Isaca  CISA Certified Information Systems Auditor Exam  Dumps and Practice Test Questions Set 4 Q 61- 80

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Question 61

During an audit, the IS auditor finds that change management approvals are bypassed for urgent system updates. Which risk is MOST significant?

A) IT staff may experience higher workload
B) Unauthorized or untested changes may disrupt business operations
C) Change requests may be delayed
D) Users may experience minor inconvenience

Answer: B)

Explanation

Unauthorized or untested changes disrupting business operations is the most significant risk when change management approvals are bypassed for urgent system updates. Change management is a critical IT governance process designed to ensure that modifications to systems, applications, or infrastructure are properly documented, tested, and authorized. Skipping approvals, even for urgent changes, increases the likelihood of errors, configuration conflicts, or system instability.

A) Higher workload for IT staff is an operational concern. While bypassing approvals may temporarily reduce process steps, it does not mitigate the security or operational risks introduced by untested changes. Operational inefficiency is secondary to the threat of disruption caused by improper changes.

B) Unauthorized or untested changes are a direct threat to the availability, integrity, and stability of IT systems. Updates implemented without approvals may cause compatibility issues, application failures, or unintended downtime. For example, an urgent patch applied to a database server without validation may corrupt critical data or break dependent applications. Auditors emphasize strict adherence to change management policies because controlled, approved, and documented changes minimize the risk of system failures, ensure traceability, and maintain compliance with internal standards and regulatory frameworks. Skipping approvals undermines accountability, increases exposure to operational disruptions, and can result in financial losses, customer dissatisfaction, and reputational damage.

C) Delayed change requests are a procedural concern. While prompt processing of requests is desirable, the primary risk lies in the consequences of unauthorized or untested changes, not the processing time of requests.

D) Minor user inconvenience is a secondary operational concern. While users may experience temporary disruptions, this is significantly less critical than the potential for major system failures or business interruptions caused by unapproved changes.

Adhering to change management approvals ensures that urgent updates are assessed for impact, tested for compatibility, and authorized by the appropriate personnel. Bypassing these controls introduces the most significant risk: disruptions from unauthorized or untested changes.

Question 62

During an audit, the IS auditor finds that the organization does not maintain detailed records of privileged access activity. Which risk is MOST significant?

A) IT staff may spend excessive time on audits
B) Unauthorized actions may go undetected
C) Passwords may expire without notice
D) System performance may be reduced

Answer: B)

Explanation

Unauthorized actions going undetected is the most significant risk when detailed records of privileged access activity are not maintained. Privileged accounts have broad access to sensitive systems, critical data, and administrative functions. Without comprehensive logging and monitoring, malicious or accidental actions cannot be traced or analyzed, making it difficult to detect fraud, data breaches, or policy violations.

A) IT staff spending more time on audits is an operational concern. While it affects productivity, it is less significant than the potential for security breaches that cannot be detected due to missing logs.

B) Undetected unauthorized actions represent a direct threat to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information and systems. Privileged users may intentionally manipulate financial data, access sensitive customer information, or install unauthorized software. Without activity logs, there is no accountability or audit trail, and investigating incidents becomes challenging. Regulatory compliance frameworks, such as SOX or PCI DSS, require detailed tracking of privileged activities to ensure traceability and accountability. Auditors consider lack of logging a critical control weakness because it allows high-impact actions to go unnoticed, potentially resulting in significant financial, operational, and reputational consequences.

C) Passwords expiring without notice is an administrative issue. While it can cause temporary access disruption, it does not directly expose the organization to unauthorized access or data compromise.

D) Reduced system performance is a minor operational concern. While logging may slightly impact performance, the security implications of undetected privileged actions are far more critical than potential performance degradation.

Maintaining detailed records of privileged access is essential for monitoring, accountability, and compliance. The most significant risk is the inability to detect unauthorized actions, which could compromise critical systems or sensitive data.

Question 63

During an audit, the IS auditor finds that firewall rules are overly permissive. Which risk is MOST significant?

A) Network performance may decrease
B) Unauthorized access to internal systems may occur
C) IT staff may spend additional time reviewing rules
D) Firewall logs may become large and difficult to analyze

Answer: B)

Explanation

Unauthorized access to internal systems is the most significant risk when firewall rules are overly permissive. Firewalls serve as the first line of defense between internal networks and external threats. Overly permissive rules may allow unrestricted inbound or outbound traffic, exposing critical systems to attackers who can exploit vulnerabilities, gain unauthorized access, or exfiltrate data.

