Free BCS CISMP-V9 Practice Exam with Questions & Answers | Set: 2

 Accountability is the term that describes the acknowledgement and acceptance of ownership of actions, decisions, policies, and deliverables. It implies that an individual or organization is willing to take responsibility for their actions and the outcomes of those actions, and is answerable to the relevant stakeholders. This concept is fundamental in information security management, as it ensures that individuals and teams are aware of their roles and the expectations placed upon them, particularly in relation to the protection of information assets. Accountability cannot be delegated; while tasks can be assigned to others, the ultimate ownership and obligation to report and justify the outcomes remain with the accountable party.

References: = The BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles outlines the importance of accountability within the context of information security management. It is a key principle that supports the governance of information security and the management of risks associated with information assets1.

The method used to target senior individuals in an organization for coercing them into actions like misdirected high-value payments is known as a whaling attack. This type of attack is a more targeted version of phishing, aimed specifically at high-ranking executives or important individuals within an organization. The attackers masquerade as a senior player at the organization and use social engineering techniques to trick the target into performing actions such as transferring money or revealing sensitive information. Whaling attacks are highly personalized and often involve extensive research on the target to make the fraudulent requestsseem legitimate and convincing. The term “whaling” is used because it refers to going after the “big fish” or “whales” of an organization, such as CEOs or CFOs, who have access to significant resources and sensitive information. References: Based on the information provided by Kaspersky’s resource center on whaling attacks1.

 In a security governance framework, the policy is typically at the highest level because it defines the overall direction and principles that govern the security posture of an organization. Policies are high-level statements that provide guidance to all members of an organization and form the foundation upon which standards, procedures, and guidelines are built. They are approved by the highest levels of management and are meant to be more stable over time, providing a consistent framework for security across the organization.

References: The information aligns with the principles outlined in the BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles, which emphasizes the importance of policy in establishing the security governance framework. Additionally, sources like the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) 2.01 and literature on informationsecurity governance234 support the notion that policy is the cornerstone of a security governance framework.

Changing default system passwords is a fundamental step in securing a new web server. Default passwords are often well-known and can be easily found in public documentation or through internet searches, making systems with unchanged default passwords highly vulnerable to unauthorized access. By changing these passwords, an administrator immediately reduces the risk of simple, automated attacks that exploit default credentials.

While the other options listed are also important security measures, they are not typically the first action taken. Encrypting the hard disk (B) is a good practice for protecting data at rest, but it does not protect against unauthorized access via default passwords. Hardening applications © and patching the OS (D) are critical for reducing the attack surface and protecting against known vulnerabilities, but they are generally performed after ensuring that the system is not accessible with default passwords.

References: The BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles emphasizes the importance of initial access control measures, such aschanging default passwords, as part of establishing a secure baseline before implementing further technical controls1.

The Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is the current specification for the encryption of electronic data established by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). AES is a symmetric block cipher that can encrypt (encipher) and decrypt (decipher) information, converting data to an unintelligible form called ciphertext and back to its original form, plaintext. The AES algorithm is capable of using cryptographic keys of 128, 192, and 256 bits to encrypt and decrypt data in blocks of 128 bits. It was selected by NIST as a Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) to protect electronic data and is widely recognized and used for secure data encryption1.

References: The BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles outlines the importance of understanding various encryption algorithms, including AES, for protecting electronic data. The NIST publication on AES provides detailed information about the standard and its application1.

The best practice when handling and investigating digital evidence for use in a criminal cybercrime investigation is to ensure that digital devices are forensically “clean” before any investigation takes place. This means that the devices should be free from any potential contamination that could compromise the integrity of the evidence. It’s crucial to maintain the original state of digital evidence as much as possible to ensure its admissibility in court. Altering digital evidence should be avoided unless it’s absolutely necessary for the investigation, and even then, it should be done following strict protocols to document the changes made. While law enforcement often handles digital evidence, the principle of maintaining a forensically clean state applies universally to ensure the evidence remains untainted and reliable.

