Isaca CISM Certified Information Security Manager Exam Dumps and Practice Test Questions Set 2 Q21-40

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Question 21

An organization is planning to implement a unified identity and access management (IAM) system to improve security and compliance. The CISM is asked to define the strategy for deployment. Which approach should the CISM prioritize?

A) Conduct a comprehensive assessment of user roles, access requirements, and regulatory obligations before implementing IAM
B) Deploy IAM immediately to all systems without assessment
C) Allow each department to manage identities independently without central oversight
D) Rely solely on username/password authentication without additional controls

Answer: Conduct a comprehensive assessment of user roles, access requirements, and regulatory obligations before implementing IAM

Explanation:

Implementing an effective identity and access management (IAM) program requires a structured approach that aligns with business objectives, regulatory requirements, and risk management principles. The CISM’s role is to ensure that the organization understands the user base, the access each role requires, and the controls necessary to protect sensitive information.

The first step is a comprehensive assessment of current identities, roles, privileges, and access points across all systems. This includes evaluating compliance obligations, such as GDPR, HIPAA, or SOX, to determine what access control and monitoring mechanisms are required. Classification of users and data helps define granular policies, such as role-based access control (RBAC), least privilege, and segregation of duties (SoD).

Deploying IAM immediately without assessment (Option B) risks misconfiguration, granting excessive access, or violating compliance regulations. Allowing departments to manage identities independently (Option C) creates inconsistency, increases the risk of unauthorized access, and complicates audits. Relying solely on usernames and passwords (Option D) provides minimal security, ignoring modern threats like phishing, credential reuse, and compromised accounts.

Once the assessment is complete, IAM implementation involves selecting a platform that supports authentication methods (e.g., MFA), single sign-on (SSO), audit logging, and reporting. Policies are defined for provisioning, de-provisioning, and periodic access reviews. Integration with HR and other business systems ensures timely updates to account privileges as employees join, transfer, or leave the organization.

Monitoring and auditing are essential. IAM systems generate logs that enable the detection of anomalous access patterns, policy violations, or unauthorized attempts. Regular review of access rights ensures compliance, reduces risk, and supports regulatory reporting. The CISM also ensures staff training and awareness regarding the proper use of IAM tools, including secure password management and MFA practices.

By prioritizing a comprehensive assessment before deployment, the organization ensures that IAM implementation is effective, reduces exposure to insider and external threats, enhances compliance, and supports business operations. This aligns with CISM’s governance, risk management, and program development responsibilities, providing strategic oversight while improving operational security.

Question 22

A company’s cloud infrastructure has experienced multiple misconfigurations that exposed sensitive data. The CISM is asked to recommend a preventive strategy. Which action should the CISM prioritize?

A) Implement a continuous cloud configuration management and monitoring program with automated alerts for deviations
B) Rely solely on manual audits performed annually
C) Assume that the cloud provider’s default security settings are sufficient
D) Block all users from making configuration changes

Answer: Implement a continuous cloud configuration management and monitoring program with automated alerts for deviations

Explanation:

Cloud misconfigurations are a common source of data exposure, affecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive information. The CISM must implement a proactive, continuous monitoring strategy that enforces secure configurations, detects deviations, and provides timely alerts. Continuous configuration monitoring allows organizations to identify unauthorized or risky changes in real time, reducing exposure to misconfigurations that could lead to data breaches or compliance violations.

Relying on manual audits (Option B) is inadequate because configurations can chafrequentlyentl,y, and risks may remain undetected for months. Assuming default cloud provider settings are sufficient (Option C) is risky, as cloud defaults often prioritize usability over security. Blocking all configuration changes (Option D) is operationally impractical, restricting legitimate business needs and potentially slowing innovation.

The preventive strategy begins with defining secure baseline configurations aligned with industry standards (CIS benchmarks, NIST, ISO 27017). Automated tools compare real-time configurations against the baseline, triggering alerts for non-compliance. Key areas include identity and access management, encryption, network security groups, storage permissions, and logging configurations.

Integration with incident response ensures that deviations are addressed promptly. Automated remediation can be deployed for high-risk misconfigurations, reducing the need for manual intervention. Policies and procedures are documented to guide responsible change management, ensuring that only authorized personnel make configuration changes after proper review and approval.

The CISM also emphasizes periodic training for administrators to reinforce secure practices, highlighting the risks associated with misconfiguration. Reporting metrics provide visibility to management and stakeholders, demonstrating improvements in security posture and compliance adherence.

