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Isaca CISA Practice Test 53

Question 520

Management reports that this issue has been corrected: An internal portal outage follows certificate expiration despite an automated renewal job that reported success. Which result would provide the STRONGEST assurance that the issue is corrected?

  1. Repeat infections decline and validated corrective controls remain effective.
  2. An unauthorized administrator cannot export or use the CA signing key.
  3. The reconstructed sequence includes initial access, activity and response without unexplained gaps.
  4. A controlled renewal leaves the active endpoint with a valid trusted certificate.

Explanation

Correct Answer

D:

A controlled renewal leaves the active endpoint with a valid trusted certificate. It addresses public key infrastructure. Underlying audit concern: PKI monitoring should validate deployed certificates and trust paths, not just job status.

Incorrect Answers

A:

Repeat infections decline and validated corrective controls remain effective. This would be relevant to a different issue such as: After a malware outbreak is closed, identical infections recur because no root-cause or control improvement work is assigned. In the present case, the most directly relevant verification is: A controlled renewal leaves the active endpoint with a valid trusted certificate. The governing distinction is: PKI monitoring should validate deployed certificates and trust paths, not just job status.

B:

An unauthorized administrator cannot export or use the CA signing key. This would be relevant to a different issue such as: A certificate authority's signing key is available to several administrators without dual control. In the present case, the most directly relevant verification is: A controlled renewal leaves the active endpoint with a valid trusted certificate. The governing distinction is: PKI monitoring should validate deployed certificates and trust paths, not just job status.

C:

The reconstructed sequence includes initial access, activity and response without unexplained gaps. This would be relevant to a different issue such as: A cloud incident investigator exports only the latest activity logs, omitting records from the suspected initial compromise. In the present case, the most directly relevant verification is: A controlled renewal leaves the active endpoint with a valid trusted certificate. The governing distinction is: PKI monitoring should validate deployed certificates and trust paths, not just job status.

Question 521

Management reports that this issue has been corrected: A cloud incident investigator exports only the latest activity logs, omitting records from the suspected initial compromise. Which result would provide the STRONGEST assurance that the issue is corrected?

  1. Permitted application transactions work while direct unauthorized client access is denied.
  2. Image hashes match and each custody transfer is attributable and time-stamped.
  3. The reconstructed sequence includes initial access, activity and response without unexplained gaps.
  4. Users cannot obtain sensitive access until required training is recorded.

Explanation

Correct Answer

C:

The reconstructed sequence includes initial access, activity and response without unexplained gaps. It addresses evidence collection and forensics. Underlying audit concern: Forensic collection scope should preserve a complete relevant timeline within lawful boundaries.

Incorrect Answers

A:

Permitted application transactions work while direct unauthorized client access is denied. This would be relevant to a different issue such as: A production network permits unrestricted traffic from user workstations to a sensitive payment database. In the present case, the most directly relevant verification is: The reconstructed sequence includes initial access, activity and response without unexplained gaps. The governing distinction is: Forensic collection scope should preserve a complete relevant timeline within lawful boundaries.

B:

Image hashes match and each custody transfer is attributable and time-stamped. This would be relevant to a different issue such as: An investigator copies a suspect laptop disk without recording who handled it or whether the image changed. In the present case, the most directly relevant verification is: The reconstructed sequence includes initial access, activity and response without unexplained gaps. The governing distinction is: Forensic collection scope should preserve a complete relevant timeline within lawful boundaries.

D:

Users cannot obtain sensitive access until required training is recorded. This would be relevant to a different issue such as: Contractor onboarding omits data-handling training although contractors access classified research files. In the present case, the most directly relevant verification is: The reconstructed sequence includes initial access, activity and response without unexplained gaps. The governing distinction is: Forensic collection scope should preserve a complete relevant timeline within lawful boundaries.

Question 522

An IS auditor evaluates this situation: A call center continuity binder lists alternate desks but employees cannot access the customer service application from that location. Which audit principle MOST directly applies to this situation?