A) Decreased network performance is an operational concern. While inefficient rules may affect throughput or latency, it does not directly compromise system security. Performance issues are secondary to the exposure of internal systems to unauthorized access.

B) Unauthorized access is a direct threat to confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Excessive firewall permissions may bypass intended segmentation, allowing attackers to reach sensitive databases, financial applications, or intellectual property. Auditors evaluate firewall configurations to ensure that rules follow the principle of least privilege, restricting traffic to only necessary sources, destinations, and ports. Overly permissive rules increase the attack surface and facilitate exploits such as malware propagation, credential theft, or denial-of-service attacks. This is the most critical risk because it can lead to operational disruptions, data breaches, and regulatory non-compliance.

C) IT staff spending additional time reviewing rules is an operational burden. While management overhead is increased, the critical risk arises from potential unauthorized access enabled by misconfigured rules, not staff workload.

D) Large firewall logs complicate monitoring but do not directly increase exposure. While log volume may affect incident detection efficiency, the absence of rule enforcement represents a more immediate and significant risk.

Proper firewall configuration enforces strict access control, limits attack surfaces, and protects critical resources. Overly permissive rules compromise these controls, making unauthorized access the most significant risk.

Question 64

During an audit, the IS auditor finds that database user accounts are not segregated by role. Which risk is MOST significant?

A) Database performance may degrade
B) Unauthorized users may perform actions beyond their responsibilities
C) IT staff may require additional training
D) Database maintenance may take longer

Answer: B)

Explanation

Unauthorized users performing actions beyond their responsibilities is the most significant risk when database accounts are not segregated by role. Role-based access control (RBAC) ensures that users have permissions aligned with their job functions. Lack of segregation allows any user with a generic account to access, modify, or delete data they should not be authorized to handle, potentially leading to data breaches, financial fraud, or regulatory violations.

A) Database performance degradation is an operational issue. While improper account design may slightly affect efficiency, it does not pose a direct threat to security or compliance.

B) Actions beyond authorized responsibilities are a direct threat to confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Users with excessive permissions can manipulate sensitive data, interfere with critical transactions, or expose the system to security vulnerabilities. Auditors evaluate account segregation to ensure that access privileges enforce the principle of least privilege. Unrestricted accounts compromise this control, allowing malicious insiders or compromised accounts to exploit vulnerabilities or exfiltrate sensitive data. Regulatory frameworks such as SOX, HIPAA, or GDPR require access limitations to protect sensitive information. Without role segregation, organizations cannot guarantee compliance, making unauthorized actions the most significant risk.

C) Additional IT staff training is an operational concern. While training improves compliance awareness, it does not mitigate the inherent risk posed by unrestricted access.

D) Longer database maintenance is an administrative inconvenience. Maintenance duration is less critical than potential unauthorized access or data compromise.

Role-based segregation of database accounts ensures accountability, minimizes insider threats, and supports regulatory compliance. Unauthorized actions due to lack of segregation are the most critical risk.

Question 65

During an audit, the IS auditor finds that user authentication logs are not regularly analyzed. Which risk is MOST significant?

A) Users may experience login delays
B) Unauthorized access attempts may go undetected
C) IT staff may spend extra time supporting users
D) Password policies may be inconsistently applied

Answer: B)

Explanation

Unauthorized access attempts going undetected is the most significant risk when user authentication logs are not regularly analyzed. Authentication logs record login attempts, successful and failed logins, and other access-related events. Reviewing these logs allows organizations to detect suspicious activity, brute force attacks, or compromised credentials. Without regular analysis, attacks can remain unnoticed, potentially allowing unauthorized users to gain access to sensitive systems or data.

A) Login delays are operational inconveniences. While they may affect productivity, they do not directly compromise system security or data integrity.

B) Undetected unauthorized access is a direct threat to confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Attackers can exploit weak passwords, credential reuse, or social engineering to gain unauthorized access. Without regular log analysis, these attempts may not trigger alerts, delaying detection and mitigation. Regulatory frameworks often mandate monitoring and analysis of authentication logs to ensure timely detection of security incidents. Auditors emphasize log review as a preventive and detective control. Failure to monitor authentication activity increases the risk of prolonged unauthorized access, data exfiltration, or operational disruption, making it the most significant risk.

C) IT staff spending extra time supporting users is an operational burden. While additional support may increase workload, the core risk lies in missed detection of unauthorized access attempts.