By implementing continuous configuration monitoring with automated alerts, the organization maintains security and compliance in a dynamic cloud environment, aligns with CISM risk management and governance objectives, reduces operational errors, and proactively mitigates potential exposure of sensitive data.

Question 23

An organization wants to improve its business continuity and disaster recovery (BC/DR) capabilities after experiencing extended downtime due to a ransomware attack. The CISM is asked to provide guidance. Which approach should the CISM prioritize?

A) Develop a comprehensive BC/DR strategy with prioritized business processes, backup solutions, and regular testing
B) Focus solely on endpoint antivirus updates
C) Document plans without testing or validation
D) Rely only on cloud provider redundancy without internal planning

Answer: Develop a comprehensive BC/DR strategy with prioritized business processes, backup solutions, and regular testing

Explanation:

Business continuity and disaster recovery are critical for maintaining operations and protecting organizational assets during disruptions such as ransomware attacks. The CISM ensures that the BC/DR strategy identifies critical processes, defines recovery objectives, and provides actionable steps to restore operations effectively.

The first step is to perform a business impact analysis (BIA), identifying critical systems, applications, and dependencies. Recovery time objectives (RTOs) and recovery point objectives (RPOs) are established to guide prioritization. Based on these, backup solutions are implemented, including off-site or immutable backups to protect against ransomware encryption.

Regular testing of BC/DR plans ensures readiness, validates procedures, and uncovers gaps in resources, personnel, or technology. Tabletop exercises, simulation drills, and full-scale recovery tests provide confidence that recovery objectives can be met under real-world conditions.

Focusing only on antivirus updates (Option B) addresses preventive measures but does not ensure operational recovery. Documenting plans without testing (Option C) may create a false sense of security. Relying solely on cloud provider redundancy (Option D) is insufficient, as it does not address on-premises dependencies, organizational processes, or personnel readiness.

The CISM also ensures integration with incident response, communication plans, and regulatory requirements. Policies define responsibilities, escalation procedures, and coordination with external stakeholders. Continuous improvement is achieved by incorporating lessons learned from testing, incidents, and evolving threats.

By developing a comprehensive BC/DR strategy with prioritized processes, backup solutions, and regular testing, the organization enhances resilience, reduces operational downtime, protects critical assets, and aligns with CISM governance, risk management, and program development objectives.

Question 24

An organization is implementing a new security metrics program to measure information security effectiveness. The CISM is asked to define meaningful metrics. Which approach should the CISM prioritize?

A) Align metrics with business objectives, including key performance indicators (KPIs), key risk indicators (KRIs), and trends over time
B) Count only the number of security incidents without context
C) Focus solely on technical metrics without considering business impact
D) Avoid reporting metrics to senior management

Answer: Align metrics with business objectives, including key performance indicators (KPIs), key risk indicators (KRIs), and trends over time

Explanation:

Effective security metrics provide actionable insight into the organization’s risk posture, control effectiveness, and alignment with business objectives. The CISM ensures that metrics reflect both technical performance and business impact, enabling informed decision-making and demonstrating the value of the security program.

KPIs measure operational effectiveness, such as mean time to detect/respond, patch compliance, and access review completion. KRIs measure risk exposure and trends, such as attempted breaches, unpatched vulnerabilities, and non-compliance events. Trends over time help identify improvement, emerging threats, or areas requiring investment.

Counting only incidents (Option B) provides limited insight, while focusing solely on technical metrics (Option C) ignores business relevance. Avoiding reporting (Option D) limits visibility and reduces management confidence in the security program.

Metrics should be actionable, measurable, and tied to business objectives. Reporting dashboards to executives provides context, trends, and comparisons against benchmarks or historical performance. Integration with governance processes, audit requirements, and risk management ensures that metrics inform decisions, resource allocation, and program adjustments.

The CISM ensures continuous refinement of metrics to reflect evolving threats, organizational priorities, and regulatory requirements. By prioritizing business-aligned metrics, the organization can demonstrate the effectiveness of security initiatives, measure value delivery, and maintain oversight consistent with CISM governance and risk management domains.

Question 25

A company is planning to implement a formal risk management program for information security. The CISM is asked to guide the initial steps. Which approach should the CISM prioritize?

