CISA Exam Dumps - Isaca Certification Questions and Answers

The most appropriate and effective fire suppression method for an un-staffed computer room is carbon dioxide (CO2). Carbon dioxide is a gaseous clean agent that extinguishes fire by displacing oxygen and reducing the combustion process. Carbon dioxide is suitable for un-staffed computer rooms because it does not leave any residue, damage, or corrosion on the electronic equipment, and it does not require water or other chemicals that could harm the environment or human health. However, carbon dioxide can pose a risk of asphyxiation to any person who may enter the computer room during or after the discharge, so proper safety precautions and warning signs should be in place.

The other options are not as appropriate or effective as carbon dioxide for an un-staffed computer room:

Water sprinkler. This is a common fire suppression method that uses water to cool down and extinguish fire. However, water sprinkler is not suitable for un-staffed computer rooms because it can cause severe damage to the electronic equipment, such as short circuits, corrosion, or data loss. Water sprinkler can also create a risk of electric shock to any person who may enter the computer room during or after the discharge.

Fire extinguishers. These are portable devices that contain a pressurized agent that can be sprayed on a fire to put it out. However, fire extinguishers are not effective for un-staffed computer rooms because they require manual operation by a trained person who can identify the type and location of the fire, and use the appropriate extinguisher. Fire extinguishers can also cause damage to the electronic equipment if they contain water or chemical agents.

Dry pipe. This is a type of sprinkler system that uses pressurized air or nitrogen in the pipes instead of water until a fire is detected. When a fire is detected, the air or nitrogen is released and water flows into the pipes and sprinklers. However, dry pipe is not ideal for un-staffed computer rooms because it still uses water as the extinguishing agent, which can damage the electronic equipment as mentioned above. Dry pipe also has a slower response time than wet pipe sprinkler systems, which can allow the fire to spread more quickly.

The most important thing to determine next after concluding that an organization has a quality security policy is whether the policy is well understood by all employees. A security policy is a document that defines the objectives, scope, roles, responsibilities, and rules for information security within an organization. A quality security policy is one that is clear, concise, consistent, comprehensive, and aligned with business goals and requirements. However, a quality security policy is useless if it is not well understood by all employees who are expected to comply with it.Therefore, the IS auditor should assess the level of awareness and understanding of the security policy among employees and identify any gaps or issues that need to be addressed. The other options are not as important as ensuring that the security policy is well understood by all employees, as they do not directly affect the implementation and effectiveness of the security policy. References: CISA Review Manual, 27th Edition, page 317

 Following a configuration management process to maintain applications is the primary reason for ensuring proper change control. Configuration management is a process of identifying, documenting, controlling, and verifying the configuration items and their interrelationships within an IT system or environment. Following a configuration management process can help to ensure that any changes to the applications are authorized, tested, documented, and tracked throughout their lifecycle. This will help to prevent unauthorized or improper changes that could affect the functionality, performance, or security of the applications. The other options are not the primary reasons for following a configuration management process, but rather possible benefits or outcomes of doing so. References:

CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 4, Section 4.3.31

CISA Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Database, Question ID 225

Understanding the specific agile methodology that will be followed is the first step that an IS auditor should do to ensure the effectiveness of the project audit. An IS auditor should familiarize themselves with the agile approach, principles, practices, and tools that will be used by the project team, as well as the roles and responsibilities of the project stakeholders. This will help the IS auditor to identify and assess the relevant risks and controls for the project audit. The other options are not the first steps that an IS auditor should do, but rather possible subsequent actions that may depend on the specific agile methodology. References:

CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 4, Section 4.3.21

CISA Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Database, Question ID 211

This is the most effective way for the organization to improve its data classification processes and procedures, because data owners are the ones who are responsible for assigning the appropriate level of classification to the data they create, collect, or manage. Data owners should be aware of the data classification policy, the criteria for each level of classification, and the implications of misclassification. IT security staff can provide tailored training for data owners based on their roles, functions, and types of data they handle.

The other options are not as effective as having IT security staff conduct targeted training for data owners:

Use automatic document classification based on content. This is a possible option, but it may not be feasible or accurate for a small organization. Automatic document classification is a process that uses artificial intelligence or machine learning to analyze the content of a document and assign a class label based on predefined rules or models. However, this process may require a lot of resources, expertise, and maintenance, and it may not capture all the nuances and context of the data. The IS auditor should also verify the reliability and validity of the automatic document classification system.

Publish the data classification policy on the corporate web portal. This is a good practice, but it is not enough to improve the data classification situation. Publishing the data classification policy on the corporate web portal can increase the visibility and accessibility of the policy, but it does not ensure that data owners will read, understand, and follow it. The IS auditor should also monitor and enforce the compliance with the policy.

Conduct awareness presentations and seminars for information classification policies. This is a useful measure, but it is not the most effective one. Conducting awareness presentations and seminars can raise the general awareness and knowledge of information classification policies among all employees, but it may not address the specific needs and challenges of data owners. The IS auditor should also provide more in-depth and practical training for data owners.

