Isaca CISM Practice Test 45
Question 440
A hospital's data inventory excludes confidential imaging archives managed by a research partner. For the next governance decision, the team must verify classification remains correct after research scope changes. Which choice BEST provides that outcome?
- Reassess permitted use, retention and access with the asset owner
- Define contractually required safeguards derived from the classification
- Classify patient imaging using sensitivity, clinical need and applicable duties
- Integrate discovery and owner review into the data lifecycle
Explanation
Correct Answer
A:Information sensitivity changes with purpose. This is the specified management outcome in the scenario; it gives the accountable team an action matched to the stated requirement.
Incorrect Answers
B:Outside custody does not eliminate handling obligations. That action primarily serves the different objective to ensure the partner applies correct handling protections. It is not the step that directly satisfies the stated need to verify classification remains correct after research scope changes.
C:Business impact and regulation guide classification. That action primarily serves the different objective to assign classification based on harm and obligations. It is not the step that directly satisfies the stated need to verify classification remains correct after research scope changes.
D:Periodic discovery limits inventory drift. That action primarily serves the different objective to detect newly created unclassified datasets. It is not the step that directly satisfies the stated need to verify classification remains correct after research scope changes.
Question 441
A telecommunications firm cannot identify who owns encryption of call records stored across cloud platforms. The encryption requirements have already been approved and deployed, yet management has no operating evidence that all cloud copies and privileged key-access paths comply with those requirements. The security program has been tasked specifically to evaluate whether data protection operates as intended. Which approach should be selected?
- Separate key ownership, privileged access and independent logging
- Produce an approved data-flow and storage inventory including backup copies
- Use the classification and threat model to approve encryption and key handling requirements
- Review encryption configurations and key-access evidence across all copies
Explanation
Correct Answer
D:A policy does not prove every replica is protected. This is the specified management outcome in the scenario; it gives the accountable team an action matched to the stated requirement.
Incorrect Answers
A:Key access can undermine encryption. That action primarily serves the different objective to prevent unmanaged key administrators. It is not the step that directly satisfies the stated need to evaluate whether data protection operates as intended.
B:Encryption scope depends on actual locations. That action primarily serves the different objective to identify where records are stored and replicated. It is not the step that directly satisfies the stated need to evaluate whether data protection operates as intended.
C:Controls must match risk and use constraints. That action primarily serves the different objective to select an encryption approach appropriate to information sensitivity. It is not the step that directly satisfies the stated need to evaluate whether data protection operates as intended.
Question 442
A nonprofit is aligning its security program with a standard framework for donor confidence. A security manager has a defined assignment: refresh the framework mapping after new cloud services. Which action BEST fulfills that specific assignment?
- Obtain test evidence for selected controls and documented exceptions
- Rank findings by business exposure rather than control numbering
- Create a control catalog with consistent definitions and responsible roles
- Reassess control applicability for changed technology and partners
Explanation
Correct Answer
D:Framework scope should follow service changes. This is the specified management outcome in the scenario; it gives the accountable team an action matched to the stated requirement.
Incorrect Answers
A:Self-declaration alone is weak assurance. That action primarily serves the different objective to validate claims of conformity. It is not the step that directly satisfies the stated need to refresh the framework mapping after new cloud services.
B:Not every missing control has equal impact. That action primarily serves the different objective to prioritize gaps identified by a framework assessment. It is not the step that directly satisfies the stated need to refresh the framework mapping after new cloud services.
C:A common taxonomy supports oversight. That action primarily serves the different objective to establish a common language for control ownership. It is not the step that directly satisfies the stated need to refresh the framework mapping after new cloud services.
Question 443
A manufacturing group has security policy documents with inconsistent terminology and obsolete operating steps. The accountable executive now asks the team to manage exceptions for a machine that cannot support the standard. What should the security manager recommend?
- Assign approvals, review dates and business-control owners
- Require documented risk acceptance with compensating controls and expiry
- Observe operations and compare evidence with required standards
- Distribute role-specific instructions through normal operational channels
Explanation
Correct Answer
B:An exception should remain controlled. This is the specified management outcome in the scenario; it gives the accountable team an action matched to the stated requirement.
