Isaca  CISA Certified Information Systems Auditor Exam  Dumps and Practice Test Questions Set 5 Q  81- 100

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Question 81

During an audit, the IS auditor finds that system configuration baselines are not maintained. Which risk is MOST significant?

A) IT staff may spend more time troubleshooting issues
B) Unauthorized or insecure configurations may go undetected
C) Users may experience inconsistent system interfaces
D) System backups may take longer

Answer: B)

Explanation

Unauthorized or insecure configurations going undetected is the most significant risk when system configuration baselines are not maintained. Configuration baselines serve as reference standards for system settings, software versions, and security parameters. They provide a controlled environment to ensure systems are configured securely and consistently according to organizational policies and industry best practices. Without baselines, deviations may occur, introducing vulnerabilities and operational risks.

A) IT staff spending extra time troubleshooting is an operational concern. While the absence of baselines may increase support workload, it does not directly expose the organization to security risks.

B) Undetected unauthorized or insecure configurations are a direct threat to confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Systems may be misconfigured with weak security settings, open ports, unnecessary services, or default credentials. Attackers can exploit these weaknesses to gain unauthorized access, deploy malware, or disrupt services. Auditors evaluate configuration baselines to ensure that all critical systems maintain a known secure state, and deviations are promptly identified and corrected. Without baselines, detecting misconfigurations becomes difficult, leaving systems exposed to threats such as privilege escalation, denial-of-service attacks, or data compromise. The lack of configuration control undermines IT governance, compliance, and risk management, particularly in regulated industries where adherence to security standards is mandatory. Undetected deviations may also lead to non-compliance with frameworks like ISO 27001, NIST, or CIS benchmarks, exposing organizations to legal and reputational risks.

C) Users experiencing inconsistent interfaces is an operational inconvenience. While it may affect productivity or user satisfaction, it does not pose a direct security threat.

D) Longer backup times are a minor operational concern. Backup performance is less critical compared to the risk of insecure configurations introducing vulnerabilities.

Maintaining configuration baselines is a foundational control for IT security, ensuring that all systems operate within approved parameters. The most significant risk is the undetected presence of insecure or unauthorized configurations, which can compromise organizational security.

Question 82

During an audit, the IS auditor finds that network intrusion detection systems (IDS) are not monitored continuously. Which risk is MOST significant?

A) Network traffic may experience minor delays
B) Security incidents may go undetected, resulting in breaches
C) IT staff may spend additional time analyzing traffic manually
D) Users may experience intermittent connectivity

Answer: B)

Explanation

Security incidents going undetected, resulting in breaches, is the most significant risk when network intrusion detection systems (IDS) are not monitored continuously. IDS solutions analyze network traffic to detect malicious activity, policy violations, or anomalies indicative of cyberattacks. Continuous monitoring ensures that suspicious behavior is identified in real-time and appropriate responses are initiated promptly.

A) Minor network delays are an operational concern. While monitoring traffic may introduce slight latency, it does not pose a security threat. The primary concern is incident detection.

B) Undetected security incidents are a direct threat to confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Without continuous monitoring, attacks such as unauthorized access attempts, malware propagation, or data exfiltration may occur without triggering alerts. Auditors emphasize the need for real-time IDS monitoring because timely detection is crucial for limiting damage, initiating incident response, and preserving evidence for forensic analysis. Gaps in monitoring can allow attackers to exploit vulnerabilities over extended periods, increasing the potential impact of breaches. Regulatory frameworks often require continuous monitoring of critical systems to ensure proactive threat detection and compliance with security standards. Continuous IDS monitoring also supports proactive threat intelligence integration, correlating alerts from multiple sources to identify sophisticated or coordinated attacks. The absence of monitoring undermines the overall security posture and increases organizational exposure to cyber threats, financial loss, and reputational damage.

C) IT staff manually analyzing traffic is an operational burden. While resource-intensive, manual analysis does not mitigate the critical risk of failing to detect ongoing security incidents in a timely manner.

D) Intermittent user connectivity is a minor operational inconvenience. The core security concern is the inability to detect malicious activity, not temporary connectivity issues.

Continuous monitoring of IDS is a critical control to detect and respond to potential cyber threats promptly. The most significant risk is that security incidents may go undetected, resulting in data breaches, operational disruption, and regulatory non-compliance.

Question 83

During an audit, the IS auditor finds that software licenses are not tracked consistently. Which risk is MOST significant?

A) Software installations may be delayed
B) The organization may face legal penalties for non-compliance
C) IT staff may spend additional time managing software
D) Users may experience minor inconveniences

Answer: B)

Explanation

Legal penalties for non-compliance are the most significant risk when software licenses are not tracked consistently. Organizations are legally required to maintain compliance with software licensing agreements. Failure to do so can result in fines, litigation, reputational damage, or software audits that disrupt operations.