A) Identify critical information assets, assess threats and vulnerabilities, and evaluate potential business impact
B) Purchase security tools immediately without risk analysis
C) Focus only on compliance requirements without assessing risk
D) Assign risk management responsibilities ad hoc without structure

Answer: Identify critical information assets, assess threats and vulnerabilities, and evaluate potential business impact

Explanation:

A formal information security risk management program begins with understanding the organization’s assets, their value, and the threats that may affect them. The CISM ensures that risks are identified, quantified, and prioritized based on potential business impact, enabling informed decisions regarding controls, investments, and governance.

The first step is asset identification, including systems, applications, data, and infrastructure. Next, threats and vulnerabilities are assessed to understand how they could compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Potential business impacts, such as financial loss, reputational damage, or regulatory penalties, are evaluated to prioritize risk mitigation.

Purchasing tools without risk analysis (Option B) may address symptoms but not root causes. Focusing only on compliance (Option C) neglects broader enterprise risk. Assigning responsibilities without structure (Option D) creates confusion, inconsistent processes, and accountability gaps.

The CISM ensures that risk assessment results are documented, communicated to management, and integrated with governance, policy, and controls. Metrics are defined for monitoring and reporting risk exposure, mitigation effectiveness, and program maturity. Continuous risk assessment ensures that the organization adapts to emerging threats, evolving business processes, and changing regulatory requirements.

By prioritizing asset identification, threat/vulnerability assessment, and business impact evaluation, the organization establishes a solid foundation for an enterprise-wide risk management program that aligns with CISM principles, supports strategic objectives, and enhances resilience.

Question 26

An organization is implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) to reduce the risk of compromised credentials. The CISM is asked to ensure the program aligns with security best practices and business requirements. Which approach should the CISM prioritize?

A) Integrate MFA with critical systems, enforce strong authentication methods, and provide user training on secure usage
B) Require MFA only for non-critical systems
C) Implement MFA without considering user experience or operational impact
D) Rely solely on passwords and assume MFA is optional

Answer: Integrate MFA with critical systems, enforce strong authentication methods, and provide user training on secure usage

Explanation:

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a critical control for mitigating credential-based threats, such as phishing, password reuse, and brute force attacks. The CISM ensures that MFA is implemented strategically, focusing on critical systems, while balancing security and usability. Critical systems include financial applications, administrative interfaces, cloud platforms, and systems storing sensitive or regulated information.

Effective MFA implementation requires selecting strong authentication factors, such as one-time passwords, biometric verification, hardware tokens, or push notifications. The factors should be resistant to compromise and combined in a way that prevents unauthorized access even if one factor is breached. Integration should be seamless with existing identity and access management systems to ensure consistency and maintain audit trails.

User education is essential. Employees must understand MFA processes, recognize phishing attempts, and report issues without circumventing security controls. Training ensures that MFA adoption is successful and that users do not create insecure workarounds.

Requiring MFA only for non-critical systems (Option B) misallocates security resources and leaves critical systems exposed. Implementing MFA without considering user experience (Option C) may result in low adoption, workarounds, or operational inefficiencies. Relying solely on passwords (Option D) fails to address the most common vectors for credential compromise.

The CISM oversees monitoring and reporting MFA adoption rates, failed authentication attempts, and security incidents related to credentials. Continuous evaluation ensures that emerging threats, such as SIM swapping or token interception, are addressed. MFA implementation aligns with governance, risk management, and compliance objectives, demonstrating proactive measures to protect information assets while maintaining operational efficiency.

By prioritizing integration with critical systems, enforcing strong authentication, and providing user training, the organization enhances its security posture, reduces the likelihood of breaches, and aligns with CISM best practices for identity and access management.

Question 27

A healthcare organization is subject to HIPAA regulations and must ensure patient data is adequately protected. The CISM is asked to recommend a secure data transfer solution. Which approach should the CISM prioritize?

A) Use encryption for data in transit, implement secure VPNs or TLS/SSL protocols, and enforce access controls
B) Transfer patient data over unsecured email to speed workflow
C) Rely solely on endpoint antivirus software to protect transferred data
D) Allow unrestricted access to data during transfers to reduce operational friction

Answer: Use encryption for data in transit, implement secure VPNs or TLS/SSL protocols, and enforce access controls

Explanation:

Protecting sensitive healthcare data during transmission is a regulatory requirement under HIPAA, which mandates safeguards for confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronic protected health information (ePHI). The CISM ensures that all data transfer methods employ appropriate encryption, such as TLS/SSL for web-based transfers or secure VPN tunnels for internal and external communications.