The most important input during the planning phase for an audit on the implementation of a bring your own device (BYOD) program is policies including BYOD acceptable user statements. Policies are documents that define the organization’s objectives, requirements, expectations, and responsibilities regarding a specific topic or area. BYOD policies should include acceptable user statements that specify what types of personal devices are allowed to connect to the corporate network, what security measures must be implemented on those devices, what data can be accessed or stored on those devices, what actions must be taken in case of device loss or theft, and what consequences will apply for non-compliance. Policies including BYOD acceptable user statements can provide an IS auditor with a clear understanding of the scope, criteria, and objectivesof the BYOD program audit. Findings from prior audits, results of a risk assessment, and an inventory of personal devices to be connected to the corporate network are also useful inputs for planning a BYOD program audit, but they are not as important as policies including BYOD acceptable user statements. References: ISACA CISA Review Manual 27th Edition, page 381.

 Ensuring that the facts presented in the report are correct is the most important thing for an IS auditor to do during an exit meeting with an auditee. An IS auditor should confirm that the audit findings and observations are accurate, complete, and supported by sufficient evidence, as well as that the auditee understands and agrees with them. This will help to avoid any misunderstandings or disputes later on, as well as to enhance the credibility and quality of the audit report. The other options are less important things for an IS auditor to do during an exit meeting, as they may involve communicating the recommendations to senior management, specifying implementation dates for the recommendations, or requesting input in determining corrective action. References:

CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 2, Section 2.5.21

CISA Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Database, Question ID 222

 Ongoing monitoring of the audit activities is the most important activity to include as part of the quality assurance (QA) program requirements for an internal audit department. An IS auditor should perform regular reviews and evaluations of the audit processes, methods, standards, and outcomes to ensure that they comply with the QA program objectives and criteria. This will help to maintain and improve the quality and consistency of the audit services and deliverables. The other options are less important activities to include as part of the QA program requirements, as they may involve long-term resource planning, user satisfaction reports, or feedback from internal audit staff. References:

CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 2, Section2.61

CISA Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Database, Question ID 224

 An IS auditor is conducting a review of a data center. An observation that could indicate an access control issue is muddy footprints directly inside the emergency exit. Access control is a process that ensures that only authorized entities or individuals can access or use an information system or resource, and prevents unauthorized access or use. Access control can be implemented using various methods or mechanisms, such as physical, logical, administrative, etc. Muddy footprints directly inside the emergency exit could indicate an access control issue, as they could suggest that someone has entered the data center through the emergency exit without proper authorization or authentication, and potentially compromised the security or integrity of the data center. Security cameras deployed outside main entrance is not an observation that could indicate an access control issue, but rather a control that could enhance access control, as security cameras are devices that capture and record video footage of the surroundings, and can help monitor and deter unauthorized access or activity. Antistatic mats deployed at the computer room entrance is not an observation that could indicate an access control issue, but rather a control that could prevent static electricity damage, as antistatic mats are devices that dissipate or reduce static charges from people or objects, and can help protect electronic equipment from electrostatic discharge (ESD). Fencing around facility is two meters high is not an observation that could indicate an access control issue, but rather a control that could improve physical security, as fencing is a barrier that encloses or surrounds an area, and can help prevent unauthorized entry or intrusion. 

The greatest security risk associated with data migration from a legacy human resources (HR) system to a cloud-based system is data from the source and target system may be intercepted. Data interception is an attack that occurs when an unauthorized entity or individual captures or accesses data that are being transmitted or stored on an information system or network. Data interception can compromise the confidentiality and integrity of data, and cause harm or damage to data owners or users. Data migration from a legacy HR system to a cloud-based system involves transferring data from one system or location to another system or location over a network connection. This poses a high risk of data interception, as data may be exposed or vulnerable during transit or storage on unsecured or untrusted networks or systems. Data from the source and target system may have different data formats is a possible challenge associated with data migration from a legacy HR system to a cloud-based system, but it is not a security risk. Data formats are specifications that define how data are structured or encoded on an information system or network. Data formats may vary depending on different systems or platforms. Data migration may require converting data from one format to another format to ensure compatibility and interoperability between systems. Records past their retention period may not be migrated to the new system is a possible outcome associated with data migration from a legacy HR system to a cloud-based system, but it is not a security risk. Retention period is a duration that defines how long data should be kept or stored on an information system or network before being deleted or destroyed. Retention period may depend on various factors such as legal requirements, business needs, storage capacity, etc. Data migration may involve deleting or destroying data that are past their retention period to reduce the volume or complexity of data to be transferred or to comply with regulations or policies. System performance may be impacted by the migration is a possible impact associated with data migration from a legacy HR system to a cloud-based system, but it is not a security risk. System performance is a measure of how well an information system or network functions or operates, such as speed, reliability, availability, etc. System performance may be affected by data migration, as data migration mayconsume significant resources or bandwidth, cause interruptions or delays, or introduce errors or inconsistencies. 

 Antivirus software has been implemented on the guest operating system only is the observation that an IS auditor would consider the greatest risk when conducting an audit of a virtual server farm for potential software vulnerabilities. A virtual server farm is a collection of servers that run multiple virtual machines (VMs) on a single physical host using a software layer called a hypervisor. A guest operating system is the operating system installed on each VM. Antivirus software is a software program that detects and removes malicious software from a computer system. If antivirus software has been implemented on the guest operating system only, it means that the hypervisor and the host operating system are not protected from malware attacks, which could compromise the security and availability of all VMs running on the same host. Therefore, antivirus software should be implemented on both the guest and host operating systems as well as on the hypervisor. References: CISA Review Manual, 27th Edition, page 378