D) Inconsistent password policies are a security concern but secondary to the actual risk of undetected unauthorized access. Even strong password policies cannot prevent attackers from exploiting compromised accounts if authentication logs are not monitored.

Regular analysis of authentication logs provides visibility into abnormal patterns, unauthorized attempts, and potential insider threats. The inability to detect unauthorized access makes this the most significant risk.

Question 66

During an audit, the IS auditor finds that data classification policies are not consistently applied. Which risk is MOST significant?

A) Employees may be confused about document handling procedures
B) Sensitive data may be exposed to unauthorized individuals
C) IT staff may spend more time labeling documents
D) Data storage costs may increase

Answer: B)

Explanation

Sensitive data being exposed to unauthorized individuals is the most significant risk when data classification policies are not consistently applied. Data classification involves categorizing information based on sensitivity, regulatory requirements, and business impact. Proper classification guides handling, access controls, storage, and transmission procedures. Inconsistent application results in sensitive information being treated as public or general, bypassing critical security measures.

A) Employee confusion about handling procedures is an operational concern. While inconsistent policies may lead to mistakes or inefficiencies, this issue is less critical than the exposure of sensitive information, which can lead to significant financial, legal, and reputational consequences.

B) Exposure of sensitive data is a direct threat to confidentiality, integrity, and compliance. For example, personal identifiable information (PII), intellectual property, or financial data could be accessed by unauthorized employees, contractors, or external attackers if it is not appropriately labeled and protected. Data classification is foundational for implementing encryption, access restrictions, secure storage, and proper disposal. Auditors focus on classification because improper labeling undermines all downstream security controls, including access management, monitoring, and data retention policies. Inconsistent application increases the likelihood that sensitive information will be mishandled, lost, or stolen, leading to regulatory violations, data breaches, and potential legal penalties.

C) IT staff spending more time labeling documents is a procedural burden. While excessive effort may reduce efficiency, it does not threaten data confidentiality or regulatory compliance.

D) Increased data storage costs is an operational concern. While misclassification may result in redundant or inefficient storage, it is significantly less severe than the risk of unauthorized disclosure.

Proper data classification ensures sensitive information receives adequate protection, supports regulatory compliance, and facilitates proper handling throughout its lifecycle. The most critical risk of inconsistent classification is exposure to unauthorized individuals.

Question 67

During an audit, the IS auditor finds that backup tapes are transported without encryption. Which risk is MOST significant?

A) Backup operations may take longer
B) Confidential data may be accessed if tapes are lost or stolen
C) IT staff may spend more time managing tapes
D) Tape storage costs may increase

Answer: B)

Explanation

Confidential data being accessed if backup tapes are lost or stolen is the most significant risk when tapes are transported without encryption. Backup tapes often contain complete copies of critical systems, databases, and sensitive information. Physical transport of unencrypted media exposes data to theft, loss, or unauthorized access during transit, which can result in data breaches, regulatory violations, and reputational damage.

A) Longer backup operations are an operational concern. While transport logistics may affect efficiency, they do not directly threaten confidentiality, integrity, or availability.

B) Access to confidential data is a direct threat to security and compliance. If an unencrypted backup tape is lost in transit or stolen, any individual with physical access can retrieve the information without technical barriers. Sensitive data, such as financial records, personal information, intellectual property, or regulatory data, may be compromised. Auditors emphasize encryption of backup media to mitigate this risk. Encryption ensures that even if physical media is lost or stolen, the data remains unreadable without the encryption key. Without this control, organizations are exposed to high-impact incidents, including identity theft, competitive disadvantage, and legal penalties.

C) IT staff spending more time managing tapes is an operational concern. While inefficient management may increase workload, it does not compromise the security of the data itself.

D) Increased storage costs are a minor operational concern. While transport logistics or storage solutions may impact costs, they are less critical than the potential exposure of sensitive information.

Encrypting backup media and implementing secure transport policies are essential for protecting sensitive data. The primary risk is unauthorized access to the information contained on unencrypted tapes during transit.

Question 68

During an audit, the IS auditor finds that multi-factor authentication (MFA) is not enforced for remote access. Which risk is MOST significant?

A) Users may experience longer login times
B) Remote access accounts may be compromised
C) IT staff may receive additional support requests
D) VPN performance may degrade

Answer: B)

Explanation

Remote access accounts being compromised is the most significant risk when multi-factor authentication (MFA) is not enforced. Remote access often occurs over unsecured networks, such as home Wi-Fi or public hotspots. MFA provides an additional layer of security by requiring multiple credentials, making it more difficult for attackers to gain access using stolen or guessed passwords. Without MFA, accounts are vulnerable to phishing, brute-force attacks, credential stuffing, and unauthorized access.

