Isaca CISM Certified Information Security Manager Exam Dumps and Practice Test Questions Set 4 Q61-80

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Question 61

An organization is planning to implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) across all remote access systems. The CISM is asked to ensure proper risk mitigation. Which approach should the CISM prioritize?

A) Implement MFA for all remote access, enforce strong policies, integrate with identity management, and monitor authentication events
B) Require MFA only for executive accounts
C) Rely solely on passwords for authentication
D) Allow users to choose whether to enable MFA

Answer: Implement MFA for all remote access, enforce strong policies, integrate with identity management, and monitor authentication events

Explanation:

Multi-factor authentication adds a layer of security beyond passwords, reducing the risk of account compromise due to phishing, credential reuse, or brute-force attacks. The CISM ensures that MFA implementation aligns with risk management and business objectives.

Deploying MFA for all remote access ensures consistent protection across the organization. Integration with identity and access management (IAM) centralizes authentication control and simplifies policy enforcement. Monitoring authentication events detects anomalies, such as repeated failures or logins from unusual locations, which may indicate attempted compromise.

Limiting MFA to executive accounts (Option B) leaves the majority of users vulnerable. Relying solely on passwords (Option C) exposes the organization to credential-based attacks. Allowing users to choose MFA (Option D) risks inconsistent adoption and weak security.

The CISM ensures that MFA aligns with governance and compliance requirements. Metrics track adoption rates, failed attempts, and account compromise attempts. Continuous review incorporates threat intelligence, emerging MFA technologies, and regulatory obligations.

By implementing organization-wide Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) with centralized IAM integration, monitoring, and enforcement, the organization significantly enhances its overall security posture. MFA adds an essential additional layer of protection beyond passwords, reducing the likelihood that compromised credentials can be used to gain unauthorized access. Because credential theft remains one of the most common causes of breaches, enforcing MFA across all user accounts—including administrators, developers, contractors, and third-party integrations—directly lowers the probability and impact of account compromise events.

Integrating MFA with IAM governance controls ensures consistent identity management practices across the organization. IAM policies can be used to enforce MFA requirements, govern access levels, apply least privilege, and automate remediation actions when non-compliant accounts are detected. Continuous monitoring of MFA enrollment, usage patterns, and authentication events enables security teams to identify anomalies, detect risky login attempts, and rapidly respond to potential threats.

From a compliance perspective, enterprise-wide MFA implementation helps the organization meet mandatory security requirements found in common frameworks such as ISO 27001, NIST CSF, CIS Controls, SOC 2, and HIPAA. Many regulatory audits explicitly require strong authentication mechanisms to protect sensitive systems and data. Enabling MFA simplifies audit readiness by providing verifiable, centralized evidence of identity security controls.

Most importantly, this initiative aligns directly with CISM responsibilities, which emphasize risk management, governance, and ensuring that security controls support business objectives. By reducing access-related risks, enforcing policy-driven oversight, and strengthening identity governance, MFA becomes a foundational control that supports broader enterprise security strategy. This demonstrates effective risk reduction, improved operational resilience, and adherence to mature governance practices expected from CISM-level leadership.

Question 62

A healthcare company is implementing cloud-based electronic health record (EHR) systems. The CISM is asked to ensure confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Which approach should the CISM prioritize?

A) Conduct risk assessments, define security requirements, implement encryption, access controls, monitoring, and compliance with HIPAA regulations
B) Rely solely on the cloud provider’s default security settings
C) Focus only on data backup without access controls
D) Ignore regulatory requirements to speed deployment

Answer: Conduct risk assessments, define security requirements, implement encryption, access controls, monitoring, and compliance with HIPAA regulations

Explanation:

Cloud EHR systems store sensitive patient data and must comply with HIPAA and other regulations. The CISM ensures a risk-based, structured approach that balances security and business needs.

Risk assessments identify potential threats and vulnerabilities. Security requirements, including encryption at rest and in transit, access controls, monitoring, and auditing, ensure protection of confidentiality and integrity. Compliance with HIPAA ensures legal and regulatory adherence.

Relying solely on provider defaults (Option B) may leave gaps in access control, logging, or configuration. Focusing only on backup (Option C) protects data but does not prevent unauthorized access or breaches. Ignoring regulatory requirements (Option D) exposes the organization to legal penalties and reputational damage.

The CISM function ensures seamless integration across IAM, incident response, and security monitoring systems, creating a cohesive and well-governed security program. By integrating identity management with incident response workflows, the organization can rapidly detect and act on suspicious authentication events, privilege escalations, and policy violations. Monitoring tools feed real-time data into centralized dashboards, enabling proactive threat identification and timely corrective action.

