An IS auditor is reviewing backup media inventory and finds the media have not been tested in seven years. Which of the following is the GREATEST risk to data retrieval?

The correct answer is A. Device obsolescence. Backup media that have not been tested for an extended period face a high risk of device obsolescence, meaning compatible hardware to read the media may no longer be available, making data retrieval difficult or impossible even if the data itself is intact.

Submitted by haruto_sh· Apr 18, 2026Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience

Question

Options

ADevice obsolescence
BStatic electricity
CRadio wave interference
DOutdated applications

How the community answered

(21 responses)

A
76% (16)
B
5% (1)
C
5% (1)
D
14% (3)

Explanation

Backup media that have not been tested for an extended period face a high risk of device obsolescence, meaning compatible hardware to read the media may no longer be available, making data retrieval difficult or impossible even if the data itself is intact.

Topics

#Backup and Recovery#Media Management#Obsolescence#Data Retrieval Risks

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