A) Longer login times are an operational concern. While MFA may slightly increase the time required for authentication, the risk posed by lack of MFA is significantly more severe than minor user inconvenience.

B) Compromise of remote access accounts is a direct threat to confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Attackers may exploit weak authentication to gain unauthorized access to corporate systems, sensitive data, or critical applications. For auditors, enforcing MFA is a key control for preventing unauthorized access, particularly for accounts with privileged access or external connectivity. Without MFA, compromised credentials can result in data breaches, ransomware deployment, or lateral movement within the organization. Regulatory frameworks and security standards increasingly require MFA as a best practice to mitigate identity-based threats. The absence of MFA represents a high-impact risk that could facilitate significant security incidents.

C) Additional IT support requests are an administrative concern. While user support may increase, it is secondary to the critical risk of account compromise and potential data exposure.

D) VPN performance degradation is a minor operational issue. While adding MFA may slightly impact connection performance, the main concern is the prevention of unauthorized access.

Enforcing MFA is critical for securing remote access and mitigating risks associated with compromised credentials. The primary risk is unauthorized access, which could lead to severe security and operational impacts.

Question 69

During an audit, the IS auditor finds that endpoint security software is installed but not regularly updated. Which risk is MOST significant?

A) Endpoints may experience slower performance
B) Endpoints may remain vulnerable to malware and cyberattacks
C) IT staff may spend more time troubleshooting
D) Users may receive excessive software notifications

Answer: B)

Explanation

Endpoints remaining vulnerable to malware and cyberattacks is the most significant risk when endpoint security software is not regularly updated. Security software relies on the latest threat definitions, patches, and signatures to detect and prevent known vulnerabilities and malware infections. Without timely updates, endpoints become susceptible to ransomware, spyware, trojans, and other malicious attacks, compromising system integrity, data confidentiality, and operational availability.

A) Slower endpoint performance is an operational concern. While outdated software may cause minor inefficiencies, it is less severe than the security risk posed by unprotected systems.

B) Vulnerability to cyberattacks is a direct threat to confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Outdated endpoint protection may fail to detect or block known threats, leaving critical data and applications exposed. Auditors assess the update frequency and effectiveness of endpoint security controls to ensure timely threat mitigation. Systems without regular updates are particularly at risk in environments where malware evolves rapidly. Compromised endpoints can serve as entry points for network-wide attacks, spreading malware, stealing credentials, or disrupting services. The inability to maintain updated protection significantly increases operational, financial, and reputational risk.

C) IT staff spending more time troubleshooting is an operational burden. While managing unprotected endpoints may increase workload, it is secondary to the risk of malware infiltration and potential system compromise.

D) Excessive software notifications are a minor inconvenience. Notification volume does not pose a security threat compared to the potential impact of unmitigated vulnerabilities.

Regular updates of endpoint security software are essential to ensure effective threat detection and system protection. The primary risk is leaving endpoints vulnerable to malware and cyberattacks.

Question 70

During an audit, the IS auditor finds that mobile device management (MDM) policies are not enforced for personal devices accessing corporate resources. Which risk is MOST significant?

A) Users may experience login delays
B) Sensitive corporate data may be accessed or exfiltrated from unsecured devices
C) IT staff may receive additional support requests
D) Mobile applications may perform slower

Answer: B)

Explanation

Sensitive corporate data being accessed or exfiltrated from unsecured devices is the most significant risk when mobile device management (MDM) policies are not enforced for personal devices. Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) programs increase flexibility but also introduce security risks if devices are not properly controlled. MDM policies enforce encryption, password protection, remote wipe, and application restrictions to safeguard corporate information on personal devices.

A) Login delays are an operational inconvenience. While poor device management may cause minor access delays, they do not directly compromise security.

B) Data exposure or exfiltration is a direct threat to confidentiality, integrity, and compliance. Unmanaged personal devices may be lost, stolen, or infected with malware, allowing unauthorized individuals to access sensitive corporate information. Attackers can exploit weak security controls to steal intellectual property, financial data, or personal information of customers and employees. Auditors evaluate the enforcement of MDM policies to ensure consistent protection across all devices accessing corporate resources. Without proper enforcement, organizations face significant risks of data breaches, regulatory violations, and reputational damage. Personal devices without MDM controls undermine network security and can serve as entry points for cyberattacks.