Access controls restrict who can initiate and receive data transfers, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access sensitive patient information. Logging and monitoring of transfers provide auditability and support compliance reporting. Additional measures, such as file integrity verification and secure email gateways, enhance protection.

Transferring data over unsecured email (Option B) exposes ePHI to interception and regulatory violations. Relying solely on antivirus software (Option C) does not protect data during transit and does not prevent unauthorized access or interception. Allowing unrestricted access (Option D) increases the risk of accidental or intentional exposure, violating HIPAA requirements.

The CISM also ensures that third-party service providers involved in data transfers comply with HIPAA security and privacy rules, including Business Associate Agreements (BAAs). Regular assessments, monitoring, and employee training on secure handling of ePHI reinforce compliance.

By prioritizing encryption, secure protocols, and access controls, the organization safeguards patient data, reduces the risk of breaches, ensures regulatory compliance, and aligns with CISM responsibilities for risk management, governance, and program implementation.

Question 28

A company wants to strengthen its vulnerability management program after experiencing multiple breaches due to unpatched systems. The CISM is asked to provide guidance. Which approach should the CISM prioritize?

A) Implement a structured vulnerability management program, including asset inventory, prioritization, scanning, remediation, and monitoring
B) Perform vulnerability scans only once a year
C) Rely solely on endpoint antivirus software to detect vulnerabilities
D) Address vulnerabilities only after incidents occur

Answer: Implement a structured vulnerability management program, including asset inventory, prioritization, scanning, remediation, and monitoring

Explanation:

A structured vulnerability management program is essential for proactively identifying and mitigating weaknesses that could be exploited by attackers. The CISM ensures that all assets are inventoried and classified according to criticality, business impact, and exposure to threats. Prioritization is based on risk assessment, focusing remediation efforts on high-risk vulnerabilities.

Automated vulnerability scanning identifies misconfigurations, outdated software, and known vulnerabilities. Remediation plans are documented and tracked to closure, while continuous monitoring ensures that new vulnerabilities are detected promptly. Reporting and metrics allow management to assess program effectiveness and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

Performing scans only annually (Option B) leaves systems exposed for long periods. Relying solely on antivirus software (Option C) provides minimal protection, as many vulnerabilities are unrelated to malware. Addressing vulnerabilities only after incidents (Option D) is reactive, increasing the likelihood of breaches and operational impact.

The CISM ensures integration of vulnerability management with patch management, configuration management, and change management processes. Metrics such as time-to-remediate vulnerabilities, patch compliance, and repeat incidents provide insight into program effectiveness. Continuous improvement is achieved through periodic risk assessments, threat intelligence integration, and testing.

By prioritizing a structured, risk-based vulnerability management program, the organization reduces exposure, enhances resilience, aligns with CISM governance objectives, and demonstrates proactive risk management to stakeholders.

Question 29

A company experiences frequent unauthorized access to sensitive systems due to weak privilege management. The CISM is asked to recommend a corrective approach. Which action should the CISM prioritize?

A) Implement role-based access control (RBAC), enforce least privilege, and conduct regular access reviews
B) Grant all users administrative privileges to simplify management
C) Rely solely on passwords without additional controls
D) Audit access only during annual financial reviews

Answer: Implement role-based access control (RBAC), enforce least privilege, and conduct regular access reviews

Explanation:

Privilege management is critical for protecting sensitive information and maintaining regulatory compliance. RBAC ensures that users are granted access based on their roles, aligning permissions with business responsibilities. The principle of least privilege reduces exposure by limiting access to only what is necessary to perform assigned duties.

Regular access reviews detect orphaned accounts, excessive privileges, or unauthorized changes, enabling corrective action. Monitoring and logging of privileged activity provide accountability and support audit requirements.

Granting all users administrative privileges (Option B) dramatically increases the risk of insider threats, accidental misuse, and compliance violations. Relying solely on passwords (Option C) is insufficient, as weak or compromised credentials can be exploited. Auditing access only annually (Option D) leaves organizations exposed for long periods.

The CISM ensures integration of privilege management with IAM, monitoring, and governance frameworks. Periodic metrics, reporting, and exception handling improve security awareness and demonstrate compliance with regulatory standards. This approach mitigates operational risk, reduces potential breaches, and aligns with CISM responsibilities for governance, risk management, and control implementation.

Question 30

A financial organization is planning to implement a Security Operations Center (SOC) to improve threat detection and incident response. The CISM is asked to provide guidance. Which approach should the CISM prioritize?