  1. Change control should assess end-to-end service dependencies and rollback feasibility.
  2. BCP governance requires delegation and clear command arrangements under disruption.
  3. RPO should be derived from business impact and transactional tolerance, not backup convenience.
  4. Continuity plans must integrate people, facilities, technology and business processes.

Explanation

Correct Answer

D:

Continuity plans must integrate people, facilities, technology and business processes. The corresponding audit procedure is: Review alternate site connectivity, authentication, software licensing and staff procedures.

Incorrect Answers

A:

Change control should assess end-to-end service dependencies and rollback feasibility. This would be relevant to a different issue such as: A routine database update causes outages because no dependency assessment included reporting services. In the present case, the most directly relevant principle is: Continuity plans must integrate people, facilities, technology and business processes. The governing distinction is: Continuity plans must integrate people, facilities, technology and business processes.

B:

BCP governance requires delegation and clear command arrangements under disruption. This would be relevant to a different issue such as: A continuity plan lists the chief executive as the only emergency decision authority with no alternate. In the present case, the most directly relevant principle is: Continuity plans must integrate people, facilities, technology and business processes. The governing distinction is: Continuity plans must integrate people, facilities, technology and business processes.

C:

RPO should be derived from business impact and transactional tolerance, not backup convenience. This would be relevant to a different issue such as: A sales system's backup schedule is chosen before the business determines acceptable data loss. In the present case, the most directly relevant principle is: Continuity plans must integrate people, facilities, technology and business processes. The governing distinction is: Continuity plans must integrate people, facilities, technology and business processes.

Question 523

Management reports that this issue has been corrected: A penetration test exercises production authentication without authorization or a recovery plan. Which result would provide the STRONGEST assurance that the issue is corrected?

  1. Unauthorized large plaintext exports are prevented or promptly detected despite disk encryption.
  2. Verified findings and compensating controls support the documented residual risk.
  3. Sample departures lose relevant access within policy limits and retain auditable evidence.
  4. Test evidence demonstrates authorized scope and no unauthorized production disruption.

Explanation

Correct Answer

D:

Test evidence demonstrates authorized scope and no unauthorized production disruption. It addresses security testing tools and techniques. Underlying audit concern: Security testing must have approved scope, safe methods and accountable rules of engagement.

Incorrect Answers

A:

Unauthorized large plaintext exports are prevented or promptly detected despite disk encryption. This would be relevant to a different issue such as: A database encrypts storage disks but application administrators can export plaintext sensitive records without monitoring. In the present case, the most directly relevant verification is: Test evidence demonstrates authorized scope and no unauthorized production disruption. The governing distinction is: Security testing must have approved scope, safe methods and accountable rules of engagement.

B:

Verified findings and compensating controls support the documented residual risk. This would be relevant to a different issue such as: A vulnerability scanner reports a critical web flaw but the service is behind a compensating control and no validation occurs. In the present case, the most directly relevant verification is: Test evidence demonstrates authorized scope and no unauthorized production disruption. The governing distinction is: Security testing must have approved scope, safe methods and accountable rules of engagement.

C:

Sample departures lose relevant access within policy limits and retain auditable evidence. This would be relevant to a different issue such as: A departed finance employee's account remains enabled in a payroll application after HR termination. In the present case, the most directly relevant verification is: Test evidence demonstrates authorized scope and no unauthorized production disruption. The governing distinction is: Security testing must have approved scope, safe methods and accountable rules of engagement.

Question 524

An IS auditor is preparing recommendations after reviewing this situation: A database access audit receives a file containing only current active users although it must assess leavers over the last quarter. Which recommendation would BEST address the identified weakness?

  1. Perform a documented plan refresh with the audit committee's appropriate approval.
  2. Corroborate privileged actions using independently controlled log sources and custody records.
  3. Rebuild the population including historical departures before selecting test items.
  4. Expand testing or qualify the conclusion according to sampling risk and materiality.

Explanation

Correct Answer

C:

Rebuild the population including historical departures before selecting test items. The relevant control principle is: Sampling from an incomplete population invalidates the intended terminated-user control test. A meaningful follow-up should establish: Each sampled leaver can be traced from HR termination to historical account status and removal time.