C) Additional IT support requests are an administrative burden. Increased support does not pose the primary risk; the focus is on protecting sensitive information.

D) Slower mobile applications are an operational concern. Performance issues are minor compared to the potential for unauthorized data access or exfiltration.

Implementing and enforcing MDM policies for all devices ensures secure access, reduces the risk of data leaks, and maintains compliance. The most significant risk is exposure or loss of sensitive corporate data from unmanaged personal devices.

Question 71

During an audit, the IS auditor finds that network segmentation is not implemented. Which risk is MOST significant?

A) Network performance may degrade
B) Malware or attackers can move laterally across the network
C) IT staff may require more time to monitor the network
D) Users may experience intermittent connectivity

Answer: B)

Explanation

Malware or attackers moving laterally across the network is the most significant risk when network segmentation is not implemented. Network segmentation divides a network into smaller, isolated segments to contain threats, limit access to critical systems, and control traffic flow. Without segmentation, a compromise in one area of the network can quickly spread to other areas, including sensitive databases, applications, and operational systems.

A) Network performance degradation is an operational concern. While segmentation can impact routing or monitoring efficiency, it is less critical than the security risks posed by unrestricted network access.

B) Lateral movement by malware or attackers is a direct threat to confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Once a system is compromised, attackers can use it as a pivot point to access other critical systems, exfiltrate data, or install ransomware. For auditors, network segmentation is a critical control to prevent widespread impact from a single breach or malware infection. Without segmentation, an attack affecting a low-security area may escalate to compromise high-security systems, resulting in severe operational disruption, data loss, and reputational damage. Segmentation also enforces access control policies, reduces the attack surface, and helps in regulatory compliance.

C) Increased monitoring effort is an operational concern. While more staff time may be required to track unsegmented networks, it does not directly reduce the risk posed by potential breaches or lateral movement.

D) Intermittent connectivity is a minor inconvenience. Connectivity issues do not pose the same critical threat as unrestricted lateral movement, which can compromise multiple systems and sensitive data.

Proper network segmentation enforces isolation, limits attack propagation, and mitigates risks from compromised devices. The absence of segmentation makes lateral movement by malware or attackers the most significant risk.

Question 72

During an audit, the IS auditor finds that privileged user passwords are not changed regularly. Which risk is MOST significant?

A) Users may forget their passwords
B) Compromised accounts may go undetected and misused
C) IT staff may need to reset passwords more frequently
D) System login times may be slower

Answer: B)

Explanation

Compromised accounts going undetected and being misused is the most significant risk when privileged user passwords are not changed regularly. Privileged accounts provide elevated access to critical systems and sensitive data, making them high-value targets for attackers. Without regular password changes, stolen credentials can be used for extended periods, allowing unauthorized access, data theft, or system disruption.

A) Users forgetting passwords is an operational inconvenience. While it may impact productivity, it does not introduce significant security risk compared to potential account compromise.

B) Undetected misuse of compromised accounts is a direct threat to confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Attackers can exploit persistent access to modify configurations, steal sensitive information, or manipulate transactions. Regular password changes reduce exposure by limiting the window of opportunity for misuse. Auditors evaluate password management practices as a core security control to enforce account integrity and prevent prolonged exploitation of stolen credentials. Weak or unchanged passwords, particularly for privileged users, greatly increase the likelihood of undetected malicious activities, including internal fraud, cyberattacks, or regulatory non-compliance.

C) Frequent password resets requiring IT support is an administrative concern. While it may increase workload, it does not pose the same high-impact security risk as compromised privileged accounts.

D) Slower system login times are a minor operational issue. They do not directly threaten system security or data integrity.

Enforcing periodic password changes for privileged users, combined with strong authentication policies, ensures that accounts remain secure and unauthorized activities are minimized. The primary risk is prolonged undetected misuse of compromised privileged accounts.

Question 73

During an audit, the IS auditor finds that third-party vendors have unrestricted access to internal systems. Which risk is MOST significant?

A) Vendors may inadvertently cause system performance issues
B) Unauthorized access or data breaches by third parties
C) IT staff may spend more time coordinating with vendors
D) Vendor systems may experience minor downtime

Answer: B)

Explanation

Unauthorized access or data breaches by third parties is the most significant risk when vendors have unrestricted access to internal systems. Third-party access introduces additional attack surfaces and potential points of compromise. Vendors may have legitimate business needs but granting unrestricted access without proper controls, monitoring, or segmentation can lead to unauthorized activities, accidental disclosure, or malicious attacks.