A) Define SOC objectives, integrate monitoring tools, establish incident response processes, and ensure alignment with business priorities
B) Focus solely on deploying SIEM technology without process or staffing considerations
C) Operate the SOC only during business hours without alerting or escalation processes
D) Rely entirely on third-party SOC services without internal governance

Answer: Define SOC objectives, integrate monitoring tools, establish incident response processes, and ensure alignment with business priorities

Explanation:

A SOC provides centralized visibility into security events, enabling proactive threat detection and coordinated incident response. The CISM ensures that the SOC aligns with business objectives, risk appetite, and regulatory obligations. SOC objectives include real-time monitoring, threat intelligence integration, incident triage, escalation, and reporting.

Monitoring tools, such as SIEM, endpoint detection and response (EDR), intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS), and network traffic analysis, are integrated to provide a holistic view of the threat landscape. Incident response procedures define roles, responsibilities, and escalation paths, ensuring timely and effective mitigation.

Focusing solely on technology (Option B) ignores critical processes, staffing, and governance, which are essential for SOC effectiveness. Operating only during business hours (Option C) leaves significant periods unmonitored, increasing risk exposure. Relying entirely on third-party SOC services (Option D) without internal governance can reduce control and visibility over incidents.

The CISM ensures that the SOC is staffed, trained, and continuously improved through metrics, performance reporting, and lessons learned from incidents. Integration with governance, risk management, and compliance frameworks ensures alignment with strategic objectives and organizational risk posture.

By prioritizing objectives, tool integration, incident response processes, and alignment with business priorities, the SOC enhances organizational resilience, reduces detection and response times, and supports CISM’s mandate to protect critical information assets.

Question 31

A company’s board requires assurance that information security investments provide measurable value and mitigate risks. The CISM is asked to develop an effective reporting framework. Which approach should the CISM prioritize?

A) Develop a governance and metrics framework that ties security initiatives to business objectives, including KPIs, KRIs, and trend analysis
B) Report only the number of security incidents without context
C) Focus solely on technical controls without linking to business impact
D) Avoid reporting metrics to executives to prevent concern

Answer: Develop a governance and metrics framework that ties security initiatives to business objectives, including KPIs, KRIs, and trend analysis

Explanation:

Executive reporting must demonstrate how information security initiatives protect business value and reduce risk. The CISM ensures that security metrics are aligned with organizational goals and framed in terms that executives understand. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) assess the effectiveness of controls, such as incident response time, patching compliance, and system uptime. Key Risk Indicators (KRIs) provide insight into exposure, such as the number of high-severity vulnerabilities or attempted breaches. Trend analysis reveals improvements or emerging risks over time.

Reporting only incidents (Option B) is reactive and provides limited insight. Focusing only on technical controls (Option C) may not resonate with executives who prioritize business outcomes. Avoiding reporting (Option D) reduces visibility, impeding informed decision-making and accountability.

The framework should define the frequency, format, and audience for reporting. Dashboards and executive summaries should highlight trends, successes, and areas needing improvement. Integration with risk management ensures alignment with enterprise risk appetite, regulatory compliance, and internal audit requirements.

By connecting metrics to business objectives, the CISM ensures executives understand security value, supports resource allocation, and enhances organizational resilience. This approach strengthens governance, enables risk-informed decisions, and demonstrates measurable return on security investments.

Question 32

A company has experienced repeated data breaches due to employees sharing sensitive information via unsecured collaboration tools. The CISM is asked to recommend mitigations. Which approach should the CISM prioritize?

A) Implement data loss prevention (DLP) technologies, enforce secure collaboration platforms, and train employees on secure data handling
B) Block all collaboration tools without providing alternatives
C) Rely solely on antivirus software to prevent leaks
D) Per the sharing of sensitive data freely to maintain workflow

Answer: Implement data loss prevention (DLP) technologies, enforce secure collaboration platforms, and train employees on secure data handling

Explanation:

Mitigating data leakage requires technical, administrative, and educational controls. DLP technologies monitor and control the movement of sensitive information across networks, endpoints, and cloud environments. Integration with secure collaboration platforms ensures that only authorized access and sharing occur, with encryption applied when needed.

Employee training reinforces policies, highlighting acceptable use, consequences of violations, and best practices for handling sensitive data. This reduces accidental breaches and encourages a culture of security awareness.