To measure effectiveness, the program relies on well-defined security metrics and KPIs, including MFA compliance rates, privileged access audit results, access violation frequency, mean time to detect (MTTD), mean time to respond (MTTR), and adherence to least-privilege principles. Tracking these indicators allows security leadership to evaluate program maturity, identify weaknesses, and justify investments or process improvements. These metrics also ensure that the security team can demonstrate measurable alignment with organizational objectives and regulatory obligations.

A continuous review cycle strengthens the program further. This includes periodic risk assessments, access reviews, policy updates, and evaluation of new threat intelligence. As emerging threats, evolving technologies, and changes in regulatory obligations arise, policies and controls are updated to maintain resilience and compliance. This adaptive governance approach ensures the organization stays aligned with security best practices and withstands the dynamic cyber risk landscape.

By conducting thorough risk assessments, implementing appropriate technical and administrative controls, and ensuring continuous compliance with healthcare regulatory requirements, the organization protects sensitive patient data, safeguards system availability, and maintains data integrity. These efforts uphold legal obligations (such as HIPAA, HITECH, ISO, and NIST requirements) while reinforcing patient trust and service reliability.

Overall, these activities align directly with CISM responsibilities, which emphasize governance, risk management, incident response readiness, and security program oversight. Through comprehensive integration, monitoring, and continuous improvement, the CISM ensures a mature, accountable, and effective security program that supports both organizational goals and regulatory compliance.

Question 63

A company is deploying Internet of Things (IoT) devices in its manufacturing environment. The CISM is asked to mitigate security risks. Which approach should the CISM prioritize?

A) Segment IoT networks, enforce device authentication, apply patch management, monitor device traffic, and integrate with security operations
B) Connect all IoT devices to the corporate network without restrictions
C) Ignore device updates and rely on default configurations
D) Allow employees to manage IoT devices independently without oversight

Answer: Segment IoT networks, enforce device authentication, apply patch management, monitor device traffic, and integrate with security operations

Explanation:

IoT devices introduce vulnerabilities that can compromise operational technology (OT) and IT systems. The CISM ensures a risk-based approach integrating technical, administrative, and operational controls.

Network segmentation isolates IoT devices, limiting the spread of malware or unauthorized access. Device authentication ensures only trusted devices connect to the network. Patch management maintains up-to-date firmware and mitigates known vulnerabilities. Traffic monitoring detects anomalies, abnormal behavior, or unauthorized connections. Integration with security operations provides centralized oversight, incident detection, and response.

Connecting all devices without restrictions (Option B) increases exposure and risk. Ignoring updates (Option C) leaves devices vulnerable to exploits. Allowing independent employee management (Option D) introduces inconsistency and reduces accountability.

The CISM ensures integration with governance, risk management, and incident response programs. Metrics track patch compliance, unauthorized access attempts, and incident trends. Periodic reviews adapt to emerging threats and regulatory standards.

By implementing segmentation, authentication, patching, monitoring, and integration with security operations, the organization mitigates IoT risks, ensures operational continuity, and aligns with CISM principles of governance, risk management, and program development.

Question 64

A company is planning to implement a formal risk treatment strategy for cybersecurity risks. The CISM is asked to guide the process. Which approach should the CISM prioritize?

A) Identify risks, evaluate impact and likelihood, select treatment options (mitigate, accept, transfer, avoid), implement controls, and monitor effectiveness
B) Accept all risks without evaluation
C) Focus only on risks identified by IT staff
D) Ignore residual risks after control implementation

Answer: Identify risks, evaluate impact and likelihood, select treatment options (mitigate, accept, transfer, avoid), implement controls, and monitor effectiveness

Explanation:

Cybersecurity risk treatment is a structured process to reduce organizational exposure to threats. The CISM ensures a risk-based approach aligned with business objectives, governance, and compliance requirements.

Identification involves cataloging threats, vulnerabilities, and assets. Evaluation considers likelihood, impact, and regulatory implications. Treatment options include mitigation through controls, acceptance for low-impact risks, transfer via insurance or outsourcing, and avoidance by changing processes. Implementation of selected controls ensures effective risk reduction. Continuous monitoring assesses effectiveness, identifies new threats, and supports decision-making.

Accepting all risks (Option B) ignores exposure. Focusing only on IT-identified risks (Option C) may miss business, operational, or third-party risks. Ignoring residual risk (Option D) leaves unaddressed vulnerabilities that could escalate.

The CISM integrates risk treatment with governance, compliance, and business continuity frameworks. Metrics track risk reduction, control effectiveness, and emerging threat trends. Periodic review ensures alignment with organizational changes, regulatory requirements, and evolving risk landscape.