A) Delayed software installations are an operational concern. While they may affect productivity, they do not pose a legal or financial risk.

B) Legal penalties and regulatory non-compliance are direct risks. If an organization uses software without proper licensing, it can face legal action, significant fines, and mandatory remedial measures. Auditors evaluate license management practices to ensure that all software is properly licensed, documented, and regularly reconciled against installations. Non-compliance with licensing agreements not only exposes the organization to financial penalties but can also impact vendor relationships, disrupt software usage, and lead to forced uninstallation of critical applications. In regulated industries, non-compliance can also attract scrutiny from auditors and regulators, affecting overall corporate governance credibility. Tracking licenses effectively ensures that the organization adheres to contractual obligations, avoids unnecessary costs, and maintains operational continuity.

C) Additional IT staff time managing software is an administrative burden. While resource usage may increase, it is not as critical as potential legal consequences.

D) Minor user inconveniences, such as delayed access to applications, are operational issues. These are insignificant compared to the potential financial and legal consequences of licensing violations.

Effective software license tracking is a legal and operational requirement. The most significant risk is non-compliance, which can result in substantial financial penalties and reputational damage.

Question 84

During an audit, the IS auditor finds that logs from critical systems are not retained according to organizational policy. Which risk is MOST significant?

A) IT staff may spend more time generating reports
B) Critical events may not be available for investigation, hindering forensic analysis
C) Users may experience delays in accessing systems
D) System performance may slightly improve

Answer: B)

Explanation

Critical events not being available for investigation, hindering forensic analysis, is the most significant risk when logs are not retained according to organizational policy. Logs provide an audit trail of system activity, user actions, and security events. Retention ensures that sufficient historical data is available for incident investigation, compliance audits, and forensic analysis in the event of a breach or operational failure.

A) IT staff spending more time generating reports is an operational concern. While increased workload may result from ad hoc reporting, it does not directly affect the ability to investigate incidents.

B) Incomplete or missing logs represent a direct threat to accountability, regulatory compliance, and security incident response. Without retained logs, auditors cannot verify system activity, investigate breaches, or support legal proceedings. Critical events, including unauthorized access attempts, configuration changes, or transaction anomalies, may be lost if logs are deleted prematurely. This compromises forensic investigations, obscures accountability, and can prevent identification of the root cause of incidents. Auditors assess log retention policies to ensure that retention periods align with business, regulatory, and legal requirements. Loss of historical logs reduces the organization’s ability to demonstrate compliance with frameworks like ISO 27001, SOX, HIPAA, or GDPR. Furthermore, the absence of logs can hinder internal investigations, delay remediation actions, and expose the organization to further risk from unaddressed security gaps. Retaining logs according to policy is essential for maintaining traceability, enabling audits, and supporting incident response effectively.

C) User delays accessing systems are operational issues. These are minor compared to the impact of missing audit trails.

D) Slight system performance improvement from reduced logging is operational and does not outweigh the critical importance of log retention for accountability and forensic purposes.

Maintaining logs according to policy ensures accountability, regulatory compliance, and effective incident response. The most significant risk is the inability to investigate critical events due to missing or insufficient logs.

Question 85

During an audit, the IS auditor finds that encryption keys for sensitive databases are stored on the same server as the data. Which risk is MOST significant?

A) Database performance may degrade slightly
B) Sensitive data may be easily decrypted if the server is compromised
C) IT staff may spend more time managing keys
D) Users may experience minor inconvenience accessing data

Answer: B)

Explanation

Sensitive data being easily decrypted if the server is compromised is the most significant risk when encryption keys are stored on the same server as the data. Encryption is intended to protect data confidentiality, but storing keys alongside the encrypted data nullifies the protective effect. If an attacker gains access to the server, they can retrieve both the encrypted data and the keys, effectively bypassing encryption controls.

A) Slight database performance degradation is an operational concern. While encryption and key management may affect system efficiency, this is minor compared to the risk of compromised data.

B) Easy decryption of sensitive data is a direct threat to confidentiality. Attackers gaining access to both the database and keys can decrypt sensitive information such as financial records, personal information, or intellectual property. Auditors emphasize proper key management practices, including storing keys separately from data, using hardware security modules (HSMs), and enforcing strict access controls. Improper key storage undermines encryption, rendering it ineffective as a protective control. Regulatory standards such as PCI DSS, HIPAA, and GDPR require secure key management practices to ensure that encryption achieves its intended security objectives. Exposure of encryption keys alongside data represents a critical control weakness, potentially leading to data breaches, legal penalties, and reputational damage.

C) Additional IT staff time managing keys is an operational concern. While proper key management may require more effort, the impact of inadequate key storage is far more severe.

D) Minor user inconvenience is negligible compared to the security implications of poorly managed encryption keys.

Effective key management separates keys from the data they protect, ensuring that encryption remains a valid control. The most significant risk is that sensitive data can be easily decrypted if both the server and keys are compromised.