Blocking all collaboration tools (Option B) hinders productivity and may encourage circumvention. Relying solely on antivirus software (Option C) is insufficient because it does not control the intentional or accidental sharing of data. Allowing free sharing (Option D) exposes sensitive data, regulatory violations, and reputational risk.

The CISM ensures continuous monitoring, logging, and reporting to management and integrates DLP alerts with incident response processes. Policy enforcement, combined with technical controls and user education, ensures regulatory compliance, reduces insider risk, and strengthens organizational security posture.

By prioritizing DLP, secure platforms, and training, the organization prevents data breaches, protects critical information assets, aligns with CISM principles, and maintains operational efficiency.

Question 33

A financial institution is planning to implement cloud services for critical applications. The CISM is asked to ensure that cloud adoption does not increase risk exposure. Which approach should the CISM prioritize?

A) Conduct a cloud risk assessment, including vendor security posture, compliance alignment, data classification, and contractual obligations
B) Assume the cloud provider handles all security responsibilities
C) Migrate critical applications without evaluating risks
D) Focus only on cost and performance metrics

Answer: Conduct a cloud risk assessment, including vendor security posture, compliance alignment, data classification, and contractual obligations

Explanation:

Cloud adoption introduces new risks, such as data breaches, regulatory non-compliance, misconfigurations, and vendor dependencies. The CISM ensures that a structured risk assessment evaluates these factors before deployment. Vendor security posture includes certifications (ISO 27001, SOC 2), history of breaches, and patch management practices. Compliance alignment ensures adherence to industry regulations, such as GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI DSS.

Data classification identifies which information can reside in the cloud, determines protection requirements, and guides encryption and access controls. Contracts should include security, privacy, incident notification, audit rights, and SLAs, defining the vendor’s responsibilities and liabilities.

Assuming the provider manages all security (Option B) r, risks gaps in shared responsibility models. Migrating applications without evaluation (Option C) exposes the organization to operational, financial, and reputational risks. Focusing solely on cost and performance (Option D) ignores security and compliance obligations.

The CISM integrates the cloud risk assessment with enterprise risk management, IAM, and incident response strategies. Monitoring and reporting mechanisms are defined to maintain visibility and control over cloud-hosted applications.

By prioritizing a comprehensive cloud risk assessment, the organization reduces potential breaches, ensures regulatory compliance, and aligns cloud adoption with strategic objectives, fulfilling CISM governance and risk management responsibilities.

Question 34

An organization is experiencing frequent phishing attacks that successfully compromise employee credentials. The CISM is asked to improve resilience. Which approach should the CISM prioritize?

A) Implement continuous phishing simulations, targeted awareness training, MFA, and incident response procedures
B) Rely solely on email filtering without user training
C) Punish employees for clicking links without additional controls
D) Ignore phishing threats as rare events

Answer: Implement continuous phishing simulations, targeted awareness training, MFA, and incident response procedures

Explanation:

Phishing remains one of the most common attack vectors. The CISM ensures a layered approach to improve success rates and organizational impact. Continuous phishing simulations test employee awareness in realistic scenarios, providing measurable data on susceptibility.

Targeted awareness training reinforces proper handling of suspicious emails and links, with role-specific instruction for high-risk groups. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) reduces the risk of credential compromise by requiring additional verification factors.

Incident response procedures ensure that compromised accounts are detected, contained, and remediated quickly to minimize operational impact. Integration with IAM and monitoring ensures rapid alerts and coordinated response.

Relying solely on email filtering (Option B) cannot prevent employees from engaging with sophisticated phishing attacks. Punishing employees (Option C) does not improve knowledge or prevention. Ignoring phishing (Option D) leaves the organization exposed to breaches, ransomware, and data loss.

By combining simulations, training, MFA, and response processes, the organization strengthens human and technical defenses, reduces risk, and aligns with CISM principles of risk management, governance, and security program effectiveness.

Question 35

A company wants to implement a formal incident response program to handle security events efficiently. The CISM is asked to define priorities. Which approach should the CISM adopt?

A) Develop a structured incident response plan with roles, responsibilities, escalation procedures, communication protocols, and testing
B) Handle incidents ad hoc without formal documentation
C) Focus only on technical containment without communication or governance
D) Outsource incident response entirely without internal oversight

Answer: Develop a structured incident response plan with roles, responsibilities, escalation procedures, communication protocols, and testing

Explanation:

A formal incident response program ensures that security events are addressed consistently, efficiently, and in alignment with organizational priorities. The CISM ensures that responsibilities are clearly defined for incident identification, containment, eradication, recovery, and post-incident analysis. Escalation procedures prioritize events according to impact and severity, while communication protocols ensure timely notification to management, legal, regulatory bodies, and affected stakeholders.