By prioritizing identification, evaluation, treatment, implementation, and monitoring, the organization strengthens risk management, reduces potential impact, and aligns with CISM governance and strategic oversight responsibilities.

Question 65

A company is planning to implement a formal security auditing program to assess compliance with policies and regulations. The CISM is asked to ensure program effectiveness. Which approach should the CISM prioritize?

A) Define audit scope, schedule audits, use risk-based methodology, document findings, report to management, and track remediation
B) Conduct audits only when issues arise
C) Audit IT systems only without considering business processes
D) Rely solely on external auditors without internal review

Answer: Define audit scope, schedule audits, use risk-based methodology, document findings, report to management, and track remediation

Explanation:

Security auditing ensures compliance, accountability, and continuous improvement. The CISM ensures audits are structured, aligned with organizational risk, and provide actionable insights.

Defining scope establishes objectives, systems, and regulatory focus. Scheduled audits ensure regular assessment. Risk-based methodology prioritizes areas with high impact or exposure. Documenting findings provides evidence for remediation and accountability. Reporting to management ensures oversight, supports decision-making, and demonstrates governance. Tracking remediation verifies that findings are addressed.

Auditing only when issues arise (Option B) is reactive, potentially missing systemic weaknesses. Auditing IT systems only (Option C) ignores process, personnel, and third-party risks. Relying solely on external auditors (Option D) reduces continuous oversight and internal accountability.

The CISM integrates auditing with risk management, compliance, and incident response. Metrics track audit coverage, findings resolution, and recurring issues. Continuous review ensures alignment with emerging threats, regulatory updates, and business priorities.

By defining scope, using a risk-based approach, documenting findings, reporting, and tracking remediation, the organization ensures compliance, strengthens security posture, and aligns with CISM governance, risk, and program management responsibilities.

Question 66

An organization wants to implement a formal security metrics program to measure the effectiveness of its information security controls. The CISM is asked to define the approach. Which approach should the CISM prioritize?

A) Identify critical success factors, define measurable metrics aligned with risk and business objectives, collect data consistently, analyze trends, and report to management
B) Track only the number of security incidents without context
C) Focus solely on technical metrics without relating to business impact
D) Avoid reporting metrics to senior management to reduce scrutiny

Answer: Identify critical success factors, define measurable metrics aligned with risk and business objectives, collect data consistently, analyze trends, and report to management

Explanation:

Security metrics enable organizations to quantify performance, demonstrate compliance, and drive continuous improvement. The CISM ensures that metrics are relevant, actionable, and aligned with enterprise risk management and business objectives.

Identifying critical success factors determines which security outcomes matter most. Metrics are then defined to measure effectiveness, efficiency, and alignment with organizational goals. Examples include incident response time, patch compliance, access violations, and risk remediation progress. Consistent data collection ensures reliability and enables trend analysis. Reporting to management provides oversight, supports decision-making, and demonstrates value delivery from security investments.

Tracking only the number of incidents (Option B) provides limited insight, ignoring underlying causes, risk exposure, and effectiveness of controls. Focusing solely on technical metrics (Option C) fails to connect security outcomes to business impact. Avoiding reporting to senior management (Option D) reduces accountability and governance oversight.

The CISM ensures that security metrics integrate with risk assessment, incident response, and compliance programs. Metrics help prioritize resources, justify investments, and evaluate program success. Periodic review ensures metrics remain relevant amid evolving threats and business changes.

By defining critical success factors, aligning metrics with business objectives, collecting and analyzing data, and reporting results, the organization strengthens security governance, demonstrates accountability, and fulfills CISM responsibilities for program management and value delivery.

Question 67

A company wants to strengthen its security incident response (IR) program for cloud services. The CISM is asked to recommend the most effective approach. Which approach should the CISM prioritize?

A) Define cloud-specific IR procedures, establish roles and responsibilities, integrate monitoring, conduct tabletop exercises, and review lessons learned
B) Apply on-premises IR procedures without adaptation for the cloud
C) Ignore cloud incidents assuming the provider handles all responses
D) Respond only after regulatory reporting thresholds are reached

Answer: Define cloud-specific IR procedures, establish roles and responsibilities, integrate monitoring, conduct tabletop exercises, and review lessons learned

Explanation:

Cloud environments introduce unique challenges, such as shared responsibility models, limited visibility, and multi-tenant architecture. The CISM ensures that incident response procedures address these risks, reduce business impact, and maintain compliance.

Cloud-specific IR procedures account for provider roles, legal obligations, and technical constraints. Roles and responsibilities define who acts in the event of an incident, including coordination with the cloud provider. Integration with monitoring tools enables rapid detection and response. Tabletop exercises simulate scenarios to validate readiness, identify gaps, and train personnel. Reviewing lessons learned ensures continuous improvement.