Question 86

During an audit, the IS auditor finds that mobile devices accessing corporate email are not configured with remote wipe capabilities. Which risk is MOST significant?

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

Answer: B)

Explanation

Sensitive corporate data being exposed if mobile devices are lost or stolen is the most significant risk when remote wipe capabilities are not configured. Mobile devices often contain email, attachments, corporate contacts, and sensitive documents. Without the ability to remotely erase data, any lost or stolen device can result in immediate exposure of confidential information.

A) Slight device performance degradation is an operational concern. While implementing remote wipe solutions may affect device responsiveness minimally, it does not pose a direct security threat compared to potential data exposure.

B) Exposure of sensitive corporate data is a direct threat to confidentiality, integrity, and regulatory compliance. Attackers or unauthorized individuals can access corporate emails, sensitive attachments, credentials, and proprietary information stored locally on the device. Auditors focus on remote wipe capabilities as a critical control in mobile device management (MDM) strategies. Implementing remote wipe ensures that data can be securely erased, mitigating the risk of data breaches. The absence of this control is particularly critical in BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) environments, where personal devices may have varying security postures. Additionally, failure to implement remote wipe may violate regulatory requirements, such as GDPR or HIPAA, that mandate protection of sensitive information. The potential consequences include reputational damage, legal liabilities, and financial loss resulting from unauthorized disclosure of corporate information.

C) IT staff spending additional time manually deleting data is an administrative burden. While manual deletion may reduce exposure after the fact, it is reactive and cannot match the speed or effectiveness of automated remote wipe capabilities.

D) Minor user inconvenience is negligible compared to the high-impact risk of sensitive data exposure. The security of corporate information significantly outweighs the inconvenience associated with remote wipe procedures.

Properly configured remote wipe capabilities are essential for mobile security, ensuring that sensitive corporate data remains protected in case of device loss or theft. The most significant risk is exposure of confidential information to unauthorized parties.

Question 87

During an audit, the IS auditor finds that network firewalls are not reviewed periodically for rule accuracy. Which risk is MOST significant?

A) Network performance may be slightly impacted
B) Unauthorized network traffic may bypass security controls
C) IT staff may spend more time troubleshooting connectivity issues
D) Users may experience intermittent connectivity

Answer: B)

Explanation

Unauthorized network traffic bypassing security controls is the most significant risk when firewalls are not periodically reviewed for rule accuracy. Firewalls enforce security policies by allowing or blocking network traffic based on predefined rules. Over time, firewall rules may become outdated, redundant, or misconfigured, potentially creating gaps in network security.

A) Slight network performance impact is an operational concern. While large rule sets or inefficient configurations may affect throughput or latency, this does not pose the critical security risk associated with unreviewed firewall rules.

B) Bypassing security controls is a direct threat to confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Incorrect, redundant, or overly permissive firewall rules can allow malicious traffic to enter or sensitive data to leave the network without detection. Auditors emphasize periodic firewall reviews to ensure rules align with current security policies, block unnecessary traffic, and prevent unauthorized access. Over time, rules may accumulate due to business changes, temporary exceptions, or system upgrades, creating hidden vulnerabilities. Without regular review, attackers can exploit weak or misconfigured rules to gain access to internal systems, exfiltrate data, or launch attacks such as malware propagation or denial-of-service. Regular audits and rule optimization also support compliance with regulatory standards like PCI DSS, ISO 27001, and NIST, which require controlled network access and continuous monitoring of security devices. The risk of unauthorized traffic bypassing firewall rules is critical because it can compromise multiple layers of security, enabling both external and internal threats to reach sensitive assets.

C) IT staff spending more time troubleshooting connectivity is an operational issue. While misconfigured rules may impact network usability, it does not represent the high-impact security threat posed by unauthorized access or data exfiltration.

D) Users experiencing intermittent connectivity is a minor operational inconvenience. The primary risk stems from security exposures, not temporary disruptions.

Periodic firewall rule reviews are a vital control to maintain network security and prevent unauthorized access. The most significant risk is unauthorized network traffic bypassing firewall protections, potentially compromising critical systems and data.

Question 88

During an audit, the IS auditor finds that sensitive files are not classified and labeled according to organizational policy. Which risk is MOST significant?

A) Users may be confused about file handling
B) Confidential information may be inadvertently disclosed
C) IT staff may spend more time organizing files
D) Storage usage may be inefficient

Answer: B)

Explanation

Confidential information being inadvertently disclosed is the most significant risk when sensitive files are not classified and labeled according to policy. Data classification identifies the sensitivity and criticality of information and determines appropriate handling, access control, and protection measures. Without classification, files containing confidential information may be stored, transmitted, or shared without proper safeguards.

A) User confusion about file handling is an operational concern. While misclassification may lead to errors or inefficiencies, the primary security risk is the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information.