Testing through tabletop exercises, simulations, and full-scale drills validates the plan, identifies gaps, and reinforces readiness. Documentation ensures accountability, compliance with regulations, and continuous improvement through lessons learned.

Ad hoc handling (Option B) creates inconsistencies, delays, and increased risk of data loss or reputational damage. Focusing only on technical containment (Option C) ignores governance, stakeholder communication, and compliance obligations. Outsourcing entirely without oversight (Option D) reduces organizational visibility, accountability and may introduce additional risks.

The CISM integrates incident response with monitoring, threat intelligence, and risk management frameworks to ensure proactive identification, rapid response, and post-incident learning. A structured program enhances resilience, supports business continuity, and fulfills CISM responsibilities in governance, risk management, and program development.

Question 36

An organization is planning to implement a centralized logging and monitoring system to improve the detection of security events. The CISM is asked to ensure the system is effective and aligned with business objectives. Which approach should the CISM prioritize?

A) Define monitoring requirements based on critical business processes, regulatory obligations, and risk exposure; implement centralized logging with alerting, correlation, and reporting
B) Log only network traffic without context or analysis
C) Rely solely on endpoint antivirus logs
D) Ignore monitoring for non-critical systems

Answer: Define monitoring requirements based on critical business processes, regulatory obligations, and risk exposure; implement centralized logging with alerting, correlation, and reporting

Explanation:

Centralized logging and monitoring a core components of an effective security program, providing visibility into the organization’s IT environment, detecting anomalies, and supporting incident response. The CISM ensures that the monitoring system is aligned with critical business processes and compliance requirements, capturing relevant events from networks, servers, applications, and endpoints.

Logs are correlated to identify patterns, potential attacks, or policy violations. Alerts are prioritized according to severity and business impact, enabling rapid response to critical events. Reporting supports oversight, compliance audits, and management decision-making.

Logging only network traffic (Option B) provides partial visibility and misses application, user, or endpoint activity. Relying solely on endpoint antivirus logs (Option C) limits detection capabilities to malware-related events, ignoring broader threats. Ignoring non-critical systems (Option D) may overlook attacks that propagate through less critical areas into core systems.

The CISM also ensures retention policies, secure log storage, and protection from tampering. Periodic reviews and metrics validate monitoring effectiveness. Integration with incident response, threat intelligence, and risk management frameworks ensures that alerts are actionable, aligned with organizational priorities, and support continuous improvement.

By prioritizing centralized, business-aligned logging with correlation and reporting, the organization enhances threat detection, compliance, and operational resilience and aligns with CISM responsibilities for governance, risk management, and program oversight.

Question 37

A company is planning to implement a formal risk acceptance program for low-impact security risks. The CISM is asked to define the criteria for acceptance. Which approach should the CISM prioritize?

A) Define risk thresholds based on business impact, likelihood, regulatory requirements, and residual risk; document risk acceptance and obtain management approval
B) Accept all risks without evaluation
C) Ignore regulatory obligations when accepting risk
D) Rely on individual employees to decide on risk acceptance

Answer: Define risk thresholds based on business impact, likelihood, regulatory requirements, and residual risk; document risk acceptance and obtain management approval

Explanation:

Risk acceptance is a legitimate approach for handling low-impact or residual risks, but it must be governed by formal criteria to ensure accountability and alignment with organizational objectives. The CISM ensures that each risk is evaluated for potential business impact, likelihood of occurrence, and regulatory obligations. Accepting risk requires documentation, including rationale, residual exposure, and the authority approving the decision.

Accepting risks without evaluation (Option B) exposes the organization to unexpected losses, compliance violations, and operational disruptions. Ignoring regulatory obligations (Option C) may result in fines, penalties, or legal liability. Leaving decisions to individual employees (Option D) creates inconsistency and accountability gaps.

A formal risk acceptance program integrates with enterprise risk management, governance processes, and internal audit. Metrics track accepted risks, review cycles, and changes in the threat landscape. Periodic reassessment ensures that accepted risks remain within defined thresholds.

By prioritizing structured risk acceptance with documented approvals, the organization manages residual risks effectively, maintains compliance, supports decision-making, and demonstrates governance aligned with CISM principles.