The most assurance over the completeness and accuracy of loan application processing with respect to the implementation of a new system can be obtained by running historical transactions through the new system. Historical transactions are transactions that have been processed and recorded by the old system in the past. Running historical transactions through the new system can provide the most assurance over the completeness and accuracy of loan application processing, bycomparing the results and outputs of the new system with those of the old system, and verifying whether they match or differ. This can help identify and resolve any errors or issues that may arise from the new system, such as data conversion, functionality, compatibility, etc. Comparing code between old and new systems is a possible way to obtain some assurance over the completeness and accuracy of loan application processing with respect to the implementation of a new system, but it is not the most effective one. Code is a set of instructions or commands that define how a system operates or functions. Comparing code between old and new systems can provide some assurance over the completeness and accuracy of loan application processing, by checking whether the logic, algorithms, or functions of the new system are consistent or equivalent with those of the old system. However, this may not be sufficient or reliable, as code may not reflect the actual performance or outcomes of the system, and may not detect any errors or issues that may occur at the data or user level. Reviewing quality assurance (QA) procedures is a possible way to obtain some assurance over the completeness and accuracy of loan application processing with respect to the implementation of a new system, but it is not the most effective one. QA procedures are steps or activities that ensure that a system meets its quality standards and requirements, such as testing, verification, validation, etc. Reviewing QA procedures can provide some assurance over the completeness and accuracy of loan application processing, by evaluating whether the new system has been properly tested and verified before implementation. However, this may not be adequate or accurate, as QA procedures may not cover all aspects or scenarios of loan application processing, and may not reveal any errors or issues that may arise after implementation. Loading balance and transaction data to the new system is a possible way to obtain some assurance over the completeness and accuracy of loan application processing with respect to the implementation of a new system, but it is not the most effective one. Balance and transaction data are data that reflect the status and history of loan applications in a system, such as amounts, dates, payments, etc. Loading balance and transaction data to the new system can provide some assurance over the completeness and accuracy of loan application processing, by transferring data from the old system to the new system and ensuring that they are consistent and correct. However, this may not be enough or valid, as balance and transaction data may not represent all aspects or features of loan application processing, and may not indicate any errors or issues that may arise

Source code for the software must be placed in escrow is the most important requirement to include in the vendor contract to ensure continuity. Source code is the original code of a software program that can be modified or enhanced by programmers. Placing source code in escrow means depositing it with a trusted third party who can release it to the customer under certain conditions, such as vendor bankruptcy, breach of contract, or failure to provide support. This can help to ensure continuity of the software product and its maintenance in case of vendor unavailability or dispute. The other options are less important requirements to include in the vendor contract, as they may involve support availability, disaster recovery plan, or staff training. References:

CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 5, Section 5.51

CISA Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Database, Question ID228

 The most significant risk associated with a new health records system that replaces a legacy system is data not being converted correctly, resulting in inaccurate patient records. Data conversion is the process of transferring data from one format or system to another. Data conversion is a critical step in implementing a new health records system, as it ensures that the patient data are consistent, complete, accurate, and accessible in the new system. Data not being converted correctly may cause errors, discrepancies, or losses in patient records, which may have serious implications for patient safety, quality of care, legal compliance, and privacy protection. Staff not being involved in the procurement process, creating user resistance to the new system; the deployment project experiencing significant overruns, exceeding budget projections; and the new system having capacity issues, leading to slow response times for users are also risks associated with a new health records system implementation, but they are not as significant as data not being converted correctly. References: [ISACA CISA Review Manual 27th Edition], page 281.

Allowing only corporate IM solutions is the best control to mitigate the malware risk associated with an IM system, because it can prevent unauthorized or malicious IM applications from accessing the network and infecting the system with malware. Corporate IM solutions can also enforce security policies and standards, such as encryption, authentication, and logging, to protect the IM system from malware attacks. Blocking attachments in IM, blocking external IMtraffic, and encrypting IM traffic are also possible controls to mitigate the malware risk, but they are not as effective as allowing only corporate IM solutions. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 5, Section 5.4.4

 This should be the IS auditor’s greatest concern, because it means that the organization has not considered the potential impact of the cloud document storage solution on its ability to continue its operations in the event of a disruption or disaster. A BCP is a document that outlines the procedures and actions to be taken in order to maintain or resume critical business functions during and after a crisis. A BCP should be updated whenever there is a significant change in the organization’s IT infrastructure, systems, processes, or dependencies, such as implementing a cloud document storage solution. The IS auditor should verify that the BCP reflects the current state of the organization’s IT environment, and that it addresses the risks, challenges, and opportunities associated with the cloud document storage solution.

The other options are not as concerning as the BCP not being updated:

Users are not required to sign updated acceptable use agreements. This is a minor concern, but it does not pose a major threat to the organization’s business continuity. Acceptable use agreements are documents that define the rules and guidelines for using IT resources, such as the cloud document storage solution. Users should sign updated acceptable use agreements to acknowledge their responsibilities and obligations, and to comply with the organization’s policies and standards. However, this does not affect the organization’s ability to continue its operations in a crisis.

Users have not been trained on the new system. This is a moderate concern, but it does not jeopardize the organization’s business continuity. Training users on the new system is important to ensure that they can use it effectively and efficiently, and to avoid errors or misuse that could compromise the security or performance of the system. However, this does not prevent the organization from accessing or restoring its data in a crisis.

Mobile devices are not encrypted. This is a serious concern, but it does not directly impact the organization’s business continuity. Encrypting mobile devices is a security measure thatprotects the data stored on them from unauthorized access or disclosure in case of loss or theft. However, this does not affect the availability or integrity of the data stored in the cloud document storage solution, which should have its own encryption mechanisms.