A) System performance issues caused by vendors are operational concerns. While poor coordination or excessive activity may affect system efficiency, the security risk is far more significant.

B) Data breaches and unauthorized access represent a direct threat to confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Attackers may target vendor accounts to bypass internal security controls, steal sensitive information, or disrupt operations. Auditors assess third-party access as part of vendor risk management, emphasizing the need for least privilege, contractually defined responsibilities, monitoring, and access reviews. Lack of controls over vendor access significantly increases exposure to breaches and regulatory non-compliance, including GDPR, HIPAA, or financial reporting requirements. This risk is critical because third-party compromises can result in severe operational, financial, and reputational consequences, even if the internal network itself is secure.

C) Additional IT staff coordination is an operational burden. While time management may be affected, it does not mitigate the fundamental security risk posed by unrestricted vendor access.

D) Minor downtime of vendor systems is an operational inconvenience. It does not directly compromise the security or integrity of internal data or systems.

Enforcing least privilege, access monitoring, and contractual security obligations for vendors is essential to minimize risk. The most significant risk is unauthorized access or data breaches through third-party accounts.

Question 74

During an audit, the IS auditor finds that email attachments are not scanned for malware before delivery. Which risk is MOST significant?

A) Users may spend more time opening attachments
B) Malware infection could compromise internal systems
C) IT staff may need to reinstall software frequently
D) Email servers may experience higher storage usage

Answer: B)

Explanation

Malware infection compromising internal systems is the most significant risk when email attachments are not scanned before delivery. Email is a primary vector for malware distribution, including ransomware, trojans, and spyware. Unscanned attachments can introduce malicious code into corporate networks, resulting in data loss, service disruption, and unauthorized access.

A) Users spending more time opening attachments is an operational concern. While it may affect productivity, it does not present a direct threat to system security or data integrity.

B) Malware infection represents a direct threat to confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Malicious attachments can execute automatically, encrypt data, exfiltrate sensitive information, or propagate across networks. Auditors evaluate email security controls, including scanning attachments, sandboxing, and filtering, to prevent malware from entering the corporate environment. Unprotected email systems can lead to widespread operational disruption, regulatory non-compliance, and significant financial losses. The threat is heightened because email is commonly targeted by attackers using social engineering or phishing campaigns to entice users to open attachments. Failure to scan attachments eliminates a critical preventive control, making malware infection the most significant risk.

C) IT staff reinstalling software is an operational burden. While additional workload may increase, it does not constitute the primary security threat.

D) Higher storage usage on email servers is a minor operational issue. Storage inefficiency does not compromise system security or data integrity.

Scanning all attachments before delivery ensures malware is detected and blocked, reducing the risk of internal infections. The most significant risk is malware compromising internal systems and data.

Question 75

During an audit, the IS auditor finds that logging of failed login attempts is disabled on critical systems. Which risk is MOST significant?

A) Users may experience frustration when login fails
B) Unauthorized access attempts may go undetected
C) IT staff may spend more time resetting passwords
D) System performance may slightly improve

Answer: B)

Explanation

Undetected unauthorized access attempts are the most significant risk when failed login logging is disabled. Failed login attempts are crucial indicators of potential attacks, including brute-force attacks, credential guessing, or attempts by unauthorized users to gain access to sensitive systems. Logging these attempts enables detection, alerting, and timely mitigation of potential security incidents.

A) User frustration due to login failures is an operational inconvenience. While it may affect satisfaction, it does not pose a direct security threat.

B) Undetected access attempts represent a direct threat to confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Attackers may repeatedly attempt to guess passwords, exploit weak credentials, or leverage stolen accounts. Without logging, suspicious patterns go unnoticed, preventing timely intervention and increasing the likelihood of successful compromise. Auditors emphasize logging of failed attempts as a preventive and detective control, enabling incident response teams to identify potential attacks, block IP addresses, or enforce additional authentication measures. Disabling logging eliminates this early warning mechanism, significantly increasing the risk of security incidents.

C) IT staff resetting passwords more frequently is an operational burden. While it may increase support requirements, it is secondary to the risk of undetected unauthorized access.

D) Slight system performance improvement is a minor operational benefit. The trade-off is negligible compared to the risk posed by a lack of visibility into unauthorized login attempts.

Enabling and monitoring failed login logs is essential for detecting and responding to potential attacks. The most significant risk is unauthorized access attempts going undetected, leading to potential breaches of critical systems.

Question 76

During an audit, the IS auditor finds that sensitive data is transmitted over unencrypted wireless networks. Which risk is MOST significant?

