Free Isaca CISM Practice Exam with Questions & Answers

Chain of custody is the MOST important requirement when collecting admissible evidence, because it ensures the integrity and authenticity of the evidence by documenting its history, handling, and storage. Chain of custody records who, what, when, where, why, and how the evidence was collected, analyzed, and preserved. Without a proper chain of custody, the evidence may be challenged or rejected in a court of law. Need to know, preserving audit logs, and due diligence are important aspects of evidence collection, but they are not as critical as chain of custody. References = CISM Review Manual, 16th Edition, page 3031; CISM Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Manual, 10th Edition, page 1492

The most important requirement when collecting admissible evidence is the chain of custody. The chain of custody is a documented record of who had control of the evidence at any given time, from the point of collection until the evidence is presented in court. This is important in order to ensure the evidence can be authenticated and is not subject to tampering or any other form of interference. Other important considerations include need to know, preserving audit logs, and due diligence.

Involving functional managers in program development is the most essential element of an information security program, because they are responsible for ensuring that the information security policies, standards, and procedures are implemented and enforced within their respective business units. They also provide input and feedback on the information security requirements, risks, and controls that affect their operations and objectives.

References =

CISM Review Manual, 16th Edition, ISACA, 2020, p. 37: “Functional managers are responsible for ensuring that the information security policies, standards, and procedures are implemented and enforced within their respective business units.”

CISM Review Manual, 16th Edition, ISACA, 2020, p. 38: “Functional managers should be involved in the development of the information security program to provide input and feedback on the information security requirements, risks, and controls that affect their operations and objectives.”

The best indicator that an information security governance framework has been successfully implemented is A. The framework aligns internal and external resources. This is because the framework should ensure that the information security strategy, policies, and objectives are aligned with the business goals, stakeholder expectations, and regulatory requirements. The framework should also enable the effective allocation and coordination of internal and external resources, such as people, processes, technology, and finances, to support the information security program and its activities.

The framework should ensure that the information security strategy, policies, and objectives are aligned with the business goals, stakeholder expectations, and regulatory requirements. The framework should also enable the effective allocation and coordination of internal and external resources, such as people, processes, technology, and finances, to support the information security program and its activities. (From CISM Manual or related resources)

References = CISM Review Manual 15th Edition, Chapter 1, Section 1.2.1, page 181; CISM Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Manual 9th Edition, Question 49, page 14

 A single point of administration in network monitoring is a centralized system that allows network administrators to manage and monitor the entire network from one location. A single point of administration can provide several benefits, such as:

Promoting efficiency in control of the environment: A single point of administration can simplify and streamline the network management tasks, such as configuration, troubleshooting, performance optimization, security updates, backup and recovery, etc. It can also reduce the time and cost of network maintenance and administration, as well as improve the consistency and quality of network services.

Reducing unauthorized access to systems: A single point of administration can enhance the network security by implementing centralized authentication, authorization and auditing mechanisms. It can also enforce consistent security policies and standards across the network, and detect and respond to any unauthorized or malicious activities.

Preventing inconsistencies in information in the distributed environment: A single point of administration can ensure the data integrity and availability by synchronizing and replicating the data across the network nodes. It can also provide a unified view of the network status and performance, and facilitate the analysis and reporting of network data.

Allowing administrative staff to make management decisions: A single point of administration can support the decision-making process by providing relevant and timely information and feedback to the network administrators. It can also enable the administrators to implement changes and improvements to the network based on the business needs and objectives.

Therefore, the primary benefit of introducing a single point of administration in network monitoring is that it promotes efficiency in control of the environment, as it simplifies and streamlines the network management tasks and improves the network performance and quality. References = CISM Review Manual, 16th Edition eBook | Digital | English1, Chapter 4: Information Security Program Development and Management, Section 4.3: Information Security Program Resources, Subsection 4.3.1: Information Security Infrastructure and Architecture, Page 205.

= Standardization of compliance requirements is the best approach to reduce unnecessary duplication of compliance activities, as it allows for a common understanding of the objectives and expectations of various stakeholders, such as regulators, auditors, customers, and business partners. Standardization also facilitates the alignment of compliance activities with the organization’s risk appetite and tolerance, and enables the identification and elimination of redundant or conflicting controls. References = CISM Review Manual, 27th Edition, page 721; CISM Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Database, 12th Edition, question 952

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Initiating incident response is the best course of action after a server has been attacked because it activates the incident response plan or process, which defines the roles and responsibilities, procedures and protocols, tools and techniques for responding to and managing a security incident effectively and efficiently. Reviewing vulnerability assessment is not a good course of action because it does not address the current attack or its impact, but rather evaluates the potential weaknesses or exposures of the server. Conducting a security audit is not a good course of action because it does not address the current attack or its impact, but rather verifies and validates the compliance or performance of the server’s security controls or systems. Isolating the system is not a good course of action because it does not address the current attack or its impact, but rather stops or limits any communication or interaction with the server. References: https://www.isaca.org/resources/isaca-journal/issues/2017/volume-5/incident-response-lessons-learned https://www.isaca.org/resources/isaca-journal/issues/2018/volume-3/incident-response-lessons-learned

A standardized security control is a set of rules, guidelines, or best practices that are designed to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information assets and systems. An information security framework is a collection of standardized security controls that are aligned with the organization’s objectives, strategy, and risk appetite. Adopting an information security framework provides a primary benefit of ensuring consistency, efficiency, and effectiveness in the implementation and management of information security across the organization.