 Incremental backups are backups that only copy the data that has changed since the last backup, whether it was a full or incremental backup. The main reason to use incremental backups is to minimize the backup time and resources, as they require less storage space and network bandwidth than full backups. Incremental backups can also improve key availability metrics, such as recovery point objective (RPO) and recovery time objective (RTO), but that is not their primary purpose. Reducing costs associated with backups and increasing backup resiliency and redundancy are possible benefits of incremental backups, but they depend on other factors, such as the backup frequency, retention policy, and media type. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version): Chapter 5 - Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience

This should be the first thing that an IS auditor considers when evaluating firewall rules, because it defines the objectives, standards, and guidelines for securing the organization’s network and information assets. The firewall rules should be aligned with the organization’s security policy, and reflect the level of risk and protection required for each type of network traffic, system, or data. The IS auditor should compare the firewall rules with the security policy, and identify any discrepancies, gaps, or conflicts that could compromise the security or performance of the network.

The other options are not as important as the organization’s security policy when evaluating firewall rules:

The number of remote nodes. This is a factor that may affect the complexity and scalability of the firewall rules, but it is not a primary consideration for the IS auditor. Remote nodes are devices or systems that connect to the network from outside locations, such as teleworkers, mobile users, or branch offices. The IS auditor should ensure that the firewall rules provide adequate security and access control for remote nodes, but this depends on the organization’s security policy and business needs.

The firewalls’ default settings. These are the predefined configurations that come with the firewall devices or software, and that determine how they handle network traffic by default. The IS auditor should review the firewalls’ default settings, and verify that they are appropriate and secure for the organization’s network environment. However, the firewalls’ default settings may not match the organization’s security policy or specific requirements, and may need to be customized or overridden by firewall rules.

The physical location of the firewalls. This is a factor that may affect the placement and design of the firewall rules, but it is not a critical consideration for the IS auditor. The physical location of the firewalls refers to where they are installed or deployed in relation to the network topology, such as at the network perimeter, between network segments, or on individual hosts. The IS auditor should ensure that the firewall rules are consistent and coordinated across different locations, but this depends on the organization’s security policy and network architecture.

Penetration testing is a method of evaluating the security of a system or network by simulating an attack from a malicious source. Penetration testing typically consists of four phases: planning, discovery, attacks, and reporting. In the discovery phase, penetration testers gather information about the target system or network, such as host detection, domain name system (DNS) interrogation, port scanning, service identification, operating system fingerprinting, vulnerability scanning, etc. This information can help to identify potential entry points, weaknesses, or vulnerabilities that can be exploited in the subsequent attack phase. Host detection and DNS interrogation are techniques that can be used in the discovery phase to determine the active hosts and their IP addresses and hostnames on the target network. References: [ISACA CISA Review Manual 27th Edition], page 368.

The best way to determine whether programmers have permission to alter data in the production environment is by reviewing the access rights that have been granted. Access rights are permissions or privileges that define what actions or operations a user can perform on an information system or resource. By reviewing the access rights that have been granted to programmers, an IS auditor can verify whether they have been authorized to modify data in the production environment, which is where live data and applications are stored and executed. The access control system’s log settings are parameters that define what events or activities are recorded by the access control system, which is a system that enforces the access rights and policies of an information system or resource. The access control system’s log settings are not the best way to determine whether programmers have permission to alter data in the production environment, as they do not indicate what permissions or privileges have been granted to programmers. How the latest system changes were implemented is a process that describes how software updates or modifications are deployed to the production environment. How the latest system changes were implemented is not the best way to determine whether programmers have permission to alter data in the production environment, as it does not indicate what permissions or privileges have been granted to programmers. The access control system’s configuration is a set of rules or parameters that define how the access control system operates and functions. The access control system’s configuration is not the best way to determine whether programmers have permission to alter data in the production environment, as it does not indicate what permissions or privileges have been granted to programmers. 

 Stress testing is a type of performance testing that evaluates the behavior and reliability of a system under extreme conditions, such as high workload, limited resources, or concurrent users. Stress testing should ideally be carried out under a test environment with production workloads, as this would simulate the most realistic and demanding scenario for the system without affecting the actual production environment. A production environment with production workloads is not suitable for stress testing, as it could cause disruption or damage to the system and its users. A production environment with test data is not suitable for stress testing, as it could compromise the integrity and security of the production data. A test environment with test data is not suitable for stress testing, as it could underestimate the potential issues and risks that could occur in the production environment. References:

CISA Review Manual, 27th Edition, pages 471-4721

CISA Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Database,Question ID: 261

The greatest advantage of vulnerability scanning over penetration testing is that the testing process can be automated to cover large groups of assets. Vulnerability scanning is an automated, high-level security test that reports its findings of known vulnerabilities in systems, networks, applications, and devices. Vulnerability scanning can be performed frequently, quickly, and efficiently to scan a large number of assets and identify potential weaknesses that need to be addressed. Vulnerability scanning can also help organizations comply with security standards and regulations, such as PCI DSS1.

The other options are not as advantageous as option D, as they may not reflect the true benefits or limitations of vulnerability scanning compared to penetration testing. The testing produces a lower number of false positive results, but this is not necessarily true, as vulnerability scanning may report vulnerabilities that are not exploitable or relevant in the context of the organization. Network bandwidth is utilized more efficiently, but this may not be a significant advantage, as vulnerability scanning may still consume considerable network resources depending on the scope and frequency of the scans. Custom-developed applications can be tested more accurately, but this is also not true, as vulnerability scanning may not be able to detect complex or unknown vulnerabilities that require manual analysis or exploitation.