Question 38

An organization is evaluating its third-party vendors for cybersecurity risk. The CISM is asked to define a vendor risk assessment framework. Which approach should the CISM prioritize?

A) Assess vendor security posture, compliance, contractual obligations, data handling practices, and perform ongoing monitoring
B) Assume all vendors maintain adequate security without verification
C) Evaluate only financial stability without considering security
D) Limit assessments to vendors handling non-critical data

Answer: Assess vendor security posture, compliance, contractual obligations, data handling practices, and perform ongoing monitoring

Explanation:

Third-party risk management is critical because vendors can introduce vulnerabilities into the organization’s ecosystem. The CISM ensures that vendor assessments address technical security, regulatory compliance, data protection practices, and contractual agreements specifying security responsibilities.

Ongoing monitoring of vendor performance, audit reports, penetration test results, and compliance certifications ensures that risk exposure remains controlled. Integration with procurement, legal, and compliance functions ensures alignment with organizational policies and risk appetite.

Assuming adequate security without verification (Option B) exposes the organization to unmitigated risks. Evaluating only financial stability (Option C) ignores cybersecurity threats that could disrupt operations or result in data breaches. Limiting assessments to vendors handling non-critical data (Option D) ignores risks in the critical supply chain or cloud services.

Metrics track high-risk vendors, remediation progress, and compliance status. Documenting findings and obtaining executive oversight ensures accountability. By prioritizing comprehensive assessments and continuous monitoring, the organization strengthens resilience, ensures compliance, and aligns vendor management with CISM governance and risk management objectives.

Question 39

A company experiences frequent business disruptions due to insufficient security awareness among employees. The CISM is asked to improve the program. Which approach should the CISM prioritize?

A) Implement role-based security training, conduct simulations, measure performance, and integrate feedback for continuous improvement
B) Provide generic annual training without assessment
C) Focus solely on technical controls, ignoring human factors
D) Punish employees for mistakes without providing guidance

Answer: Implement role-based security training, conduct simulations, measure performance, and integrate feedback for continuous improvement

Explanation:

Security awareness programs reduce human-related risks, such as phishing, social engineering, and misconfigurations. The CISM ensures that training is tailored to specific roles, responsibilities, and risk exposure, making content relevant and actionable. High-risk roles such as IT administrators, finance staff, or executives may receive more intensive or specialized training.

Simulations, such as phishing tests or social engineering exercises, provide practical experience and measurable outcomes. Metrics assess employee engagement, test performance, and identify areas needing improvement. Feedback loops ensure that the program evolves to address emerging threats and gaps.

Generic annual training (Option B) may not engage employees or improve behavior. Focusing solely on technical controls (Option C) ignores human risk, which is often the most exploited vector. Punishing employees without guidance (Option D) is counterproductive and may create fear rather than security awareness.

By implementing role-based training, practical exercises, performance measurement, and continuous improvement, the organization strengthens its human firewall, reduces risk exposure, and aligns with CISM responsibilities in risk management, governance, and program development.

Question 40

A company is planning to implement endpoint detection and response (EDR) across its organization. The CISM is asked to ensure its effectiveness. Which approach should the CISM prioritize?

A) Deploy EDR solutions with centralized monitoring, integrate with incident response processes, and define alert prioritization and remediation procedures
B) Install EDR agents without monitoring or alerting
C) Rely solely on traditional antivirus software
D) Ignore alerts from EDR to reduce operational noise

Answer: Deploy EDR solutions with centralized monitoring, integrate with incident response processes, and define alert prioritization and remediation procedures

Explanation:

EDR solutions provide advanced detection, monitoring, and response capabilities for endpoints. The CISM ensures that EDR is deployed with centralized management, alerting, and integration with incident response workflows. This allows for timely detection of malware, suspicious behavior, and policy violations.

Alert prioritization ensures that critical events are addressed promptly, reducing the risk of operational impact. Integration with incident response processes ensures containment, investigation, and remediation are conducted consistently and efficiently. Metrics, reporting, and continuous tuning improve program effectiveness.

Installing EDR without monitoring (Option B) leaves alerts unmanaged and defeats the purpose of the solution. Relying solely on antivirus software (Option C) limits detection to known malware and ignores behavioral threats. Ignoring alerts (Option D) allows threats to persist, increasing the likelihood of compromise.

By deploying EDR with monitoring, integration, and structured response, the organization strengthens endpoint security, reduces dwell time for threats, improves operational resilience, and fulfills CISM responsibilities for risk management and security program oversight.