Applying on-premises procedures without adaptation (Option B) may be ineffective, ignoring cloud-specific threats. Ignoring incidents (Option C) risks breach escalation, non-compliance, and operational disruption. Responding only after regulatory thresholds (Option D) delays mitigation and can increase impact.

The CISM ensures that cloud IR aligns with enterprise governance, risk management, and compliance. Metrics track response time, containment effectiveness, and recurrence. Periodic review and testing incorporate emerging threats and changes in provider capabilities.

By implementing cloud-specific procedures, defining roles, integrating monitoring, exercising scenarios, and learning from incidents, the organization strengthens resilience, maintains compliance, and fulfills CISM responsibilities for risk management and operational oversight.

Question 68

A company is deploying DevSecOps practices to integrate security into the development lifecycle. The CISM is asked to ensure proper risk management. Which approach should the CISM prioritize?

A) Embed security requirements into CI/CD pipelines, perform automated testing, enforce code quality checks, and monitor vulnerabilities continuously
B) Perform security testing only at the end of development
C) Allow developers to apply security at their discretion
D) Rely solely on perimeter security to protect applications

Answer: Embed security requirements into CI/CD pipelines, perform automated testing, enforce code quality checks, and monitor vulnerabilities continuously

Explanation:

DevSecOps integrates security into development and operational processes, ensuring early detection and mitigation of vulnerabilities. The CISM ensures that DevSecOps practices align with risk management and business objectives.

Security requirements are embedded into CI/CD pipelines to enforce policy compliance. Automated testing identifies coding errors, security flaws, and misconfigurations early. Code quality checks ensure adherence to secure coding standards. Continuous vulnerability monitoring detects risks post-deployment and allows rapid remediation.

Performing security testing only at the end (Option B) is reactive, often resulting in costly fixes and potential exploitation in production. Allowing developer discretion (Option C) leads to inconsistent security practices. Relying solely on perimeter security (Option D) fails to address application-level vulnerabilities and insider threats.

The CISM ensures integration with governance, risk assessment, incident response, and audit processes. Metrics track vulnerabilities identified, remediated, and recurring issues. Continuous improvement adapts to emerging threats, regulatory changes, and organizational priorities.

By embedding security into DevOps practices with automated testing, code quality checks, and continuous monitoring, the organization reduces risk exposure, ensures compliance, and aligns with CISM governance and program management responsibilities.

Question 69

An organization is planning to implement business continuity management (BCM) across multiple locations. The CISM is asked to ensure proper alignment with enterprise risk management. Which approach should the CISM prioritize?

A) Conduct business impact analysis (BIA) for all locations, define recovery objectives, develop and test BCM plans, and integrate with risk management
B) Develop BCM plans only for headquarters
C) Focus solely on IT systems without considering business processes
D) Avoid testing BCM plans to save operational resources

Answer: Conduct business impact analysis (BIA) for all locations, define recovery objectives, develop and test BCM plans, and integrate with risk management

Explanation:

Business continuity ensures that critical operations continue during disruptions. The CISM ensures that BCM is aligned with enterprise risk management, operational priorities, and regulatory requirements.

BIA identifies critical processes, assets, and dependencies for each location. Recovery time objectives (RTO) and recovery point objectives (RPO) define acceptable downtime and data loss. BCM plans cover processes, resources, roles, and communication. Testing validates effectiveness, identifies gaps, and improves readiness. Integration with risk management ensures consistency with organizational risk appetite and supports informed decision-making.

Developing plans only for headquarters (Option B) neglects critical processes at other sites. Focusing solely on IT systems (Option C) ignores dependencies between business processes, facilities, and personnel. Avoiding testing (Option D) leaves plans unvalidated and ineffective.

The CISM ensures metrics track plan effectiveness, recovery times, and gaps identified during testing. Periodic review incorporates emerging risks, organizational changes, and regulatory requirements.

By conducting BIA, defining objectives, developing and testing plans, and integrating with risk management, the organization ensures operational resilience, regulatory compliance, and aligns with CISM governance and oversight responsibilities.

Question 70

A company wants to implement a risk-based vulnerability management program. The CISM is asked to ensure prioritization of remediation efforts. Which approach should the CISM prioritize?