A) Wireless performance may be reduced
B) Sensitive data may be intercepted by unauthorized individuals
C) Users may experience intermittent connectivity
D) IT staff may spend more time troubleshooting network issues

Answer: B)

Explanation

Sensitive data being intercepted by unauthorized individuals is the most significant risk when data is transmitted over unencrypted wireless networks. Wireless networks are inherently more vulnerable than wired networks because signals are broadcast through the air, making them accessible to anyone within range. Without encryption, data such as passwords, financial records, personal information, or proprietary corporate information can be intercepted and exploited by attackers.

A) Wireless performance reduction is an operational concern. While encryption may slightly affect throughput or latency, it does not represent a security threat. The main concern is protecting data confidentiality.

B) Interception of sensitive data is a direct threat to confidentiality and integrity. Attackers can perform man-in-the-middle attacks, eavesdrop on communications, or capture unencrypted packets to access sensitive information. Auditors emphasize the importance of using strong encryption protocols, such as WPA3, VPNs, or TLS, to protect data in transit. Unencrypted wireless transmissions expose organizations to regulatory violations, intellectual property theft, financial loss, and reputational damage. Encryption ensures that even if data packets are captured, the information remains unreadable to unauthorized parties. The risk is heightened in environments with public or semi-public wireless access, where attackers may easily intercept transmissions without physical access to internal systems.

C) Intermittent connectivity is a minor operational inconvenience. While unstable wireless signals may impact productivity, it is far less critical than the security risk of data interception.

D) IT staff spending additional time troubleshooting network issues is an administrative burden. Operational troubleshooting does not address the primary threat posed by unprotected transmissions of sensitive information.

Proper encryption of wireless communications is essential for protecting sensitive data. The most significant risk is the unauthorized interception of information, which could result in data breaches, regulatory violations, and compromised confidentiality.

Question 77

During an audit, the IS auditor finds that user accounts are not deactivated promptly when employees leave the organization. Which risk is MOST significant?

A) IT staff may spend extra time maintaining accounts
B) Former employees may access corporate systems
C) Users may be confused about login credentials
D) System performance may slightly degrade

Answer: B)

Explanation

Former employees accessing corporate systems is the most significant risk when user accounts are not deactivated promptly. Ex-employees may retain knowledge of credentials, security controls, or internal systems, making them capable of unauthorized access. Unused accounts also represent dormant attack vectors that can be exploited by external attackers if credentials are compromised.

A) IT staff spending extra time maintaining accounts is an administrative concern. While managing inactive accounts requires effort, the security risk is far more critical.

B) Access by former employees is a direct threat to confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Unauthorized access can result in data theft, system sabotage, fraudulent transactions, or exposure of sensitive information. Auditors focus on timely deactivation of accounts to enforce the principle of least privilege and ensure accountability. Dormant accounts can also serve as a means for attackers to gain initial access, bypassing internal security monitoring if the accounts remain active. Regulatory frameworks, such as SOX and GDPR, require strict control over access to sensitive data, making delayed deactivation a compliance concern as well. The failure to promptly disable accounts exposes organizations to high-impact incidents, including financial losses, reputational damage, and regulatory penalties.

C) User confusion about login credentials is an operational issue. While improper deactivation may cause minor inconvenience for active employees, it does not threaten system security.

D) Slight degradation in system performance is a minor operational concern. The main risk arises from unauthorized access by individuals who should no longer have system privileges.

Timely deactivation of accounts is a fundamental control for access management. The most significant risk is unauthorized access by former employees, which could compromise critical systems or sensitive data.

Question 78

During an audit, the IS auditor finds that critical systems do not have redundant power supplies. Which risk is MOST significant?

A) System performance may fluctuate
B) Critical systems may become unavailable during power failure
C) IT staff may spend additional time managing systems
D) Users may experience minor inconvenience

Answer: B)

Explanation

Critical systems becoming unavailable during a power failure is the most significant risk when redundant power supplies are not implemented. Redundant power systems, such as uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) or backup generators, ensure continuity of operations during outages or fluctuations. Critical systems, including servers, network devices, and databases, rely on uninterrupted power to maintain availability and prevent data corruption.

A) System performance fluctuations are an operational concern. While voltage instability may affect efficiency, the primary risk is operational downtime and service disruption.