The first thing that should be done before allowing users to connect personal devices to the corporate network is to implement an acceptable use policy. An acceptable use policy is a document that defines the rules and guidelines for using personal devices on the corporate network, such as security requirements, access rights, responsibilities, and consequences. An acceptable use policy can help to protect the organization from potential risks such as data leakage, malware infection, or legal liability. The other options are not as important as implementing an acceptable use policy, as they do not establish the boundaries and expectations for using personal devices on the corporate network. References: CISA Review Manual, 27th Edition, page 318

According to the ISACA’s Information Security Governance Guidance for Boards of Directors and Executive Management, the highest level of maturity of an information security program is Level 5: Optimized, which means that the program is aligned with the business objectives and strategy, and continuously monitors and improves its performance and effectiveness. A framework is in place to measure risks and track effectiveness, and the program is proactive, adaptive, and innovative.

The other options represent lower levels of maturity:

A training program is in place to promote information security awareness. This is Level 2: Repeatable, which means that the program has some basic policies and procedures, and provides awareness training to employees.

Information security policies and procedures are established. This is Level 3: Defined, which means that the program has formalized policies and procedures, and assigns roles and responsibilities for information security.

The program meets regulatory and compliance requirements. This is Level 4: Managed, which means that the program has established metrics and reporting mechanisms, and complies with relevant laws and regulations.

The best source of information for an IS auditor to use when determining whether an organization’s information security policy is adequate is the risk assessment results. The risk assessment results provide the auditor with an overview of the organization’s risk profile, including the identification, analysis, and evaluation of the risks that affect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the information assets. The auditor can use the risk assessment results to compare the organization’s information security policy with the risk appetite, risk tolerance, and risk treatment strategies of the organization. The auditor can also use the risk assessment results to evaluate if the information security policy is aligned with the organization’s objectives, requirements, and regulations.

Some of the web sources that support this answer are:

Performance Measurement Guide for Information Security

ISO 27001 Annex A.5 - Information Security Policies

[CISA Certified Information Systems Auditor – Question0551]

The observation that should be of most concern to the auditor when reviewing security controls related to collaboration tools for a business unit responsible for intellectual property and patents is that employees can share files with users outside the company through collaboration tools. Collaboration tools are software or hardware devices that enable users to communicate, cooperate, and coordinate with each other on a common task or project. Collaboration tools can facilitate information sharing and knowledge exchange among users, but they can also pose security risks if not properly controlled or managed. Employees can share files with users outside the company through collaboration tools, as this can compromise the security and confidentiality of intellectual property and patents, which are valuable and sensitive assets of the organization. Employees may share files with unauthorized or untrusted users who may misuse or disclose the intellectual property and patents, either intentionally or unintentionally. This can cause harm or damage to the organization, such as loss of competitive advantage, reputation, revenue, or legal rights. Training was not provided to the department that handles intellectual property and patents is a possible observation that could indicate a security issue related to collaboration tools for a business unit responsible for intellectual property and patents, but it is not the most concerning one. Training is anactivity that educates and instructs users on how to use collaboration tools effectively and securely, such as how to access, share, store, and protect information using collaboration tools. Training was not provided to the department that handles intellectual property and patents, as this can affect the awareness and competence of users on collaboration tools, and increase the likelihood of errors or mistakes that may compromise the security or quality of information. However, this observation may not be directly related to collaboration tools, as it may apply to any information system or resource used by the department. Logging and monitoring for content filtering is not enabled is a possible observation that could indicate a security issue related to collaboration tools for a business unit responsible for intellectual property and patents, but it is not the most concerning one. Logging and monitoring are processes that record and analyze the events or activities that occur on an information system or network, such as user actions, system operations, data changes, errors, alerts, etc. Content filtering is a technique that blocks or allows access to certain types of information based on predefined criteria or rules, such as keywords, categories, sources, etc. Logging and monitoring for content filtering is not enabled, as this can affect the auditability, accountability, and visibility of collaboration tools, and prevent detection or investigation of security incidents or violations related to information sharing using collaboration tools. However, this observation may not be specific to collaboration tools, as it may affect any information system or network that uses content filtering. The collaboration tool is hosted and can only be accessed via an Internet browser is a possible observation that could indicate a security issue related to collaboration tools for a business unit responsible for intellectual property and patents, but it is not the most concerning one. A hosted collaboration tool is a type of cloud-based service that provides collaboration functionality over the Internet without requiring installation or maintenance on local devices. An Internet browser is a software application that enables users to access and interact with web-based content or services. The collaboration tool is hosted and can only be accessed via an Internet browser, as this can affect the availability and reliability of collaboration tools, and introduce security or privacy risks for information sharing using collaboration tools. However, this observation may not be unique to collaboration tools, as it may apply to any cloud-based service that uses an Internet browser. 