Incorrect Answers

A:

Perform a documented plan refresh with the audit committee's appropriate approval. This would be relevant to a different issue such as: A merger adds a regulated customer database after the audit plan was approved, but the plan is treated as unchangeable. In the present case, the most directly relevant recommendation is: Rebuild the population including historical departures before selecting test items. The governing distinction is: Sampling from an incomplete population invalidates the intended terminated-user control test.

B:

Corroborate privileged actions using independently controlled log sources and custody records. This would be relevant to a different issue such as: A vendor's audit log is editable by the same administrator whose changes are under investigation. In the present case, the most directly relevant recommendation is: Rebuild the population including historical departures before selecting test items. The governing distinction is: Sampling from an incomplete population invalidates the intended terminated-user control test.

D:

Expand testing or qualify the conclusion according to sampling risk and materiality. This would be relevant to a different issue such as: A sample of authorized changes contains failures, yet the auditor extrapolates a zero-percent exception rate. In the present case, the most directly relevant recommendation is: Rebuild the population including historical departures before selecting test items. The governing distinction is: Sampling from an incomplete population invalidates the intended terminated-user control test.

Question 525

Before reaching an audit conclusion, consider: A new HR system meets its technical go-live date but fails the promised reduction in onboarding time. Which evidence should the auditor review FIRST to evaluate this risk?

  1. Examine initial incidents, defect trends, handover documents and user support readiness.
  2. Review test completion, integration dependencies, issue severity and reporting practices.
  3. Compare approved business case, operational metrics, costs and observed user experience.
  4. Inspect threat model, data contracts, validation placement and rejected-case handling.

Explanation

Correct Answer

C:

Compare approved business case, operational metrics, costs and observed user experience. It is more reliable than assuming the claimed control state from discussion alone. The governing principle is: Post-implementation review should assess realized business outcomes as well as delivery.

Incorrect Answers

A:

Examine initial incidents, defect trends, handover documents and user support readiness. This would be relevant to a different issue such as: A completed software project is archived without documenting incidents and change causes from the first operating month. In the present case, the most directly relevant audit step is: Compare approved business case, operational metrics, costs and observed user experience. The governing distinction is: Post-implementation review should assess realized business outcomes as well as delivery.

B:

Review test completion, integration dependencies, issue severity and reporting practices. This would be relevant to a different issue such as: A program steering committee receives status reports from one vendor but has no visibility into independent testing delays. In the present case, the most directly relevant audit step is: Compare approved business case, operational metrics, costs and observed user experience. The governing distinction is: Post-implementation review should assess realized business outcomes as well as delivery.

D:

Inspect threat model, data contracts, validation placement and rejected-case handling. This would be relevant to a different issue such as: A payment API relies on user-supplied transaction values without server-side validation. In the present case, the most directly relevant audit step is: Compare approved business case, operational metrics, costs and observed user experience. The governing distinction is: Post-implementation review should assess realized business outcomes as well as delivery.

Question 526

Management reports that this issue has been corrected: A vendor's product demonstration uses sanitized sample data while the production workload needs complex legacy mappings. Which result would provide the STRONGEST assurance that the issue is corrected?

  1. Pilot data flows reconcile successfully against real-world mapping and exception requirements.
  2. Representative imaging workflow meets agreed performance and data-handling requirements.
  3. Sample and aggregate source-to-target totals agree or documented exceptions are resolved.
  4. A migrated encrypted sample is accessible to authorized users and remains protected.

Explanation

Correct Answer

A:

Pilot data flows reconcile successfully against real-world mapping and exception requirements. It addresses business case and feasibility analysis. Underlying audit concern: Feasibility conclusions require representative conditions and identified implementation constraints.

Incorrect Answers

B:

Representative imaging workflow meets agreed performance and data-handling requirements. This would be relevant to a different issue such as: A hospital chooses a cloud imaging service without confirming network reliability or clinical response needs. In the present case, the most directly relevant verification is: Pilot data flows reconcile successfully against real-world mapping and exception requirements. The governing distinction is: Feasibility conclusions require representative conditions and identified implementation constraints.