A) Identify vulnerabilities, evaluate risk based on impact and likelihood, prioritize remediation for high-risk assets, track progress, and report to management
B) Apply patches randomly without risk assessment
C) Focus only on critical systems, ignoring less critical assets
D) Delay remediation until after external audit findings

Answer: Identify vulnerabilities, evaluate risk based on impact and likelihood, prioritize remediation for high-risk assets, track progress, and report to management

Explanation:

Vulnerability management reduces the likelihood and impact of cyberattacks by identifying and addressing weaknesses proactively. The CISM ensures a structured, risk-based approach that aligns with business objectives and governance.

Vulnerability identification includes scanning, penetration testing, and threat intelligence. Risk evaluation considers the potential impact on business operations, legal compliance, and reputation, as well as the likelihood of exploitation. Remediation prioritizes high-risk vulnerabilities to maximize risk reduction. Tracking remediation progress ensures accountability and demonstrates management oversight. Reporting informs decision-making and supports resource allocation.

Random patching (Option B) wastes resources and may leave high-risk vulnerabilities unaddressed. Focusing only on critical systems (Option C) ignores vulnerabilities in supporting systems that may be exploited as attack vectors. Delaying remediation until audits (Option D) increases exposure and risk of incidents.

The CISM ensures integration with governance, incident response, and security metrics programs. Metrics track vulnerability closure rate, risk reduction, and recurring weaknesses. Periodic review ensures the program adapts to emerging threats, new assets, and organizational changes.

By identifying vulnerabilities, evaluating risk, prioritizing remediation, tracking progress, and reporting, the organization strengthens security posture, reduces risk exposure, and aligns with CISM risk management and governance responsibilities.

Question 71

An organization is planning to implement a formal insider threat program. The CISM is asked to ensure the program addresses both technical and behavioral risks. Which approach should the CISM prioritize?

A) Implement monitoring of user activities, enforce access controls, provide security awareness training, and establish reporting and response procedures
B) Monitor only technical logs without considering human behavior
C) Rely solely on HR policies without technical controls
D) Ignore potential insider threats assuming employees are trustworthy

Answer: Implement monitoring of user activities, enforce access controls, provide security awareness training, and establish reporting and response procedures

Explanation:

Insider threats can result from intentional malicious activity or unintentional actions. The CISM ensures a holistic approach that mitigates risks by addressing both technical and behavioral factors.

Monitoring user activities helps detect unusual behavior, policy violations, or unauthorized access attempts. Access controls enforce least privilege, limiting employees’ ability to access sensitive data unnecessarily. Security awareness training educates employees on the risks of data misuse, phishing, and other behaviors that could compromise security. Reporting and response procedures provide structured escalation and remediation when suspicious activity is detected.

Monitoring only technical logs (Option B) may miss behavioral indicators of insider risk. Relying solely on HR policies (Option C) ignores technical enforcement and visibility. Ignoring insider threats (Option D) exposes the organization to potential data loss, regulatory violations, and reputational damage.

The CISM integrates insider threat programs with governance, risk management, incident response, and compliance. Metrics track detected anomalies, policy violations, and training effectiveness. Periodic program reviews incorporate emerging threats, regulatory requirements, and organizational changes.

By combining monitoring, access controls, training, and reporting, the organization reduces the likelihood and impact of insider threats and aligns with CISM governance, risk management, and program oversight responsibilities.

Question 72

A company wants to implement data loss prevention (DLP) to protect sensitive information. The CISM is asked to ensure alignment with business objectives. Which approach should the CISM prioritize?

A) Identify sensitive data, classify information, deploy DLP policies across endpoints, networks, and cloud services, and monitor incidents
B) Apply DLP only to email traffic
C) Rely solely on user awareness without technical controls
D) Ignore classification and deploy generic DLP rules

Answer: Identify sensitive data, classify information, deploy DLP policies across endpoints, networks, and cloud services, and monitor incidents

Explanation:

Data loss prevention protects sensitive information from unauthorized access, disclosure, or exfiltration. The CISM ensures that DLP strategies are risk-based, business-aligned, and enforceable.

Data identification and classification determine what constitutes sensitive information, such as PII, financial data, or intellectual property. Deploying DLP policies across endpoints, networks, and cloud environments ensures comprehensive coverage. Monitoring incidents provides alerts, enables timely response, and supports regulatory compliance.

Applying DLP only to email (Option B) ignores other vectors such as cloud storage, removable media, or collaboration platforms. Relying solely on awareness (Option C) is insufficient to prevent accidental or malicious data loss. Ignoring classification (Option D) may result in overly broad policies, operational inefficiencies, and gaps in protection.

The CISM ensures DLP integration with IAM, monitoring, incident response, and audit programs. Metrics track blocked attempts, policy violations, and incident resolution. Periodic review ensures alignment with evolving business needs, regulatory requirements, and emerging threats.