B) Inadvertent disclosure of confidential information is a direct threat to confidentiality and regulatory compliance. Mismanaged files can result in sensitive financial data, personal identifiable information, intellectual property, or strategic documents being accessed by unauthorized individuals. Auditors focus on classification as a foundational control to enforce access restrictions, encryption, and secure disposal procedures. Inadequate labeling increases the likelihood that sensitive information is handled improperly, shared outside the organization, or exposed during system migrations or backups. Regulatory frameworks such as GDPR, HIPAA, and SOX require organizations to protect sensitive information and ensure proper handling practices. Failure to implement classification and labeling policies not only increases the risk of data breaches but also affects accountability, auditing, and the organization’s ability to respond effectively to security incidents. The potential consequences include legal penalties, financial loss, reputational damage, and operational disruptions.

C) IT staff spending more time organizing files is an administrative burden. While inefficient management may increase workload, it does not pose the high-impact security risk associated with improper data handling.

D) Inefficient storage usage is an operational concern. Although proper classification may improve storage efficiency, the critical risk remains unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information.

Implementing robust data classification and labeling policies ensures appropriate handling and protection of sensitive information. The most significant risk is inadvertent disclosure, which can lead to severe security, legal, and financial consequences.

Question 89

During an audit, the IS auditor finds that system backups are performed but not periodically tested for recovery. Which risk is MOST significant?

A) Backup storage costs may increase
B) Critical systems may not be recoverable during an incident
C) IT staff may spend more time managing backups
D) Users may experience minor downtime

Answer: B)

Explanation

Critical systems not being recoverable during an incident is the most significant risk when backups are not tested for recovery. Performing backups is insufficient if recovery procedures are not validated. Testing ensures that backup data is complete, accessible, and usable in case of system failure, ransomware attack, or data corruption.

A) Backup storage costs are an operational concern. While costs may be higher depending on backup strategy, financial expenditure is minor compared to the inability to restore systems.

B) Lack of recoverability is a direct threat to availability and business continuity. Without tested backups, organizations cannot guarantee the restoration of critical systems or data, leading to prolonged downtime, operational disruptions, and potential financial losses. Auditors assess backup testing to ensure that disaster recovery plans are effective and aligned with organizational recovery objectives. Unverified backups may be corrupted, incomplete, or incompatible with current systems, making restoration impossible when needed most. The inability to recover systems affects transaction integrity, regulatory compliance, and customer service. For instance, in financial institutions, failure to restore systems may disrupt transactions and reporting, while in healthcare, unavailability of patient records can compromise patient safety. Testing backups also validates recovery procedures, personnel readiness, and system dependencies, providing assurance that backup strategies are functional. The absence of recovery testing leaves organizations vulnerable to significant operational, financial, and reputational impact.

C) IT staff spending additional time managing backups is an operational concern. While testing may require resources, the critical risk is operational failure due to unrecoverable systems.

D) Minor user downtime is an operational inconvenience. The primary concern is the inability to restore critical systems, which can lead to major business disruption.

Regular testing of system backups ensures that recovery procedures are reliable. The most significant risk is that critical systems cannot be restored during incidents, potentially leading to severe operational and financial consequences.

Question 90

During an audit, the IS auditor finds that access to privileged accounts is not logged and monitored. Which risk is MOST significant?

A) Users may experience delays logging in
B) Unauthorized activities may go undetected, causing data breaches or fraud
C) IT staff may spend more time managing accounts
D) System performance may slightly improve

Answer: B)

Explanation

Unauthorized activities going undetected, causing data breaches or fraud, is the most significant risk when privileged account access is not logged and monitored. Privileged accounts have elevated permissions that allow configuration changes, access to sensitive data, or system-wide actions. Without logging and monitoring, misuse, mistakes, or attacks may occur without detection.

A) User login delays are an operational concern. While logging may slightly affect response times, it does not compare to the risk of undetected misuse of privileged accounts.

B) Undetected unauthorized activities are a direct threat to confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Privileged accounts provide powerful capabilities that can be exploited to manipulate systems, exfiltrate data, or commit fraud. Auditors evaluate the logging of privileged activities to ensure accountability, detect potential misuse, and support forensic investigations. Without monitoring, attackers or malicious insiders may make unauthorized changes or steal sensitive information without triggering alerts, increasing the risk of extended exposure. Regulatory requirements and security best practices emphasize logging and monitoring of privileged access to detect anomalies, enforce accountability, and mitigate insider threats. The absence of these controls undermines organizational security posture, increases the likelihood of data breaches, and hampers incident response.

C) IT staff spending more time managing accounts is an administrative concern. Additional workload is secondary to the critical risk of undetected privileged misuse.

D) Slight system performance improvement is an operational advantage but negligible compared to the security implications of unmonitored privileged access.