Using analytical tools to produce exception reports from the system and performance monitoring software is the most effective plan of action for a company that purchased and implemented system and performance monitoring software. Exception reports are reports that highlight deviations or anomalies from predefined thresholds or standards. Using analytical tools to produce exception reports can help to reduce the size and complexity of the system and performance monitoring reports, as well as to focus on the most relevant and critical information for review and action. The other options are less effective plans of action, as they may involve unnecessary costs, risks, or efforts. References:

CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 4, Section 4.2.21

CISA Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Database, Question ID 219

 Identifying business processes associated with personal data exchange with the affected jurisdiction is the most helpful activity in making an assessment of the organization’s level of exposure in the affected country. An IS auditor should understand how the organization’s business operations and functions rely on or involve the cross-border transfer of personal data, as well as the potentialimpacts and risks of the new regulation on the business continuity and compliance. The other options are less helpful activities that may provide additional information or context for the assessment, but not its primary focus. References:

CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 7, Section 7.4.21

CISA Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Database, Question ID 221

 Requiring written authorization for all payment transactions is the IS auditor’s best recommendation for a compensating control in an environment where segregation of duties (SoD) cannot be enforced in an accounts payable system. SoD is a principle that requires different individuals or functions to perform different tasks or roles in a business process, such as initiating, approving, recording and reconciling transactions. SoD reduces the risk of errors, fraud and misuse of resources by preventing any single person or function from having excessive or conflicting authority or responsibility. A compensating control is a control that mitigates or reduces the risk associated with the absence or weakness of another control. Requiring written authorization for all payment transactions is a compensating control that provides an independent verification and approval of each transaction before it is processed by the accounts payable system. This control can help to detect and prevent unauthorized, duplicate or erroneous payments, and to ensure compliance with policies and procedures. The other options are not as effective as option A, as they do not provide an independent verification or approval of payment transactions. Restricting payment authorization to senior staff members is a control that limits the number of people who can authorize payments, but it does not prevent them from initiating or processing payments themselves, which could violate SoD. Reconciling payment transactions with invoices is a control that verifies that the payments match the invoices, but it does not prevent unauthorized, duplicate or erroneous payments from being processed by the accounts payable system. Reviewing payment transaction history is a control that monitors and analyzes thepayment transactions after they have been processed by the accounts payable system, but it does not prevent unauthorized, duplicate or erroneous payments from occurring in the first place. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version) , Chapter 5: Protection of Information Assets, Section 5.2: Logical Access.

Unauthorized changes can be moved into production is the best concern that is addressed by securing production source libraries. Production source libraries contain the source code of programs that are used in the production environment. Securing production source libraries means implementing access controls, change management procedures, and audit trails to prevent unauthorized or improper changes to the source code that could affect the functionality, performance, or security of the production programs. The other options are less relevant concerns that may not be directly addressed by securing production source libraries, but rather by other controls such as program approval, version control, or change testing. References:

CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 4, Section 4.2.3.21

CISA Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Database, Question ID 213

Reviewing the last compile date of production programs is the most efficient way to detect unauthorized changes to production programs, as it can quickly identify any discrepancies between the expected and actual dates of program modification. The last compile date is a timestamp that indicates when a program was last compiled or translated from source code to executable code. Any changes to the source code would require a recompilation, which would update the last compile date. The IS auditor can compare the last compile date of production programs with the authorizedchange requests and reports to verify that only approved changes were implemented. The other options are not as efficient as option A, as they are more time-consuming, labor-intensive or error-prone. Manually comparing code in production programs to controlled copies is a method of verifying that the code in production matches the code in a secure repository or library, but it requires access to both versions of code and a tool or technique to compare them line by line. Periodically running and reviewing test data against production programs is a method of verifying that the programs produce the expected outputs and results, but it requires designing, executing and evaluating test cases for each program. Verifying user management approval of modifications is a method of verifying that the changes to production programs were authorized and documented, but it does not ensure that the changes were implemented correctly or accurately. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version) , Chapter 4: Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience, Section 4.3: Change Management Practices.

 Social engineering is a technique that exploits human weaknesses, such as trust, curiosity, or greed, to obtain information or access from a target. An employee is induced to reveal confidential IP addresses and passwords by answering questions over the phone is an example of a social engineering attack method, as it involves manipulating the employee into divulging sensitive information that can be used to compromise the network or system. A hacker walks around an office building using scanning tools to search for a wireless network to gain access, an intruder eavesdrops and collects sensitive information flowing through the network and sells it to third parties, and an unauthorized person attempts to gain access to secure premises by following an authorized person through a secure door are not examples of social engineering attack methods, as they do not involve human interaction or deception. References: [ISACA CISA Review Manual 27th Edition], page 361.

 The waterfall life cycle model of software development is best suited for situations where the project requirements are well understood. The waterfall life cycle model is a sequential and linear approach to software development that consists of several phases, such as planning, analysis, design, implementation, testing, and maintenance. Each phase depends on the completion and approval of the previous phase before proceeding to the next phase. The waterfall life cycle model is best suited for situations where the project requirements are well understood, as it assumes that the requirements are clear, stable, and fixed at the beginning of the project, and do not change significantly throughout the project. The project is subject to time pressures is not a situation where the waterfall life cycle model of software development is best suited, as it may not be flexible or agile enough to accommodate changes or adjustments in the project schedule or timeline. The waterfall life cycle model may involve long delays or dependencies between phases, and may not allow for early feedback or delivery of software products. The project intends to apply an object-oriented design approach is not a situation where the waterfall life cycle model of software development is best suited, as it may not be compatible or effective with the object-oriented design approach. The object-oriented design approach is a technique that models software as a collection of interacting objects that have attributes and behaviors. The object-oriented design approach may require iterative and incremental development methods that allow for dynamic and adaptive changes in software design and functionality. The project will involve the use of new technology is not a situation where the waterfall life cycle model of software development is best suited, as it may not be able to cope with the uncertainty or complexity of new technology. The waterfall life cycle model may not allow for sufficient exploration or experimentation with new technology, and may not be able to handle changes or issues that arise from new technology.