C:

Sample and aggregate source-to-target totals agree or documented exceptions are resolved. This would be relevant to a different issue such as: A data migration design encrypts transfers but does not detect missing or duplicated customer records. In the present case, the most directly relevant verification is: Pilot data flows reconcile successfully against real-world mapping and exception requirements. The governing distinction is: Feasibility conclusions require representative conditions and identified implementation constraints.

D:

A migrated encrypted sample is accessible to authorized users and remains protected. This would be relevant to a different issue such as: A cloud move assumes existing encryption keys will work in the target without import or custody testing. In the present case, the most directly relevant verification is: Pilot data flows reconcile successfully against real-world mapping and exception requirements. The governing distinction is: Feasibility conclusions require representative conditions and identified implementation constraints.

Question 527

Management reports that this issue has been corrected: A remote-access gateway accepts a password alone for high-impact production administrators. Which result would provide the STRONGEST assurance that the issue is corrected?

  1. An unauthorized password-only login to privileged remote access is rejected.
  2. A test user cannot complete both conflicting actions without independent authorization.
  3. The report links each claimed outcome to reproducible evidence and approved scope.
  4. A tabletop triggers authorized decisions and compliant notices within required timeframes.

Explanation

Correct Answer

A:

An unauthorized password-only login to privileged remote access is rejected. It addresses identity and access management. Underlying audit concern: Strong authentication should match privileged remote access risk and enterprise policy.

Incorrect Answers

B:

A test user cannot complete both conflicting actions without independent authorization. This would be relevant to a different issue such as: An accounts-payable supervisor can both create vendors and approve their first payments. In the present case, the most directly relevant verification is: An unauthorized password-only login to privileged remote access is rejected. The governing distinction is: Strong authentication should match privileged remote access risk and enterprise policy.

C:

The report links each claimed outcome to reproducible evidence and approved scope. This would be relevant to a different issue such as: A red-team exercise reports success based on one simulated phishing click without demonstrating access or business impact. In the present case, the most directly relevant verification is: An unauthorized password-only login to privileged remote access is rejected. The governing distinction is: Strong authentication should match privileged remote access risk and enterprise policy.

D:

A tabletop triggers authorized decisions and compliant notices within required timeframes. This would be relevant to a different issue such as: An organization discovers a reportable personal-data breach but no one knows who can authorize external notification. In the present case, the most directly relevant verification is: An unauthorized password-only login to privileged remote access is rejected. The governing distinction is: Strong authentication should match privileged remote access risk and enterprise policy.

Question 528

Management reports that this issue has been corrected: A ransomware incident plan focuses on restoring files but omits containment of compromised privileged identities. Which result would provide the STRONGEST assurance that the issue is corrected?

  1. A tabletop triggers authorized decisions and compliant notices within required timeframes.
  2. Restored services operate without active malicious access or unaddressed persistence.
  3. Verified findings and compensating controls support the documented residual risk.
  4. Connections to an untrusted endpoint fail while approved processor sessions work.

Explanation

Correct Answer

B:

Restored services operate without active malicious access or unaddressed persistence. It addresses security incident response management. Underlying audit concern: Incident response must coordinate containment, eradication, restoration and business decision-making.

Incorrect Answers

A:

A tabletop triggers authorized decisions and compliant notices within required timeframes. This would be relevant to a different issue such as: An organization discovers a reportable personal-data breach but no one knows who can authorize external notification. In the present case, the most directly relevant verification is: Restored services operate without active malicious access or unaddressed persistence. The governing distinction is: Incident response must coordinate containment, eradication, restoration and business decision-making.

C:

Verified findings and compensating controls support the documented residual risk. This would be relevant to a different issue such as: A vulnerability scanner reports a critical web flaw but the service is behind a compensating control and no validation occurs. In the present case, the most directly relevant verification is: Restored services operate without active malicious access or unaddressed persistence. The governing distinction is: Incident response must coordinate containment, eradication, restoration and business decision-making.