B) System unavailability is a direct threat to availability, one of the core pillars of information security. Critical systems support business operations, financial transactions, customer service, and regulatory compliance. If systems lose power and no redundancy exists, operations may halt, causing lost revenue, operational inefficiencies, and reputational damage. Auditors evaluate power redundancy controls to ensure that critical functions remain operational even during outages. Lack of redundancy increases the risk of data loss, incomplete transactions, and inability to provide essential services, which can have far-reaching consequences. For example, in financial institutions, system downtime can lead to transaction errors and regulatory reporting issues. In healthcare, unavailable systems may directly impact patient safety.

C) IT staff spending additional time managing systems is an administrative concern. While downtime may require manual intervention or troubleshooting, the primary risk remains the unavailability of critical systems.

D) Minor user inconvenience is an operational issue. Although users may notice disruptions, the broader organizational impact of unavailable systems is the critical concern.

Implementing redundant power supplies and backup solutions is essential to maintain availability of critical systems. The most significant risk is operational unavailability during power failure, which can severely disrupt business continuity.

Question 79

During an audit, the IS auditor finds that patch management is inconsistent across servers. Which risk is MOST significant?

A) Server performance may be inconsistent
B) Unpatched vulnerabilities may be exploited by attackers
C) IT staff may spend extra time applying patches
D) Users may experience occasional service interruptions

Answer: B)

Explanation

Exploitation of unpatched vulnerabilities by attackers is the most significant risk when patch management is inconsistent. Patches are designed to fix software vulnerabilities, enhance security, and address functionality issues. Servers that are not consistently patched remain exposed to known security flaws, which attackers can exploit to gain unauthorized access, escalate privileges, or deploy malware.

A) Inconsistent server performance is an operational concern. While unpatched systems may affect stability or efficiency, it does not directly threaten security.

B) Exploitation of vulnerabilities is a direct threat to confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Cybercriminals actively scan for unpatched systems to exploit known vulnerabilities. Auditors evaluate patch management policies to ensure timely application of critical updates. Inconsistent patching introduces high-risk exposure because attackers can target the weakest or unpatched systems as entry points into the network. Successful exploitation can lead to data breaches, service disruption, ransomware infection, or regulatory non-compliance. Additionally, organizations may face reputational damage, financial losses, and legal liabilities if unpatched vulnerabilities are exploited. Inconsistent patching undermines trust in IT governance and compromises overall risk management practices.

C) IT staff spending additional time applying patches is an administrative concern. While increased workload is undesirable, it does not represent the high-impact security risk associated with unpatched vulnerabilities.

D) Occasional service interruptions are minor operational issues. While patching may temporarily impact availability, the critical risk lies in attackers exploiting vulnerabilities left unpatched.

Consistent and timely patch management is essential to protect servers against known vulnerabilities. The most significant risk is exploitation by attackers, which could lead to severe security incidents.

Question 80

During an audit, the IS auditor finds that endpoint devices do not enforce disk encryption. Which risk is MOST significant?

A) Device performance may be slightly affected
B) Sensitive corporate data may be exposed if devices are lost or stolen
C) IT staff may spend more time managing devices
D) Users may experience minor inconvenience

Answer: B)

Explanation

Sensitive corporate data being exposed if devices are lost or stolen is the most significant risk when endpoint devices do not enforce disk encryption. Laptops, mobile devices, and removable media often store critical information locally. Without encryption, physical loss or theft can lead to immediate exposure of corporate data, intellectual property, or personally identifiable information (PII).

A) Slight device performance impact is an operational concern. While encryption may marginally affect system speed, it is not as critical as potential data exposure.

B) Data exposure is a direct threat to confidentiality and regulatory compliance. If an unencrypted device is lost or stolen, sensitive information can be accessed without technical barriers. Auditors emphasize disk encryption as a preventive control for endpoint security. Encryption ensures that even if a device is physically compromised, the data remains unreadable without the encryption key. Failure to implement encryption increases vulnerability to data breaches, identity theft, financial loss, and regulatory penalties. In high-risk industries such as finance, healthcare, or defense, lack of encryption may violate regulatory requirements and contractual obligations. The potential impact of exposed data makes this the most critical risk associated with unencrypted endpoint devices.

C) IT staff managing devices is an administrative concern. While workload may increase due to lost devices, it does not address the fundamental risk of data exposure.

D) Minor user inconvenience is an operational concern. Although encryption may slightly alter device usability, the security implications of unprotected data far outweigh inconvenience.

Enforcing disk encryption is essential to protect sensitive corporate information on endpoint devices. The primary risk is exposure of data if devices are lost or stolen, which can result in severe organizational and regulatory consequences.