A change log is a record of all changes made to a system or application, including the date, time, description, and approval of each change. A change log can help an IS auditor to trace the source and authorization of a modification to a system’s security settings. A system event correlation report is a tool that analyzes data from multiple sources to identify patterns and anomalies that indicate potential security incidents. A database log is a record of all transactions and activities performed on a database, such as queries, updates, and backups. A security incident and event management (SIEM) report is a tool that collects, analyzes, and reports on data from various sources to detect and respond to security incidents. 

The IS auditor’s next step after determining that many terminated users’ accounts were not disabled is to perform a review of terminated users’ account activity. This means that the IS auditor should check whether any of the terminated users’ accounts were accessed or used after their termination date, which could indicate unauthorized or fraudulent activity. The IS auditor should also assess the impact and risk of such activity on the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of IT resources and data. The other options are not as appropriate as performing a review of terminated users’ account activity, as they do not provide sufficient evidence or assurance of the extent and effect of the problem. References: CISA Review Manual, 27th Edition, page 240

The impact if corrective actions are not taken is the most important factor to consider when scheduling follow-up audits. An IS auditor should prioritize the follow-up audits based on the risk and potential consequences of not addressing the audit findings and recommendations. The other options are less important factors that may affect the timing and scope of the follow-up audits, but not their necessity or urgency. References:

CISA Review Manual(Digital Version), Chapter 2, Section 2.5.31

CISA Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Database, Question ID 207

The condition that would be of most concern to an IS auditor assessing the risk of a successful brute force attack against encrypted data at rest is short key length. A brute force attack is a method of breaking encryption by trying all possible combinations of keys until finding the correct one. The shorter the key length, the easier it is for an attacker to guess or crack the encryption. Random key generation, use of symmetric encryption, and use of asymmetric encryption are not conditions that would increase the risk of a successful brute force attack. In fact, random key generation can enhance security by preventing predictable patterns in key selection. Symmetric encryption and asymmetric encryption are different types of encryption that have their own advantages and disadvantages, but neither is inherently more vulnerable to brute force attacks than the other. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version): Chapter 5 - Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience

The IS auditor’s primary concern when an organization has recently implemented a Voice-over IP (VoIP) communication system is a single point of failure for both voice and data communications. VoIP is a technology that allows voice communication over IP networks such as the internet. VoIP can offer benefits such as lower costs, higher flexibility, and better integration with other applications. However, VoIP also introduces risks such as dependency on network availability, performance, and security. If both voice and data communications share the same network infrastructure and devices, then a single point of failure can affect both services simultaneously and cause significant disruption to business operations. Therefore, the IS auditor should evaluate the availability and redundancy of the network components and devices that support VoIP communication. The other options are not as critical as a single point of failure for both voice and data communications, as they do not pose a direct threat to business continuity. References: CISA Review Manual, 27th Edition, page 385

 Risk assessment is a mandatory part of the annual audit planning process, as it helps to identify and prioritize the areas that pose the highest risk to the organization’s objectives and operations. Risk assessment involves analyzing the internal and external factors that affect the organization’s risk profile, evaluating the likelihood and impact of potential events or scenarios, assessing the existing controls and mitigation strategies, and determining the residual risk level. Based on the risk assessment results, the IS auditor can allocate resources and schedule audits accordingly. A business impact analysis (BIA) is a process that identifies and evaluates the critical business functions and processes that could be disrupted by a disaster or incident, and estimates the potential impact on the organization’s operations, reputation and finances. A BIA is not a mandatory part of the annual audit planning process, but it can be used as an input for risk assessment or as a subject for audit. Fieldwork is the phase of an audit where the IS auditor collects evidence to support the audit objectives and conclusions. Fieldwork is not part of the annual audit planning process, but it is part of each individual audit engagement. A risk control matrix is a tool that maps the risks identified in a risk assessment to the controls that mitigate them. A risk control matrix is not a mandatory part of the annual audit planning process, but it can be used as an output of risk assessment or as a tool for audit testing. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version) 1, Chapter 1: Information Systems Auditing Process, Section 1.2: Audit Planning.

The most helpful thing to ensure the integrity of the system throughout the change when moving from one database management system (DBMS) to another is preserving the same data structure. A DBMS is a software system that manages and manipulates data stored in a database, such as creating, updating, querying, deleting, etc. A database is a collection of structured or organized data that can be accessed or manipulated by a DBMS. A data structure is a way of organizing or arranging data in a database, such as tables, columns, rows, keys, indexes, etc. Preserving the same data structure when moving from one DBMS to another can help ensure the integrity of the system throughout the change, by maintaining the consistency and accuracy of data in the database, and avoiding any errors or issues that may arise from incompatible or inconsistent data structures between different DBMSs. Preserving the same data classifications is a possible thing to ensure the integrity of the system throughout the change when moving from one DBMS to another, but it is not the most helpful one. Data classifications are categories or labels that define the level of sensitivity or importance of data in a database, such as public, confidential, secret, etc. Data classifications can help protect the security and privacy of data in the database by applying appropriate controls or restrictions on data access or use based on their classifications. Preserving the same data classifications when moving from one DBMS to another can help ensure the integrity of the system throughout the change by preventing unauthorized or inappropriate access or use of data in the database. However, this may not be directly related to the DBMS change, as it may apply to any data migration or transfer process. Preserving the same data inputs is a possible thing to ensure the integrity of the system throughout the change when moving from one DBMS to another, but it is not the most helpful one. Data inputs are sources or methods that provide data to a database, such as user inputs, sensors, files, etc. Data inputs can affect the quality and validity of data in the database by introducing errors or inconsistencies in data entry or collection. Preserving the same data inputs when moving from one DBMS to another can help ensure the integrity of the system throughout the change by reducing errors or inconsistencies in data input or collection. 