Incorrect Answers
A:Unowned documents become stale. That action primarily serves the different objective to identify document ownership. It is not the step that directly satisfies the stated need to manage exceptions for a machine that cannot support the standard.
C:Publication alone does not show compliance. That action primarily serves the different objective to confirm control procedures are followed. It is not the step that directly satisfies the stated need to manage exceptions for a machine that cannot support the standard.
D:Awareness depends on accessible guidance. That action primarily serves the different objective to communicate mandatory requirements to workers. It is not the step that directly satisfies the stated need to manage exceptions for a machine that cannot support the standard.
Question 444
A software provider must reduce unauthorized production database changes without delaying legitimate releases. After reviewing the situation, the management objective is to monitor changes that bypass approved release paths. Which response MOST directly addresses it?
- Integrate approval evidence into the automated deployment workflow
- Attempt a controlled unauthorized release and verify blocking and logging
- Use emergency change authority with retrospective independent review
- Alert on direct privileged writes outside approved deployment workflows
Explanation
Correct Answer
D:Operational signals reveal control failures. This is the specified management outcome in the scenario; it gives the accountable team an action matched to the stated requirement.
Incorrect Answers
A:A policy alone cannot stop bypass. That action primarily serves the different objective to ensure changes follow the intended path. It is not the step that directly satisfies the stated need to monitor changes that bypass approved release paths.
B:Technical enforcement should be demonstrated. That action primarily serves the different objective to test effectiveness of the change control. It is not the step that directly satisfies the stated need to monitor changes that bypass approved release paths.
C:Emergency processes need accountability. That action primarily serves the different objective to handle an emergency fix under a defined exception. It is not the step that directly satisfies the stated need to monitor changes that bypass approved release paths.
Question 445
A retail group is deploying network access controls across stores that use many third-party maintenance devices. One newly enrolled maintenance device requests a cross-zone route that is not documented in the currently approved access baseline. For the next governance decision, the team must respond when new maintenance devices need access. Which choice BEST provides that outcome?
- Pilot policies in representative stores with rollback and monitoring
- Test blocked cross-zone paths and required allowed services
- Assign a newly enrolled vendor device to its previous trust zone based solely on the vendor name and last quarter's device list
- Require an access review and update the approved segmentation baseline
Explanation
Correct Answer
D:New devices should not inherit broad access. This is the specified management outcome in the scenario; it gives the accountable team an action matched to the stated requirement.
Incorrect Answers
A:Controlled rollout reduces disruption. That action primarily serves the different objective to phase the control implementation safely. It is not the step that directly satisfies the stated need to respond when new maintenance devices need access.
B:Configuration alone cannot prove segmentation. That action primarily serves the different objective to verify the network controls enforce the design. It is not the step that directly satisfies the stated need to respond when new maintenance devices need access.
C:Newly requested cross-zone access should be reviewed and the approved baseline updated for the actual device and business requirement. Reusing the vendor's old zone assignment assumes risk facts that have not been established.
Question 446
A payment processor has tuned its web application firewall after finding injection attempts reaching applications. The security program has been tasked specifically to verify improvements after tuning. Which approach should be selected?
- Analyze rule configuration, exceptions and application routing
- Record test methods, observed bypasses and control owner responses
- Retest the previously successful attack paths under normal traffic conditions
- Rank fixes by reachable exposure and payment-processing impact
Explanation
Correct Answer
C:Recreate the previously successful injection paths using authorized tests under representative traffic, check blocking and application behavior, and retain the results. This tests whether the WAF tuning actually corrected the earlier failure without disrupting valid requests.
Incorrect Answers
A:Rule and routing analysis may explain the original WAF bypass, but it cannot independently demonstrate that the newly tuned rules now prevent the previously observed attacks.
B:Recording evidence and ownership supports a defensible remediation history. Documentation is not a substitute for exercising the attack paths after the configuration change.
D:Risk-ranked remediation helps select what to fix first; the question instead asks for effectiveness verification after the tuning has already occurred.
Question 447
A utilities firm conducts annual cyber training but plant operators still approve suspicious remote access requests. A security manager has a defined assignment: adjust training after repeated drill failures. Which action BEST fulfills that specific assignment?
