- A
Password hashes
Why wrong: Password hashes are stored in authentication systems, not CMDB.
- B
Change request approvals
Why wrong: Change approvals are part of change management, not CMDB.
- C
Relationships between configuration items
CMDB tracks dependencies and relationships between CIs.
- D
Incident tickets
Why wrong: Incident tickets are part of incident management, not CMDB.
- E
Hardware inventory details such as serial numbers
CMDB includes hardware CIs with attributes like serial number.
Question 356 of 1,000
SSCP Security Operations and Administration Practice Question
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of security operations and administration. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 TWO of the following are key components of a configuration management database (CMDB)? (Select TWO)
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
✓
Relationships between configuration items
A CMDB is a repository that stores information about configuration items (CIs) and their relationships. Option C is correct because relationships between CIs are fundamental to understanding how changes affect the IT infrastructure. Option E is correct because hardware inventory details like serial numbers are typical attributes stored for each CI, enabling asset tracking and impact analysis.
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.
- ✗
Password hashes
Why it's wrong here
Password hashes are stored in authentication systems, not CMDB.
- ✗
Change request approvals
Why it's wrong here
Change approvals are part of change management, not CMDB.
- ✓
Relationships between configuration items
Why this is correct
CMDB tracks dependencies and relationships between CIs.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Incident tickets
Why it's wrong here
Incident tickets are part of incident management, not CMDB.
- ✓
Hardware inventory details such as serial numbers
Why this is correct
CMDB includes hardware CIs with attributes like serial number.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is confusing the CMDB with other ITIL processes or data stores, leading candidates to select change request approvals (a change management artifact) or incident tickets (an incident management artifact) as CMDB components, when they are separate records linked to CIs but not stored within the CMDB itself.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
A CMDB typically follows the ITIL framework and uses a data model that defines CIs (e.g., servers, applications, network devices) and their relationships (e.g., 'runs on', 'connects to'). The CMDB is populated via discovery tools that scan the network using protocols like SNMP, WMI, or SSH to capture attributes such as serial numbers, OS versions, and IP addresses. In real-world scenarios, a CMDB enables impact analysis for change management—for example, identifying all dependent CIs before patching a server—and supports incident management by mapping affected services to specific CIs.
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 developer is choosing between AES-256 (symmetric) and RSA-2048 (asymmetric) for encrypting a large file that will be sent to a partner. Symmetric encryption is fast but requires key exchange; asymmetric is slower but solves the key distribution problem. A hybrid approach — encrypt the file with AES, encrypt the AES key with RSA — is standard. Questions like this test whether you understand when each approach applies.
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: Relationships between configuration items — A CMDB is a repository that stores information about configuration items (CIs) and their relationships. Option C is correct because relationships between CIs are fundamental to understanding how changes affect the IT infrastructure. Option E is correct because hardware inventory details like serial numbers are typical attributes stored for each CI, enabling asset tracking and impact analysis.
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.
About these practice questions
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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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