References = CISM Review Manual 2022, page 321; CISM Exam Content Outline, Domain 1, Knowledge Statement 1.22; What is an Information Security Framework?; Information Security Frameworks: What Are They and Why Do You Need One?

Prioritizing incidents based on data classification standards ensures that the most sensitive and critical data exposures are addressed first, reducing the potential impact on the business.

“The impact of incidents should be evaluated based on the classification and sensitivity of the data involved.”

— CISM Review Manual 15th Edition, Chapter 4: Incident Management, Section: Incident Classification and Prioritization*

ISACA practice questions emphasize the importance of using data classification to properly prioritize incident response efforts.

The eradication phase of an incident response plan is where the root cause of the incident is determined and eliminated. This phase involves identifying and removing all traces of the malicious activity from the affected systems and restoring them to a secure state.

References = NIST SP 800-61 Revision 2, CISM Review Manual 15th Edition

 = A new regulatory requirement affecting an organization’s information security program is released. The information security manager’s first course of action should be to notify the legal department, as they are responsible for ensuring compliance with the relevant laws and regulations. The legal department can advise the information security manager on how to interpret and implement the new requirement, as well as what are the potential implications and risks for the organization12.

References = 1: CISM Review Manual (Digital Version), page 271 2: CISM Review Manual (Print Version), page 271

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1. isaca.org2. csoonline.com

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The most important consideration when developing key performance indicators (KPIs) for the information security program is B. Alignment with business initiatives. This is because KPIs are measurable values that demonstrate how effectively the information security program is achieving its objectives and delivering value to the organization. KPIs should be aligned with the business initiatives, such as the strategic goals, the mission, the vision, and the values of the organization, and support the achievement of the desired outcomes and benefits. KPIs should also reflect the needs, expectations, and challenges of the business stakeholders, and provide relevant, meaningful, and actionable information for decision making and improvement. KPIs should not be too technical, complex, or ambiguous, but rather focus on the key aspects of information security performance, such as risk, compliance, maturity, value, and effectiveness.

KPIs are measurable values that demonstrate how effectively the information security program is achieving its objectives and delivering value to the organization. KPIs should be aligned with the business initiatives, such as the strategic goals, the mission, the vision, and the values of the organization, and support the achievement of the desired outcomes and benefits. (From CISM Manual or related resources)

References = CISM Review Manual 15th Edition, Chapter 1, Section 1.3.2, page 281; CISM Domain – Information Security Program Development | Infosec2; KPIs in Information Security: The 10 Most Important Security Metrics3

 The business process owner is the person who is responsible for overseeing and managing the business processes and functions that are essential for the organization’s operations and objectives. The business process owner has the most direct and detailed knowledge of the inputs, outputs, dependencies, resources, and performance indicators of the business processes and functions. Therefore, the business process owner is the best person to calculate the recovery time and cost estimates when performing a business impact analysis (BIA), which is a process of identifying and quantifying the potential losses, damages, or consequences that could result from a disruption or an incident that affects the availability, integrity, or confidentiality of the information assets and systems that support the business processes and functions. The recovery time and cost estimates are the measures that indicate the time and money that are needed to resume and restore the normal business operations and functions after the disruption or incident. The recovery time and cost estimates can help to prioritize and protect the critical activities and resources, to allocate the appropriate budget and resources, to implement the necessary controls and measures, and to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the business continuity and disaster recovery plans.

The business continuity coordinator, the senior management, and the information security manager are all important roles in the BIA process, but they are not the best ones to calculate the recovery time and cost estimates. The business continuity coordinator is the person who is responsible for coordinating and facilitating the BIA process, as well as the development, implementation, and maintenance of the business continuity and disaster recovery plans. The business continuity coordinator can help to define and communicate the scope, objectives, and methodology of the BIA, to collect and analyze the data and information from the business process owners and other stakeholders, to report and present the BIA results and recommendations, and to provide feedback and suggestions for improvement and optimization of the BIA and the plans. The senior management is the group of people who have the ultimate authority and accountability for the organization’s strategy, direction, and performance. The senior management can help to approve and support the BIA process and the plans, to provide the strategic guidance and vision for the business continuity and disaster recovery, to allocate the necessary budget and resources, to oversee and monitor the BIA and the plans, and to make the final decisions and approvals. The information security manager is the person who is responsible for ensuring the security of the information assets and systems that support the business processes and functions. The information security manager can help to identify and assess the information security risks and issues that could affect the BIA and the plans, to implement and manage the security controls and measures that are needed to protect and recover the information assets and systems, to coordinate and collaborate with the business process owners and other stakeholders on the security aspects of the BIA and the plans, and to provide the security expertise and advice. References = CISM Review Manual 15th Edition, pages 228-2291; CISM Practice Quiz, question 1722