- Test operator decisions in controlled drills and review errors
- Analyze root causes and rework targeted lessons before retesting
- Provide job aids and supervisor checks at access approval points
- Use realistic contractor remote-access and safety workflows
Explanation
Correct Answer
B:Measured gaps should shape program content. This is the specified management outcome in the scenario; it gives the accountable team an action matched to the stated requirement.
Incorrect Answers
A:Completion does not prove competence. That action primarily serves the different objective to evaluate learning beyond course completion. It is not the step that directly satisfies the stated need to adjust training after repeated drill failures.
C:Workflow reinforcement supports retention. That action primarily serves the different objective to reinforce the behavior in everyday work. It is not the step that directly satisfies the stated need to adjust training after repeated drill failures.
D:Practice must match actual decisions. That action primarily serves the different objective to develop relevant training scenarios. It is not the step that directly satisfies the stated need to adjust training after repeated drill failures.
Question 448
A logistics firm moves its vehicle-tracking platform to a managed SaaS provider. The accountable executive now asks the team to plan an orderly exit if the supplier fails. What should the security manager recommend?
- Add incident notice, audit rights, availability and data-return terms to the contract
- Review assurance reports, outages and open remediation items against obligations
- Test access to exportable data and an alternate service transition path
- Require approval and impact assessment under supplier governance terms
Explanation
Correct Answer
C:Exit readiness limits lock-in exposure. This is the specified management outcome in the scenario; it gives the accountable team an action matched to the stated requirement.
Incorrect Answers
A:Controls need contractual accountability. That action primarily serves the different objective to make security duties enforceable. It is not the step that directly satisfies the stated need to plan an orderly exit if the supplier fails.
B:Point-in-time diligence expires. That action primarily serves the different objective to monitor supplier performance after launch. It is not the step that directly satisfies the stated need to plan an orderly exit if the supplier fails.
D:Fourth-party changes can alter risk. That action primarily serves the different objective to manage a proposed subprocessor change. It is not the step that directly satisfies the stated need to plan an orderly exit if the supplier fails.
Question 449
A bank's cloud vendor depends on another company for physical data-center operations. After reviewing the situation, the management objective is to address a critical subcontractor's control failure. Which response MOST directly addresses it?
- Obtain relevant reports and contract flow-down evidence for high-impact subcontractors
- Ensure the prime vendor contract imposes timely subcontractor notice and escalation
- Evaluate correlated outages and recovery dependence across providers
- Escalate through the prime supplier and assess alternative service arrangements
Explanation
Correct Answer
D:The enterprise retains responsibility for service continuity. This is the specified management outcome in the scenario; it gives the accountable team an action matched to the stated requirement.
Incorrect Answers
A:Primary supplier reports may not cover downstream work. That action primarily serves the different objective to define which assurance evidence is needed. It is not the step that directly satisfies the stated need to address a critical subcontractor's control failure.
B:Accountability must flow through the chain. That action primarily serves the different objective to make incident notification duties reach downstream providers. It is not the step that directly satisfies the stated need to address a critical subcontractor's control failure.
C:Multiple brands can share one failure domain. That action primarily serves the different objective to monitor concentration risk from common facilities. It is not the step that directly satisfies the stated need to address a critical subcontractor's control failure.
Question 450
A sales organization suffered credential theft after repeated social engineering calls to its help desk. For the next governance decision, the team must respond when attackers switch to collaboration chat. Which choice BEST provides that outcome?
- Update training and procedural controls for the new contact channel
- Test sampled reset requests and track unauthorized exceptions
- Train on verification procedures and supervised escalation drills
- Implement dual approval and recorded verification for sensitive recovery requests
Explanation
Correct Answer
A:Threat changes should alter practice. This is the specified management outcome in the scenario; it gives the accountable team an action matched to the stated requirement.
Incorrect Answers
B:Proof of behavior matters more than course attendance. That action primarily serves the different objective to measure effectiveness after training changes. It is not the step that directly satisfies the stated need to respond when attackers switch to collaboration chat.
C:Scenario practice improves response. That action primarily serves the different objective to teach staff how to challenge urgent callers safely. It is not the step that directly satisfies the stated need to respond when attackers switch to collaboration chat.
D:Preventive workflow limits social engineering. That action primarily serves the different objective to prevent overrides of high-risk identity resets. It is not the step that directly satisfies the stated need to respond when attackers switch to collaboration chat.