By identifying, classifying, deploying, and monitoring DLP policies, the organization protects critical information, reduces risk exposure, ensures compliance, and aligns with CISM governance and risk management responsibilities.

Question 73

A company wants to ensure secure third-party cloud vendor relationships. The CISM is asked to develop a risk management approach. Which approach should the CISM prioritize?

A) Conduct vendor risk assessments, define contractual security requirements, monitor performance, and review compliance periodically
B) Assume all cloud vendors are secure and do not perform assessments
C) Focus only on financial stability without reviewing security practices
D) Rely solely on audits performed by the cloud provider

Answer: Conduct vendor risk assessments, define contractual security requirements, monitor performance, and review compliance periodically

Explanation:

Third-party cloud vendors introduce risks related to confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The CISM ensures that vendor risk management is structured, proactive, and aligned with enterprise risk management.

Vendor risk assessments evaluate security posture, regulatory compliance, past incidents, and operational reliability. Contractual security requirements establish obligations, including data protection, incident notification, audit rights, and termination clauses. Monitoring performance ensures ongoing compliance and risk mitigation. Periodic reviews verify that controls remain effective and aligned with organizational risk appetite.

Assuming vendor security (Option B) ignores potential gaps. Focusing solely on financial stability (Option C) neglects operational, security, and compliance risks. Relying only on provider audits (Option D) provides limited assurance and may not align with the organization’s specific risk requirements.

The CISM ensures integration of vendor management with governance, compliance, and incident response. Metrics track risk assessment results, compliance adherence, and remediation of findings. Continuous review accommodates regulatory changes, evolving threats, and business expansion.

By conducting assessments, defining contractual requirements, monitoring, and reviewing vendors, the organization strengthens third-party risk management, ensures compliance, and aligns with CISM responsibilities for governance and risk oversight.

Question 74

An organization is implementing endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions. The CISM is asked to ensure alignment with risk management objectives. Which approach should the CISM prioritize?

A) Deploy EDR on all critical endpoints, integrate with SIEM, define detection rules, enable automated response, and monitor continuously
B) Deploy EDR only on servers
C) Rely solely on antivirus solutions without EDR
D) Use EDR passively without monitoring or response capabilities

Answer: Deploy EDR on all critical endpoints, integrate with SIEM, define detection rules, enable automated response, and monitor continuously

Explanation:

EDR provides visibility, threat detection, and automated response to endpoint threats, supporting proactive risk management. The CISM ensures EDR deployment aligns with organizational risk priorities and operational requirements.

Deploying EDR on critical endpoints ensures protection where the impact of compromise is highest. Integration with SIEM centralizes monitoring, correlates events, and improves incident detection. Detection rules identify anomalous behavior, malware, or unauthorized activity. Automated response contains threats rapidly, reducing operational impact. Continuous monitoring ensures timely detection, mitigation, and reporting.

Deploying EDR only on servers (Option B) leaves endpoints such as laptops, workstations, or mobile devices unprotected. Relying solely on antivirus (Option C) is reactive and insufficient against advanced threats. Using EDR passively (Option D) limits its effectiveness, reducing situational awareness and incident response capability.

The CISM ensures EDR integration with governance, risk management, incident response, and metrics programs. Metrics track detected incidents, response time, and remediation effectiveness. Continuous review ensures adaptation to emerging threats, technology changes, and regulatory requirements.

By deploying EDR on critical endpoints, integrating with SIEM, defining detection rules, enabling automated response, and monitoring continuously, the organization strengthens endpoint security, reduces risk exposure, and aligns with CISM governance and risk management responsibilities.

Question 75

A company is implementing network segmentation to enhance security. The CISM is asked to ensure the approach aligns with risk and business objectives. Which approach should the CISM prioritize?

A) Segment networks based on business function and risk sensitivity, implement access controls, monitor traffic, and review segmentation effectiveness periodically
B) Apply segmentation randomly without business or risk consideration
C) Focus only on separating IT and OT networks without considering internal departmental segmentation
D) Avoid monitoring segmented networks to reduce operational complexity

Answer: Segment networks based on business function and risk sensitivity, implement access controls, monitor traffic, and review segmentation effectiveness periodically

Explanation:

Network segmentation reduces lateral movement of attackers, isolates sensitive systems, and supports regulatory compliance. The CISM ensures segmentation is risk-based, aligned with business priorities, and operationally sustainable.

Segmentation by business function and risk sensitivity ensures critical systems are isolated from less sensitive networks. Access controls enforce least privilege and prevent unauthorized communication between segments. Monitoring traffic detects anomalies, policy violations, or attempts to bypass controls. Periodic review ensures that segmentation remains effective amid business or infrastructure changes.

