(ISC)2 Certified in Cybersecurity Practice Exam

Which three components are considered common points of failure in a system?

1. Power Supply, Networking, CPUs

2. Power Supply, Storage Media, Networking

3. Power Supply, User Interfaces, Storage Media

4. Power Supply, Software Applications, Networking

The correct answer is: Power Supply, Storage Media, Networking

The correct selection focuses on components that are commonly recognized as crucial to system operation and hence frequent points of failure. The power supply is essential, as it provides the necessary electrical energy to run all other components in the system. If the power supply fails, the system becomes non-operational. Storage media are also a significant point of failure because they are responsible for data retention. Mechanical failure in hard drives or wear and tear in other storage solutions can lead to data loss or inaccessibility, which can critically impact system functionality. Networking represents another crucial point of system reliability. Connectivity issues can disrupt communication between devices, leading to total system inoperability or inefficiencies in data transmission. Problems in networking hardware, such as routers and switches, can severely impede network operations. While the other choices contain valid components, they either include less critical elements or combinations that do not encompass primary failure points as effectively as the selected option does. Each of the components in the chosen answer directly relates to foundational system operation and the integral role they play in overall system health and performance.