Monitoring and logging privileged accounts is essential for accountability and early detection of misuse. The most significant risk is unauthorized activity that may result in data breaches, fraud, or operational disruption.

Question 91

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

A) Users may experience minor delays during login
B) Remote access accounts may be compromised by attackers
C) IT staff may spend more time assisting users with login issues
D) System performance may be slightly impacted

Answer: B)

Explanation

Remote access accounts being compromised by attackers is the most significant risk when multi-factor authentication (MFA) is not enforced for critical systems. MFA is a security control requiring users to present multiple credentials—such as a password and a one-time token—to authenticate their identity. By adding an additional layer beyond passwords, MFA significantly reduces the likelihood of unauthorized access due to stolen or weak credentials.

A) Minor delays during login are an operational concern. While MFA may slightly increase the time required for authentication, it is negligible compared to the risk of account compromise.

B) Compromised remote access accounts represent a direct threat to confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Without MFA, attackers can leverage phishing attacks, credential stuffing, or brute-force methods to gain access to critical systems. Remote access is a particularly high-risk entry point because it bypasses perimeter protections and exposes the system to external threats. Auditors evaluate MFA implementation as a key control to protect sensitive systems, prevent unauthorized access, and strengthen identity verification. The absence of MFA increases exposure to cyberattacks, including data breaches, system manipulation, and ransomware deployment. Regulatory frameworks such as PCI DSS, NIST, and ISO 27001 emphasize the importance of MFA for securing remote access. Attackers gaining access without MFA can escalate privileges, exfiltrate data, or disrupt operations. This control is especially critical in remote work environments, cloud systems, and applications containing sensitive information.

C) IT staff assisting users with login issues is an operational burden. While MFA can increase support workload, it is secondary to the high-risk exposure caused by compromised remote accounts.

D) Slight system performance impact is operational. While MFA may slightly affect login systems, the security benefit far outweighs any minor performance trade-off.

Implementing MFA for remote access ensures that critical systems remain protected even if credentials are compromised. The most significant risk is unauthorized access to sensitive systems by attackers.

Question 92

During an audit, the IS auditor finds that change management procedures are not followed consistently for production systems. Which risk is MOST significant?

A) System performance may be temporarily affected
B) Unauthorized or unintended changes may disrupt business operations
C) IT staff may spend more time coordinating changes
D) Users may experience minor inconvenience

Answer: B)

Explanation

Unauthorized or unintended changes disrupting business operations is the most significant risk when change management procedures are not consistently followed. Change management establishes a structured process for requesting, reviewing, approving, testing, and implementing changes in production systems. This control ensures that changes are properly evaluated for impact, security, and compliance before deployment.

A) Temporary performance impacts are operational concerns. While system performance may fluctuate during changes, the real risk is operational disruption caused by uncontrolled modifications.

B) Unauthorized or unintended changes are a direct threat to availability, integrity, and sometimes confidentiality. Without proper change management, untested changes can introduce errors, misconfigurations, or vulnerabilities, potentially leading to system downtime, data corruption, or security incidents. Auditors evaluate adherence to change management policies to ensure that all changes follow approved processes and are documented. Inconsistent adherence may allow unauthorized personnel to implement changes, bypassing critical reviews and testing. This increases the risk of service interruptions, operational failures, or breaches. Regulatory frameworks, including SOX and ISO 27001, require effective change control procedures to maintain system reliability, integrity, and accountability. The lack of a structured change management process can also hinder incident response and forensic analysis if problems arise, making it difficult to trace the origin of errors or malicious activity. Unmanaged changes can impact business continuity, customer satisfaction, and organizational reputation.

C) IT staff spending more time coordinating changes is an operational issue. While additional effort may be needed for proper process adherence, this does not represent the critical risk of uncontrolled changes.

D) Minor inconvenience for users is an operational concern. Although end-users may experience brief disruptions, uncontrolled changes may result in prolonged downtime or data integrity issues, which is the primary risk.

Effective change management ensures controlled, tested, and documented modifications to production systems. The most significant risk is that unauthorized or unintended changes may disrupt operations and compromise system integrity.

Question 93

During an audit, the IS auditor finds that physical access to the data center is not restricted to authorized personnel. Which risk is MOST significant?

A) Users may experience minor delays entering the facility
B) Unauthorized individuals may access critical systems and data
C) IT staff may spend more time monitoring entry
D) Environmental controls may operate less efficiently

Answer: B)

Explanation

Unauthorized individuals accessing critical systems and data is the most significant risk when physical access to the data center is not restricted. Data centers house servers, storage devices, networking equipment, and other infrastructure that support organizational operations. Physical security is a foundational control to prevent tampering, theft, or sabotage.

A) Minor delays for users entering the facility is an operational concern. While inconvenient, it is insignificant compared to the security threat posed by unrestricted access.