Random segmentation (Option B) risks operational inefficiency and inadequate protection. Focusing only on IT vs. OT (Option C) ignores risks within departments and internal systems. Avoiding monitoring (Option D) limits visibility and reduces detection and response capability.

The CISM integrates segmentation with risk management, incident response, and compliance. Metrics track unauthorized access attempts, traffic anomalies, and control effectiveness. Periodic reviews accommodate emerging threats, regulatory changes, and business growth.

By segmenting networks based on risk and business needs, enforcing access controls, monitoring traffic, and reviewing effectiveness, the organization reduces attack surface, strengthens resilience, and aligns with CISM governance and risk management responsibilities.

Question 76

An organization is implementing cloud access security broker (CASB) solutions to control data in cloud services. The CISM is asked to ensure risk management objectives are met. Which approach should the CISM prioritize?

A) Deploy CASB to monitor cloud usage, enforce security policies, detect risky behavior, and integrate with IAM and SIEM systems
B) Rely solely on cloud provider security features
C) Monitor only on-premises systems without visibility into the cloud
D) Ignore cloud shadow IT activities to avoid operational complexity

Answer: Deploy CASB to monitor cloud usage, enforce security policies, detect risky behavior, and integrate with IAM and SIEM systems

Explanation:

CASB solutions provide visibility, control, and enforcement of security policies across cloud applications. The CISM ensures that CASB deployment aligns with enterprise risk management and regulatory requirements.

Monitoring cloud usage helps detect unauthorized applications, data exfiltration, and shadow IT activities. Security policy enforcement controls access, sharing, and data handling according to classification and compliance requirements. Detecting risky behavior such as unusual downloads, account compromise, or policy violations reduces operational and reputational risk. Integration with IAM ensures consistent access management, and SIEM integration enables centralized monitoring, alerting, and incident response.

Relying solely on cloud provider security (Option B) may leave gaps, as providers’ controls often focus on infrastructure, not data usage or insider risks. Monitoring only on-premises systems (Option C) ignores cloud adoption risks. Ignoring shadow IT (Option D) exposes the organization to data loss, compliance violations, and increased attack surfaces.

The CISM ensures CASB deployment integrates with governance, risk management, and incident response. Metrics track policy violations, unauthorized cloud usage, and remediation effectiveness. Continuous review ensures alignment with business requirements, evolving threats, and regulatory obligations.

By deploying CASB with monitoring, policy enforcement, risky behavior detection, and integration with IAM and SIEM, the organization strengthens cloud security, reduces exposure, ensures compliance, and aligns with CISM governance and risk management responsibilities.

Question 77

A company wants to implement formal encryption policies for data at rest and in transit. The CISM is asked to ensure compliance and risk mitigation. Which approach should the CISM prioritize?

A) Define encryption standards, select appropriate algorithms and key management practices, enforce policies, and monitor compliance
B) Encrypt only high-value data without policies
C) Rely solely on vendor-provided encryption without internal controls
D) Avoid key management practices to simplify operations

Answer: Define encryption standards, select appropriate algorithms and key management practices, enforce policies, and monitor compliance

Explanation:

Encryption protects confidentiality and integrity of sensitive data. The CISM ensures a structured approach that aligns with regulatory requirements and risk management priorities.

Defining encryption standards ensures consistent protection across systems. Selecting appropriate algorithms, key sizes, and protocols ensures compliance with industry standards and effectiveness against modern threats. Key management practices, including generation, rotation, storage, and revocation, prevent unauthorized access and maintain control over encrypted data. Enforcing policies ensures adherence across the organization. Monitoring compliance identifies gaps, misconfigurations, and unauthorized use of unencrypted data.

Encrypting only high-value data (Option B) may leave sensitive but overlooked data exposed. Relying solely on vendor encryption (Option C) reduces internal accountability and visibility. Avoiding key management (Option D) increases the risk of key compromise or data inaccessibility.

The CISM ensures encryption aligns with governance, risk management, and audit requirements. Metrics track policy adherence, encryption coverage, and compliance issues. Periodic reviews accommodate emerging cryptographic standards, regulatory updates, and operational changes.

By defining encryption standards, selecting algorithms and key management practices, enforcing policies, and monitoring compliance, the organization safeguards sensitive information, reduces risk, and aligns with CISM responsibilities for governance and risk oversight.

Question 78

A company is deploying a centralized logging and monitoring system for security events. The CISM is asked to ensure operational effectiveness. Which approach should the CISM prioritize?