D:

Connections to an untrusted endpoint fail while approved processor sessions work. This would be relevant to a different issue such as: An application uses TLS for client sessions but disables certificate validation when connecting to its payment processor. In the present case, the most directly relevant verification is: Restored services operate without active malicious access or unaddressed persistence. The governing distinction is: Incident response must coordinate containment, eradication, restoration and business decision-making.

Question 529

Management reports that this issue has been corrected: A threat-intelligence feed generates blocks for obsolete indicators without regular relevance review. Which result would provide the STRONGEST assurance that the issue is corrected?

  1. An unauthorized password-only login to privileged remote access is rejected.
  2. Expired indicators are retired and material active threats remain detectable.
  3. A safe combined test creates a prioritized alert with adequate investigation context.
  4. Permitted application transactions work while direct unauthorized client access is denied.

Explanation

Correct Answer

B:

Expired indicators are retired and material active threats remain detectable. It addresses security monitoring tools and techniques. Underlying audit concern: Threat monitoring should assess indicator freshness, context and false-positive effects.

Incorrect Answers

A:

An unauthorized password-only login to privileged remote access is rejected. This would be relevant to a different issue such as: A remote-access gateway accepts a password alone for high-impact production administrators. In the present case, the most directly relevant verification is: Expired indicators are retired and material active threats remain detectable. The governing distinction is: Threat monitoring should assess indicator freshness, context and false-positive effects.

C:

A safe combined test creates a prioritized alert with adequate investigation context. This would be relevant to a different issue such as: A SOC receives repeated login alerts but does not correlate them with high-value account privilege changes. In the present case, the most directly relevant verification is: Expired indicators are retired and material active threats remain detectable. The governing distinction is: Threat monitoring should assess indicator freshness, context and false-positive effects.

D:

Permitted application transactions work while direct unauthorized client access is denied. This would be relevant to a different issue such as: A production network permits unrestricted traffic from user workstations to a sensitive payment database. In the present case, the most directly relevant verification is: Expired indicators are retired and material active threats remain detectable. The governing distinction is: Threat monitoring should assess indicator freshness, context and false-positive effects.

Question 530

An IS auditor is preparing recommendations after reviewing this situation: Operations declares an incident resolved because a server restarted, although business transactions remain stuck. Which recommendation would BEST address the identified weakness?

  1. Recommend an accurate component dependency inventory and risk review of single points of failure.
  2. Recommend protected incident evidence retention and audited deletion rules.
  3. Recommend tested alternate operator coverage and controlled emergency access.
  4. Recommend end-to-end business recovery criteria before incident closure.

Explanation

Correct Answer

D:

Recommend end-to-end business recovery criteria before incident closure. The relevant control principle is: Incident closure should confirm restoration of the affected business service, not just infrastructure state. A meaningful follow-up should establish: A sample transaction completes correctly and accountable users confirm recovery.

Incorrect Answers

A:

Recommend an accurate component dependency inventory and risk review of single points of failure. This would be relevant to a different issue such as: A payment service uses a load balancer, two application servers and one database but its diagram lists only the web servers as critical. In the present case, the most directly relevant recommendation is: Recommend end-to-end business recovery criteria before incident closure. The governing distinction is: Incident closure should confirm restoration of the affected business service, not just infrastructure state.

B:

Recommend protected incident evidence retention and audited deletion rules. This would be relevant to a different issue such as: A service desk deletes incident attachments when tickets are closed, preventing later regulatory review. In the present case, the most directly relevant recommendation is: Recommend end-to-end business recovery criteria before incident closure. The governing distinction is: Incident closure should confirm restoration of the affected business service, not just infrastructure state.

C:

Recommend tested alternate operator coverage and controlled emergency access. This would be relevant to a different issue such as: A highly available application uses only one privileged administrator who is unavailable during a holiday. In the present case, the most directly relevant recommendation is: Recommend end-to-end business recovery criteria before incident closure. The governing distinction is: Incident closure should confirm restoration of the affected business service, not just infrastructure state.

Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) Practice Tests