B) Unauthorized access to systems and data represents a direct threat to confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Individuals with physical access can steal hardware, copy data, plant malware, or disrupt services. Auditors assess physical security measures, including badge access, biometric controls, surveillance, and visitor logs, to ensure only authorized personnel enter sensitive areas. Lack of access control can result in insider threats or exploitation by attackers who gain physical entry. Physical compromise often bypasses technical controls and allows direct manipulation of critical infrastructure, increasing the severity of potential incidents. Regulatory requirements, such as PCI DSS and HIPAA, mandate strong physical controls to safeguard sensitive data. The absence of physical access restrictions exposes the organization to theft of intellectual property, data breaches, and operational disruptions.

C) IT staff monitoring access is an operational concern. While additional personnel may be required to maintain security, the critical risk remains unauthorized access to systems.

D) Environmental controls operating less efficiently is an operational issue. Although HVAC and power systems are important, their efficiency is secondary to the threat posed by unrestricted physical access.

Restricting physical access to data centers is essential to protect critical infrastructure and sensitive information. The most significant risk is unauthorized individuals compromising systems or data.

Question 94

During an audit, the IS auditor finds that sensitive data is stored on personal cloud storage accounts by employees. Which risk is MOST significant?

A) Employees may forget where the files are stored
B) Sensitive data may be exposed to unauthorized parties
C) IT staff may spend more time locating files
D) Users may experience minor inconvenience accessing data

Answer: B)

Explanation

Sensitive data being exposed to unauthorized parties is the most significant risk when employees store it on personal cloud accounts. Personal cloud services often lack corporate security controls, monitoring, and encryption, creating opportunities for data leakage.

A) Employees forgetting file locations is an operational concern. While inconvenient, it does not pose a security threat.

B) Exposure to unauthorized parties is a direct threat to confidentiality and regulatory compliance. Data stored on personal cloud accounts may be accessed by unauthorized users, cloud service personnel, or compromised via weak passwords and insufficient controls. Auditors evaluate data handling policies, including restrictions on personal cloud storage, encryption, and access control. Unauthorized cloud storage increases the likelihood of accidental disclosure, compliance violations, and reputational damage. Regulatory frameworks like GDPR, HIPAA, and SOX require proper handling and protection of sensitive data, making personal cloud storage a critical control gap. Breaches can result from misconfigured permissions, phishing attacks, or cloud service vulnerabilities. The risk is amplified by lack of monitoring, making it difficult to detect or respond to incidents promptly.

C) IT staff spending more time locating files is an operational burden. While searching for data may be time-consuming, it does not address the primary threat of unauthorized access.

D) Minor user inconvenience is insignificant compared to the security impact of sensitive data exposure.

Enforcing corporate storage policies and preventing the use of personal cloud accounts for sensitive data is critical. The most significant risk is unauthorized exposure of confidential information.

Question 95

During an audit, the IS auditor finds that security awareness training is not provided to employees regularly. Which risk is MOST significant?

A) Employees may forget their login credentials
B) Employees may fall victim to phishing or social engineering attacks
C) IT staff may spend more time assisting users
D) Users may experience minor inconvenience during training sessions

Answer: B)

Explanation

Employees falling victim to phishing or social engineering attacks is the most significant risk when security awareness training is not provided regularly. Human error is one of the leading causes of security breaches, and social engineering exploits employees’ lack of awareness to gain unauthorized access or sensitive information.

A) Forgetting login credentials is an operational concern. While inconvenient, it does not pose the security risk associated with social engineering attacks.

B) Falling victim to phishing or social engineering is a direct threat to confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Untrained employees may inadvertently disclose credentials, download malware, or provide unauthorized access. Auditors evaluate the effectiveness of security awareness programs, including frequency, content, and employee engagement, to ensure staff are equipped to recognize and respond to security threats. Regular training reinforces best practices for password management, email handling, data protection, and incident reporting. The absence of training increases susceptibility to cyberattacks, insider threats, and fraud. Security incidents caused by human error can result in significant financial loss, reputational damage, regulatory penalties, and operational disruption. Social engineering attacks can bypass technical controls, making human awareness critical for organizational security.

C) IT staff assisting users is an operational burden. While support may increase due to untrained users, the primary risk remains security breaches caused by human error.

D) Minor inconvenience during training sessions is operational. The benefit of improved security awareness far outweighs any temporary inconvenience.

Providing regular, comprehensive security awareness training is essential to reduce human-related risks. The most significant risk is employees falling victim to phishing or social engineering attacks, potentially leading to severe security incidents.

Question 96

During an audit, the IS auditor finds that database activity is not logged or monitored. Which risk is MOST significant?

A) Database performance may degrade slightly
B) Unauthorized or suspicious activities may go undetected
C) IT staff may spend more time troubleshooting database issues
D) Users may experience minor inconvenience

Answer: B)

Explanation

Unauthorized or suspicious activities going undetected is the most significant risk when database activity is not logged or monitored. Databases often store sensitive organizational data such as financial records, customer information, intellectual property, and regulatory reporting data. Logging database activities, including user actions, queries, and configuration changes, is a critical control for detecting misuse, malicious actions, or errors that could compromise data integrity and confidentiality.

