- A
One copy in the cloud
Why wrong: The rule specifies one copy offsite, not necessarily cloud.
- B
Daily full backups
Why wrong: Frequency is not part of the 3-2-1 rule.
- C
All copies on the same media
Why wrong: The rule requires two different media types, not all on same.
- D
Two different media types
The '2' in 3-2-1: use two different media types (e.g., disk and tape).
- E
Three copies of the data
The '3' in 3-2-1: keep three copies of data (one primary, two backups).
Question 873 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 TWO of the following are key components of the 3-2-1 backup rule? (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
✓
Two different media types
The 3-2-1 backup rule requires three copies of the data (one primary and two backups), stored on two different media types (e.g., disk and tape, or local disk and cloud storage), with one copy kept offsite. Option D is correct because using two different media types ensures that a failure or vulnerability affecting one medium (e.g., ransomware encrypting a disk array) does not compromise the other copy. This diversity is a core principle of the rule, reducing the risk of simultaneous data loss.
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.
- ✗
One copy in the cloud
Why it's wrong here
The rule specifies one copy offsite, not necessarily cloud.
- ✗
Daily full backups
Why it's wrong here
Frequency is not part of the 3-2-1 rule.
- ✗
All copies on the same media
Why it's wrong here
The rule requires two different media types, not all on same.
- ✓
Two different media types
Why this is correct
The '2' in 3-2-1: use two different media types (e.g., disk and tape).
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Three copies of the data
Why this is correct
The '3' in 3-2-1: keep three copies of data (one primary, two backups).
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 the '2' in 3-2-1 refers to two copies of the data rather than two different media types, leading candidates to incorrectly select options like 'All copies on the same media' or to overlook the requirement for media diversity.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The 3-2-1 rule is a data protection strategy that mitigates risks like hardware failure, ransomware, and natural disasters. Under the hood, 'two different media types' often means using both a local disk-based backup (e.g., DAS or NAS) and a tape library or cloud object storage (e.g., S3 with immutability), leveraging different I/O protocols and failure domains. In a real-world scenario, if a company uses only disk-based backups and a cryptolocker encrypts the entire SAN, both copies are lost; using tape (which is offline and air-gapped) or cloud (with versioning) ensures recoverability.
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: Two different media types — The 3-2-1 backup rule requires three copies of the data (one primary and two backups), stored on two different media types (e.g., disk and tape, or local disk and cloud storage), with one copy kept offsite. Option D is correct because using two different media types ensures that a failure or vulnerability affecting one medium (e.g., ransomware encrypting a disk array) does not compromise the other copy. This diversity is a core principle of the rule, reducing the risk of simultaneous data loss.
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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