References: The BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles emphasizes the importance of maintaining the integrity and reliability of digital evidence. It outlines the procedures and controls that should be in place when dealing with digital evidence, which includes ensuring devices are forensically clean before investigation1.

Security controls are measures taken to safeguard an information system from attacks or to mitigate the impact of a breach. They are commonly classified into three main categories: preventive, detective, and corrective. Preventive controls aim to prevent incidents before they occur, detective controls are designed to discover and detect security events, and corrective controls are intended to restore systems to normal operation after an incident. The term “nominative” is not recognized as a standard classification of security controls within the principles of information security management. Instead, the accepted classifications align with the objectives of protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information. References: The BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles outlines the categorization, operation, and effectiveness of controls of different types and characteristics, which does not include “nominative” as a classification1.

 In the context of business continuity (BC), the individual tasked with documenting all relevant details during a BC exercise or actual plan activation is known as the Scribe. The Scribe’s role is crucial as they ensure that all actions, decisions, and changes are recorded accurately, which is essential for post-incident reviews and audits. This position supports the BC process by providing a clear and chronological account of events, which is vital for assessing the effectiveness of the BC plan and for making improvements.

References: The information aligns with the knowledge domains covered in the BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles, particularly under the domain of Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Management1.

Defence in depth is a security concept that involves implementing multiple layers of security controls throughout an information system. The idea is that if one control fails or a vulnerability is exploited, other controls will provide redundancy and continue to protect the system. This approach is analogous to a physical fortress with multiple walls; if an attacker breaches one wall, additional barriers exist to stop them from progressing further. In the context of information security, this could include a combination of firewalls, intrusion detection systems, antivirus software, and strict access controls, among others. Defence in depth is designed to address security vulnerabilities not only in technology but also in processes and people, acknowledging that human error or negligence can often lead to security breaches.

References: The concept of defence in depth aligns with the Information Security Management Principles as outlined by BCS, particularly under the domains of Technical Security Controls and Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Management. It is alsosupported by various industry sources that describe defence in depth as a strategy that leverages multiple security measures to protect an organization’s assets12345.

 Online retailers are the most at risk for the theft of electronic-based credit card data due to the nature of their business, which involves processing a large volume of transactions over the internet. This exposes them to various cyber threats, including hacking, phishing, and other forms of cyber-attacks that can compromise credit card information. Traditional market traders, mail delivery businesses, and agricultural producers typically do not handle credit card transactions to the same extent or in the same electronic manner as online retailers, making them less likely targets for this specific type of data theft.

The principles of Information Security Management emphasize the importance of protecting sensitive data, such as credit card information, through technical security controls and risk management practices. Online retailers must implement robust security measures, including encryption, secure payment gateways, and regular security audits, to mitigate the risks associated with electronic transactions12.

References :=

• BCS Information Security Management Principles, particularly the sections on Technical Security Controls and Information Risk, provide guidance on protecting electronic data and managing the associated risks1.
• Additional insights can be found in the Information Security Management Principles, 3rd Edition by Andy Taylor, David Alexander, Amanda Finch, David Sutton2.

The primary reason organizations opt for outsourced managed security services is to gain access to specialized security tools and expertise that may not be feasible to maintain in-house due to cost or resource constraints. Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) offer a range of security services that can be tailored to an organization’s needs, allowing them to benefit from advanced security measures without the need for significant capital investment or the hiring of specialized staff. This shared service model is cost-effective and enables organizations to focus on their core business activities while ensuring robust security measures are in place. MSSPs can provide continuous monitoring, management of security devices and systems, incident response, and compliance support, which are crucial for maintaining a strong security posture in the face of evolving threats and complex regulatory environments.

References: The answer aligns with the knowledge provided by the BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles, which emphasizes the importance of cost-effective access to specialized tools and expertise through managed security services. Additionally, the benefits of MSSPs are supported by industry sources1234.