A) Slight database performance degradation is an operational concern. While enabling extensive logging may introduce minimal performance impact, it is far less critical than the risk posed by unmonitored activities.

B) Undetected unauthorized activities pose a direct threat to confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Without logs, auditors cannot trace unauthorized access, determine the origin of security incidents, or verify that data manipulations were authorized. Monitoring database activity is crucial for detecting suspicious behavior, such as privilege escalation, unauthorized queries, or exfiltration attempts. Auditors emphasize the importance of database logging for compliance with regulatory frameworks like SOX, GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS. Lack of monitoring increases the likelihood that insider threats or external attackers can compromise sensitive data without detection, potentially resulting in data breaches, fraud, or operational disruptions. Comprehensive logging and monitoring also facilitate forensic investigations, enabling organizations to reconstruct events, identify vulnerabilities, and improve security measures. Failure to implement these controls undermines accountability, increases legal and regulatory risk, and erodes organizational trust.

C) IT staff spending more time troubleshooting databases is an operational burden. While managing logs may require effort, it does not address the critical risk associated with undetected security incidents.

D) Minor user inconvenience is an operational concern. While end-users may notice slight delays or system alerts, the more significant threat is unmonitored database activity potentially leading to breaches or data loss.

Logging and monitoring database activity is a foundational control to ensure the security and integrity of critical data. The most significant risk is that unauthorized or suspicious activities may go undetected, causing severe organizational and regulatory consequences.

Question 97

During an audit, the IS auditor finds that security patches are applied inconsistently to network devices. Which risk is MOST significant?

A) Network performance may be slightly impacted
B) Exploitable vulnerabilities may remain, allowing attacks
C) IT staff may spend more time patching devices
D) Users may experience occasional connectivity issues

Answer: B)

Explanation

Exploitable vulnerabilities remaining unpatched is the most significant risk when security patches are applied inconsistently to network devices. Routers, switches, firewalls, and other network components are critical for controlling traffic, enforcing policies, and protecting organizational systems. Unpatched devices can contain known vulnerabilities that attackers actively exploit to gain unauthorized access, disrupt services, or exfiltrate data.

A) Slight network performance impact is an operational concern. While unpatched devices may cause minor inefficiencies, this is negligible compared to the risk of security compromise.

B) Exploitable vulnerabilities represent a direct threat to confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Attackers often scan networks for devices with known vulnerabilities, leveraging unpatched systems to bypass security controls. Auditors evaluate patch management practices for network devices to ensure timely updates, prioritizing critical vulnerabilities based on risk impact. Inconsistent patching exposes the network to malware, ransomware, man-in-the-middle attacks, and denial-of-service events. Regulatory frameworks such as ISO 27001, NIST, and PCI DSS require that critical systems are maintained with up-to-date security patches. Failure to patch network devices undermines the overall security posture, allowing attackers to infiltrate networks, disrupt operations, and access sensitive information. Inconsistent patching also complicates incident response, making it harder to determine whether exploited vulnerabilities contributed to breaches or operational failures. Organizations with lax patching practices face increased likelihood of regulatory penalties, financial loss, and reputational damage.

C) IT staff spending more time patching is an administrative burden. While patch management requires resources, the operational and security risk posed by unpatched vulnerabilities is far more critical.

D) Users experiencing occasional connectivity issues is a minor operational concern. The primary risk remains the potential exploitation of unpatched network devices, which can lead to significant security incidents.

Timely and consistent patching of network devices is essential to protect organizational networks. The most significant risk is that unpatched vulnerabilities may be exploited by attackers, compromising security and business continuity.

Question 98

During an audit, the IS auditor finds that audit trails are not protected against unauthorized modification. Which risk is MOST significant?

A) Users may experience delays accessing audit information
B) Audit trails may be altered, compromising forensic investigations
C) IT staff may spend more time reviewing logs
D) System storage may fill up faster

Answer: B)

Explanation

Audit trails being altered, compromising forensic investigations, is the most significant risk when logs are not protected against unauthorized modification. Audit trails provide a historical record of system events, user actions, and security incidents. Their integrity is crucial for accountability, regulatory compliance, and forensic analysis in case of breaches or operational failures.

A) Delays in accessing audit information is an operational concern. While it may affect efficiency, it does not pose a security or compliance risk.