Security metrics are the best way to determine the maturity of an information security program because they are quantifiable indicators of the performance and effectiveness of the security controls and processes. Security metrics help to evaluate the current state of security, identify gaps and weaknesses, measure progress and improvement, and communicate the value and impact of security to stakeholders. Therefore, security metrics are the correct answer.

According to the web search results, a cloud access security broker (CASB) is a software solution that stands between the cloud service provider and the cloud service user to enforce security controls. One of the most important benefits of using a CASB when migrating to a cloud environment is enhanced data governance, as it helps to protect sensitive information from unauthorized access, sharing, or loss. A CASB can also provide data classification, encryption, data loss prevention (DLP), and other features that enable organizations to manage and secure their data in the cloud.

References = What Is a Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)?, A beginner’s guide to cloud access security brokers

The next step for the information security manager should be to inventory and review the current security policies to understand the existing security requirements, controls, and gaps. This will help to identify the areas that need to be updated, revised, or replaced to align with the current business needs and objectives, as well as the legal and regulatory requirements. Updating the policies in accordance with the best business practices, performing a risk assessment of the current IT environment, or gaining an understanding of the current business direction are important activities, but they should be done after reviewing the current security policies.

References = CISM Review Manual, 16th Edition eBook1, Chapter 1: Information Security Governance, Section: Information Security Policies, Standards, Procedures and Guidelines, Subsection: Information Security Policies, Page 28.

= According to the CISM Review Manual, one of the key success factors for an information security program is to maintain management support and commitment. This can be achieved by providing regular reports to management on the security status of the organization, the effectiveness of the security controls, and the alignment of the security program with the business objectives and strategy. By informing management about the security of business operations, the information security manager can demonstrate the value and benefits of the security program, and ensure that management is aware of the security risks and issues that need to be addressed. This technique can also help to build trust and confidence between the information security manager and the senior management, and foster a culture of security within the organization1

The other options are not as effective as informing management about the security of business operations. Implementing a comprehensive security awareness and training program is important, but it is mainly targeted at the end users and staff, not the senior management. Identifying the risks and consequences of failure to comply with standards can help to justify the need for security controls, but it can also create a negative impression of the security program as being too restrictive or punitive. Benchmarking the security programs of comparable organizations can provide some insights and best practices, but it may not reflect the specific needs and context of the organization, and it may not be relevant or applicable to the management’s expectations and priorities1

References = 1: CISM Review Manual, 16th Edition, ISACA, 2020, pp. 28-29…

Geopolitical risk involves complex legal, political, and compliance issues. The enterprise risk and legal teams are best positioned to provide guidance on how national laws, sanctions, and regulations impact operations and security strategies.

“In cases of geopolitical or cross-jurisdictional risk, coordination with legal and enterprise risk functions is essential for informed decision-making.”

— CISM Review Manual 15th Edition, Chapter 1: Information Security Governance, Section: Legal and Regulatory Context*

Security and technical controls should follow this strategic evaluation.

The process manager is the person who is responsible for overseeing and managing the business processes and functions that are essential for the organization’s operations and objectives. The process manager has the most direct and detailed knowledge of the inputs, outputs, dependencies, resources, and performance indicators of the business processes and functions. Therefore, the process manager is in the best position to evaluate the business impacts of a disruption or an incident that affects the availability, integrity, or confidentiality of the information assets and systems that support the business processes and functions. The process manager can identify and quantify the potential losses, damages, or consequences that could result from the disruption or incident, such as revenue loss, customer dissatisfaction, regulatory non-compliance, reputational harm, or legal liability. The process manager can also provide input and feedback to the information security manager and the senior management on the business continuity and disaster recovery plans, the risk assessment and treatment, and the security controls and measures that are needed to protect and recover the business processes and functions. References = CISM Review Manual 15th Edition, page 2301; CISM Practice Quiz, question 1302

A mature information security program is one that is aligned with the business strategy, objectives, and culture, and that delivers value to the organization by effectively managing the information security risks and enhancing the security posture. Optimizing the security resources means that the program uses the available human, financial, and technical resources in the most efficient and effective way, and that it continuously monitors and improves the performance and maturity of the security processes and controls.

References = CISM Review Manual 2022, page 331; CISM Exam Content Outline, Domain 1, Knowledge Statement 1.22; What is a Mature Information Security Program?; How to Measure the Maturity of Your Cybersecurity Program