrong: Budgeting is not a phase of incident response.
Detection and Analysis
Detection and analysis is the phase where incidents are identified.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Preparation
Option A is correct because Preparation is the foundational phase of the incident response lifecycle, as defined by NIST SP 800-61 Rev. 2. This phase involves establishing policies, creating incident response plans, forming a CSIRT, and provisioning tools (e.g., SIEM, forensic workstations) before any incident occurs. Without proper preparation, all subsequent phases are significantly less effective.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Preparation
Why this is correct
Preparation is the first phase, involving planning and training.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Containment, Eradication, and Recovery
Why this is correct
This combined phase addresses stopping the incident and restoring operations.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Auditing
Why it's wrong here
Auditing is a separate governance activity, not a response phase.
Budgeting
Why it's wrong here
Budgeting is not a phase of incident response.
Detection and Analysis
Why this is correct
Detection and analysis is the phase where incidents are identified.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
ISC2 often tests candidates by including plausible-sounding business or audit terms (like Auditing or Budgeting) as distractors, expecting test-takers to confuse supporting activities with formal lifecycle phases defined in NIST or SANS frameworks.
Detailed technical explanation
The incident response lifecycle typically follows the NIST SP 800-61 model: Preparation, Detection & Analysis, Containment/Eradication/Recovery, and Post-Incident Activity. The SANS PICERL model expands this into six phases: Preparation, Identification, Containment, Eradication, Recovery, and Lessons Learned. In both frameworks, Detection and Analysis is the phase where indicators of compromise (IoCs) are correlated from logs, network flows, and endpoint alerts to confirm an incident, often using tools like Sysmon, Wireshark, or SIEM correlation rules.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A SOC analyst notices unusual lateral movement in the network at 2 AM. The IR playbook dictates: identify and contain (isolate the affected machine), then eradicate (remove the malware), then recover (restore from backup), then document. Skipping containment before eradication risks the attacker regaining access. Questions like this test the sequence and rationale of incident response phases.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Incident Response and Recovery — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Incident Response and Recovery practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All SSCP questions
504 questions across all exam domains
Systems Security Certified Practitioner SSCP study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
SSCP practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise SSCP questions linked to Risk Identification, Monitoring and Analysis.
Practise SSCP questions linked to Network and Communications Security.
Practise SSCP questions linked to Systems and Application Security.
Practise SSCP questions linked to Security Operations and Administration.
Practise SSCP questions linked to Incident Response and Recovery.
Practise SSCP questions linked to Access Controls.
Practise SSCP questions linked to Cryptography.
Practise SSCP questions linked to SSCP fundamentals.
Practise SSCP questions linked to SSCP scenario.
Practise SSCP questions linked to SSCP troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Incident Response and Recovery — This question tests Incident Response and Recovery — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Preparation — Option A is correct because Preparation is the foundational phase of the incident response lifecycle, as defined by NIST SP 800-61 Rev. 2. This phase involves establishing policies, creating incident response plans, forming a CSIRT, and provisioning tools (e.g., SIEM, forensic workstations) before any incident occurs. Without proper preparation, all subsequent phases are significantly less effective.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jun 30, 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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.