A) Collect logs from critical systems, normalize data, correlate events, define alert thresholds, and integrate with incident response processes
B) Collect logs only from servers without correlation
C) Monitor events ad hoc without defined procedures
D) Ignore alert tuning to reduce administrative overhead

Answer: Collect logs from critical systems, normalize data, correlate events, define alert thresholds, and integrate with incident response processes

Explanation:

Centralized logging and monitoring improve situational awareness, enable early threat detection, and support regulatory compliance. The CISM ensures that logging and monitoring are risk-based, comprehensive, and actionable.

Collecting logs from critical systems ensures coverage of high-risk areas. Normalizing data provides consistency for analysis. Event correlation detects complex attack patterns and security anomalies. Defining alert thresholds reduces false positives while ensuring timely response. Integration with incident response processes ensures that detected events trigger investigation, containment, and remediation.

Collecting logs only from servers (Option B) limits visibility into endpoints, network devices, and cloud services. Ad hoc monitoring (Option C) reduces consistency and increases response time. Ignoring alert tuning (Option D) leads to alert fatigue, inefficient response, and potential missed incidents.

The CISM ensures integration with governance, risk management, and compliance frameworks. Metrics track detected incidents, response times, false positives, and system coverage. Periodic review ensures alignment with emerging threats, evolving IT environments, and regulatory obligations.

By centralizing logs, normalizing and correlating data, defining thresholds, and integrating with incident response, the organization strengthens threat detection, reduces risk exposure, and aligns with CISM governance and risk management responsibilities.

Question 79

An organization is implementing formal IT governance to ensure alignment of security initiatives with business objectives. The CISM is asked to define the approach. Which approach should the CISM prioritize?

A) Establish governance structures, define policies, assign roles and responsibilities, monitor performance, and report to executive management
B) Focus only on technical security projects without governance oversight
C) Allow departments to implement security independently without coordination
D) Avoid monitoring and reporting to senior management to reduce bureaucracy

Answer: Establish governance structures, define policies, assign roles and responsibilities, monitor performance, and report to executive management

Explanation:

IT governance ensures that security initiatives support business objectives, risk management, and regulatory compliance. The CISM ensures a structured approach that establishes accountability, transparency, and oversight.

Governance structures define committees, councils, and reporting lines for decision-making and oversight. Policies provide standards and expectations for security practices across the organization. Assigning roles and responsibilities clarifies accountability and ownership. Monitoring performance tracks alignment with business objectives and risk appetite. Reporting to executive management provides visibility, supports strategic decision-making, and demonstrates value delivery from security investments.

Focusing only on technical projects (Option B) ignores strategic alignment and risk management. Allowing independent departmental implementation (Option C) risks inconsistent practices, redundancies, and gaps. Avoiding monitoring and reporting (Option D) reduces oversight, accountability, and governance effectiveness.

The CISM ensures governance integrates with risk management, compliance, and performance measurement programs. Metrics track policy adherence, initiative effectiveness, and alignment with business goals. Periodic review ensures the governance framework evolves with organizational, regulatory, and technological changes.

By establishing governance structures, defining policies, assigning roles, monitoring performance, and reporting to executives, the organization ensures strategic alignment, accountability, and effective security program oversight, aligning with CISM responsibilities.

Question 80

A company wants to implement a formal program for continuous security awareness and training. The CISM is asked to ensure effectiveness. Which approach should the CISM prioritize?

A) Conduct periodic training, simulate phishing and social engineering exercises, measure engagement and effectiveness, and adjust programs based on metrics
B) Conduct training once during onboarding only
C) Rely solely on email reminders without structured content
D) Avoid measuring effectiveness to reduce administrative overhead

Answer: Conduct periodic training, simulate phishing and social engineering exercises, measure engagement and effectiveness, and adjust programs based on metrics

Explanation:

Security awareness and training reduce the risk of human error, insider threats, and social engineering attacks. The CISM ensures that programs are ongoing, risk-based, and measurable.

Periodic training reinforces knowledge and addresses evolving threats. Phishing simulations and social engineering exercises provide practical experience and reinforce secure behaviors. Measuring engagement, completion rates, and effectiveness helps identify gaps and areas for improvement. Adjusting the program based on metrics ensures relevance and continuous improvement.

One-time onboarding training (Option B) is insufficient for ongoing threat mitigation. Relying solely on reminders (Option C) lacks depth and engagement. Avoiding measurement (Option D) reduces accountability and hinders program improvement.

The CISM integrates security awareness with governance, risk management, incident response, and compliance. Metrics track completion, simulated attack response, and behavior change. Continuous review ensures the program adapts to new threats, regulatory changes, and organizational priorities.

By conducting periodic training, simulating attacks, measuring effectiveness, and adjusting programs, the organization strengthens its security culture, reduces risk, and aligns with CISM responsibilities for governance, risk management, and program oversight.