UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Cloud storage providers allocate space on networked servers and present it to users as if it were a drive accessible from many devices. Data stored there can be synchronised, shared and backed up automatically. This model reduces dependence on specific physical devices and supports collaboration. Therefore the services mentioned are instances of cloud storage.

Option A:
Option A, optical media, includes CDs and DVDs that are physical discs and require local drives; they are not internet-based services.

Option B:
Option B, removable storage, refers to USB drives or external disks that are attached directly to computers and do not inherently offer remote, multi-device access.

Option C:
Option C is correct because cloud storage explicitly denotes online file-hosting services where infrastructure is managed by third-party providers and users connect over the internet. The examples given in the stem are among the most widely used cloud storage platforms.

Option D:
Option D, local area storage, is not a standard term in cloud computing and suggests on-premises storage within a network rather than externally hosted services.

One of the key goals of information security is ensuring that data remain accessible when needed, even in the face of hardware failure, accidental deletion or disasters. Backups enable organisations and individuals to restore lost data and resume operations quickly. This directly contributes to the availability and recoverability of information resources. Thus the practice described aligns with the availability and recovery aspect of security.

Option A:
Option A, confidentiality, focuses on preventing unauthorized access to information and is typically achieved through controls like encryption and access permissions rather than simply keeping copies.

Option B:
Option B, authentication, deals with verifying the identity of users or systems and is implemented using passwords, tokens or biometrics. Backups do not by themselves confirm identity.

Option C:
Option C, integrity checking, ensures that data have not been altered in an unauthorized way, often using checksums or hashes; although backups can help compare versions, their primary purpose is not real-time integrity verification.

Option D:
Option D is correct because regular backups are a classic countermeasure to threats against availability, allowing systems to recover data after failures and continue providing services.

Data backup strategies are implemented to ensure that information can be restored if the primary storage device fails or files become corrupted by malware or errors. By keeping copies on separate media or in the cloud, organisations reduce the risk of permanent loss. This is a key aspect of ICT risk management and continuity planning. Therefore, backups mainly protect against hardware failure and corruption.

Option A:
Option A is correct because hardware breakdowns and file corruption are among the most common causes of data loss, and backup systems are specifically designed to mitigate these problems.

Option B:
Option B, increased redundancy, describes having duplicates but does not fully capture the underlying threat; redundancy is the means rather than the risk being addressed.

Option C:
Option C, user convenience, may be a secondary benefit but is not the primary reason for systematic backup procedures.

Option D:
Option D, faster processing, relates to performance improvements and is not a direct outcome of creating backup copies.

Statements A, B, C and E capture key aspects of reliable backup strategies, whereas D and F are unsafe. Regular and documented backups to separate locations, along with test restorations, help institutions recover from failures or disasters. Keeping only one copy is not a backup at all, and performing backups only once a year ignores day-to-day data changes. Thus the correct set excludes D and F and includes A, B, C and E.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it omits A, which stresses regular backups to reduce loss, and it includes F, which wrongly suggests backups only once a year are sufficient. Therefore this set is not correct.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because it includes F and omits C. Adding F suggests that annual backups are sufficient, which is inappropriate for dynamic institutional data. Leaving out C removes reference to documented schedules, so this option is not acceptable.

Option C:
Option C is correct because it encompasses regular backups, off-site storage, clear schedules and test restorations as a coherent strategy. It properly rejects D’s and F’s oversimplified approaches that expose data to unnecessary risk.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it includes F and omits B. Without B, there is no protection against local disasters, and including F implies very infrequent backups, so this combination cannot be correct.

Data can be lost due to hardware failure, theft, accidental deletion or malware. A robust backup strategy follows the principle of redundancy by keeping copies in different physical or logical locations. External drives and encrypted cloud storage provide alternatives if the main device fails. Regularly updating these backups ensures that recent work is preserved. Hence, this practice is most reliable.

Option A:
Relying on a single laptop without backups is risky because a single incident can wipe out all work. Academic research often represents months or years of effort, so such vulnerability is unacceptable.

Option B:
A USB drive is convenient but can be lost, damaged or corrupted. Using it as the only storage medium gives a false sense of security and still violates the redundancy principle.

Option C:
This option correctly combines periodic copying with diversification of storage media. It acknowledges that backups must be systematic rather than occasional, and that both local and remote options strengthen resilience.

Option D:
Paper printouts may be useful for reading but do not preserve dynamic aspects like code, databases or multimedia. They also make restoration time-consuming and error-prone, and they cannot be easily updated.

Statements A, B and C correctly outline prudent backup and compression practices, while D contradicts basic safety principles. Backups should be redundant and ideally off-device, with cloud services offering off-site resilience. Compression is a common method to save storage space or bandwidth but does not replace the need for multiple copies. Relying on a single device creates a single point of failure, so D is not acceptable. Therefore, the correct combination is A, B and C only.

Option A:
Option A is incomplete because it includes A and B but omits C. Although backups are central, understanding compression as a complementary strategy for efficient storage and transfer is also important.

Option B:
Option B is incomplete because it lists B and C only and leaves out A. Statement A emphasises the broader rationale for backup practices and should not be excluded when discussing data protection.

Option C:
Option C is correct because it brings together all the true statements about backups and compression and excludes the unsafe recommendation in D. It reflects the need for multiple copies and thoughtful storage management in ICT use.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it mixes A and C with D and treats D as correct. Suggesting that a single copy on one device is a good backup strategy exposes data to high risk of loss, so this option cannot be correct.

Statements A, B, D and E describe central features of modern student information systems. They manage key records, enforce role-based access, integrate with LMSs for enrolment and maintain audit trails for accountability. Statement C is false because all critical databases require backups to guard against corruption or hardware failure. Statement F is false since sharing credentials undermines security and traceability, so the correct combination retains A, B, D and E only.

Option A:
Option A is incomplete because it omits E and so does not mention audit trails, which are important for monitoring changes and investigating errors. A, B and D are true but do not fully describe how SIS ensures accountability.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because it includes F, which approves sharing credentials among staff. This practice weakens security and makes it difficult to attribute actions to specific users, so the presence of F invalidates the option.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it includes F and omits A. Excluding A ignores the basic storage role of SIS, and accepting F recommends insecure behaviour, so B, D, E and F cannot be correct.

Option D:
Option D is correct because it unites data management, access control, system integration and auditability in one set. It correctly rejects the idea that backups are unnecessary and that credential sharing is acceptable, providing a realistic view of SIS use.