B) Altered audit trails pose a direct threat to accountability, forensic capability, and regulatory compliance. Unauthorized modification of logs can prevent organizations from identifying the source of incidents, tracking changes, or proving adherence to policies and regulations. Auditors assess controls that protect logs from tampering, such as write-once media, digital signatures, encryption, and access restrictions. Without protection, attackers can cover their tracks, making it impossible to reconstruct events or identify malicious activities. This compromises incident response, accountability, and the organization’s ability to demonstrate compliance with standards like SOX, PCI DSS, HIPAA, or ISO 27001. The risk is heightened if logs are relied upon for financial reporting, regulatory submissions, or internal investigations. Altered audit trails undermine trust in IT controls, complicate investigations, and may allow ongoing malicious activities to go undetected. Organizations with unprotected logs are more vulnerable to insider threats, data breaches, and regulatory penalties.

C) IT staff spending more time reviewing logs is an operational concern. While additional effort may be required to ensure log accuracy, it does not mitigate the risk posed by tampered audit trails.

D) Increased storage usage is operational. While protecting audit trails may require additional storage, this concern is minor compared to the impact of compromised logs on security and compliance.

Protecting audit trails is essential for ensuring accountability, supporting forensic analysis, and maintaining regulatory compliance. The most significant risk is that audit trails may be altered, making it impossible to investigate incidents or verify compliance effectively.

Question 99

During an audit, the IS auditor finds that default passwords on network devices are not changed. Which risk is MOST significant?

A) Network devices may operate less efficiently
B) Unauthorized individuals may gain administrative access to devices
C) IT staff may spend more time troubleshooting connectivity issues
D) Users may experience minor inconvenience

Answer: B)

Explanation

Unauthorized individuals gaining administrative access is the most significant risk when default passwords on network devices are not changed. Network devices such as routers, switches, and firewalls often ship with default credentials that are publicly documented. Attackers can exploit these known credentials to gain complete control over devices, manipulate configurations, intercept traffic, or disrupt services.

A) Reduced device efficiency is an operational concern. While poorly configured devices may operate suboptimally, this is far less critical than the risk of unauthorized access.

B) Administrative access through default passwords is a direct threat to confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Attackers with administrative access can bypass security controls, modify network configurations, exfiltrate data, deploy malware, or cause outages. Auditors evaluate password management policies, including the requirement to change default credentials, enforce strong passwords, and implement access controls. Failure to change default passwords represents a fundamental security weakness that is widely recognized as an entry point for cyberattacks. Exploitation can lead to extensive operational disruption, compromise of sensitive data, and financial or reputational losses. Regulatory standards, including ISO 27001, NIST, and PCI DSS, require organizations to manage privileged credentials securely. Neglecting this control exposes the organization to high-impact security incidents that could have been prevented by simple administrative measures.

C) IT staff spending more time troubleshooting is an operational burden. While misconfigurations may increase workload, it does not address the primary risk of unauthorized administrative access.

D) Minor user inconvenience is an operational issue. The security threat of unmodified default passwords far outweighs temporary inconveniences for users.

Changing default passwords on network devices is a basic yet critical security control. The most significant risk is that unauthorized individuals may gain administrative access, potentially compromising the entire network infrastructure.

Question 100

During an audit, the IS auditor finds that security policies are not communicated to employees effectively. Which risk is MOST significant?

A) Employees may fail to follow security procedures, increasing risk of incidents
B) IT staff may spend more time enforcing policies
C) Users may experience minor inconvenience
D) System performance may be slightly impacted

Answer: A)

Explanation

Employees failing to follow security procedures, increasing the risk of incidents, is the most significant risk when security policies are not effectively communicated. Security policies define acceptable behavior, system usage, access controls, data protection measures, and incident reporting requirements. Lack of communication leads to ignorance of controls and increases the likelihood of policy violations.

A) Non-compliance with security procedures represents a direct threat to confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Employees unaware of proper procedures may mishandle sensitive data, fall victim to phishing attacks, use weak passwords, or bypass security controls. Auditors evaluate policy communication and awareness programs to ensure employees understand responsibilities and adhere to organizational standards. Poor communication undermines the effectiveness of technical controls, increases human error, and facilitates insider threats or accidental breaches. Regulatory frameworks such as HIPAA, SOX, GDPR, and PCI DSS require documented policies and employee awareness as part of compliance obligations. Ineffective communication can result in unintentional violations, creating opportunities for attackers, regulatory penalties, and reputational damage. Awareness programs, training sessions, and ongoing reinforcement are critical to ensure employees follow established procedures and contribute to the overall security posture.

B) IT staff spending more time enforcing policies is an operational concern. While increased monitoring may occur, the primary risk lies in employees’ unintentional non-compliance and resulting incidents.

C) Minor user inconvenience is operational. While policy adherence may require some effort, the risk of incidents from policy non-compliance is far more critical.

D) Slight system performance impact is negligible. Technical systems may operate normally, but human behavior can significantly affect security outcomes.

Effective communication and training on security policies are essential for reducing human-related risks. The most significant risk is employees failing to follow procedures, leading to increased likelihood of security incidents, breaches, or compliance violations.