CompTIA CASP+ Practice Test

In which scenario would restoring email from a backup be a feasible action?

1. The emails were deleted intentionally by the CIO

2. The CIO's devices were wiped and a subpoena requests emails

3. All data is permanently lost due to a server failure

4. The CIO's emails are stored in an external service

The correct answer is: The CIO's devices were wiped and a subpoena requests emails

Restoring email from a backup is a feasible action in the scenario where the CIO's devices were wiped, and there is a subpoena requesting emails. This scenario emphasizes the need for data recovery due to an external legal requirement. After a device wipe, emails that are vital for legal proceedings can typically be retrieved from backups, ensuring compliance with legal requests. This highlights the importance of having a reliable data backup strategy, especially for critical communication like emails. In cases of data loss owing to device wipes (which could occur due to malware, accidental deletion, or other mishaps), having backups allows organizations to fulfill legal obligations while preserving necessary information. In contrast, in situations such as intentional deletions or complete data loss due to server failure, restoring emails may not be possible or purposeful if the intent was to erase them or if backups were also lost. Furthermore, if the emails are stored in an external service, the ability to restore them may depend on the service's backup and recovery policies, which may not necessitate a local backup restoration.