 A nondisclosure agreement (NDA) is the best way to protect an organization’s proprietary code during a joint-development activity involving a third party. An NDA is a legal contract that binds the parties involved in a joint-development activity to keep confidential any information, data or materials that are shared or exchanged during the activity. An NDA specifies what constitutes confidential information, how it can be used, disclosed or protected, how long it remains confidential, what are the exceptions and remedies for breach of confidentiality, and other terms and conditions. An NDA can help to protect an organization’s proprietary code from being copied, modified, distributed or exploited by unauthorized parties without its consent or knowledge. The other options are not as effective as option B, as they do not address confidentiality issues specifically. A statement of work (SOW) is a document that defines the scope, objectives, deliverables, tasks, roles, responsibilities, timelines and costs of a joint-development activity, but it does not cover confidentiality issues explicitly. A service level agreement (SLA) is a document that defines the quality, performance and availability standards and metrics for a service provided by one party to another party in a joint-development activity, but it does not cover confidentiality issues explicitly. A privacy agreement is a document that defines how personal information collected from customers or users is collected, used, disclosed and protected by one party or both parties in a joint-development activity, but it does not cover confidentiality issues related to proprietary code. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version) , Chapter 3: Information Systems Acquisition, Development & Implementation, Section 3.2: Project Management Practices.

 During an audit of a multinational bank’s disposal process, an IS auditor should be most concerned about backup media being disposed before the end of the retention period. This is because backup media contain sensitive and critical data that may be required for business continuity, legal compliance, or forensic purposes. Disposing backup media prematurely may result in data loss, unavailability, or corruption, which may have severe consequences for the bank’s reputation, operations, and security. Backup media not being reviewed before disposal, degaussing being used instead of physical shredding, and hardware not being destroyed by a certified vendor are also findings that may pose some risks to the bank’s disposal process, but they are not as critical as backup media being disposed before the end of the retention period. References: ISACA CISA Review Manual 27th Edition, page 302.

A key performance indicator (KPI) is a quantifiable measure of performance over time for a specific objective1. KPIs help organizations and teams track their progress and achievements towards their strategic goals. To be useful, a KPI must have a target value, which is the desired level of performance or outcome that the organization or team aims to achieve. A target value provides a clear direction and a benchmark for measuring success or failure. Without a target value, a KPI is meaningless, as it does not indicate whether the performance is good or bad, or how far or close the organization or team is from reaching their objective.

The most important task for an IS auditor to perform after the merger of two organizations is to verify that access privileges have been reviewed. Access privileges are the permissions granted to users, groups, or roles to access, modify, or manage IT resources, such as systems, applications, data, or networks. After a merger, the IS auditor should ensure that the access privileges of both organizations are aligned with the new business objectives, policies, and processes, and that there are no conflicts, overlaps, or gaps in the access rights. The IS auditor should also verify that the access privileges are based on the principle of least privilege, which means that users are granted only the minimum level of access required to perform their tasks.

The other options are not as important as verifying that access privileges have been reviewed:

Investigating access rights for expiration dates is a useful task, but it is not the most important one. Expiration dates are the dates when access rights are automatically revoked or suspended after a certain period of time or after a specific event. The IS auditor should check that the expiration dates are set appropriately and enforced consistently, but this is not as critical as reviewing the access privileges themselves.

Updating the continuity plan for critical resources is a necessary task, but it is not the most urgent one. A continuity plan is a document that outlines the procedures and actions to be taken in the event of a disruption or disaster that affects the availability of IT resources. The IS auditor should update the continuity plan to reflect the changes and dependencies introduced by the merger, but this can be done after verifying that the access privileges are secure and compliant.

Updating the security policy is an essential task, but it is not the most immediate one. A security policy is a document that defines the rules and guidelines for securing IT resources and protecting information assets. The IS auditor should update the security policy to incorporate the best practices and standards of both organizations, and to address any new risks or threats posed by the merger, but this can be done after verifying that the access privileges are aligned with the policy.

The first action that an IS auditor should take when finding a high-risk vulnerability in a public-facing web server used to process online customer payments is to identify compensating controls. Compensating controls are alternative or additional controls that provide reasonable assurance of mitigating the risk of exploiting the vulnerability. The IS auditor should assess the effectiveness of the compensating controls and determine whether they reduce the risk to an acceptable level. If not, the IS auditor should recommend remediation actions to address the vulnerability. Documenting the exception in an audit report is an important action, but it should not be the first action, as it does not address the urgency of the situation. Reviewing security incident reports is a useful action, but it should not be the first action, as it does not provide assurance of preventing future incidents. Notifying the audit committee is a necessary action, but it should not be the first action, as it does not involve taking any corrective measures. References:

CISA Review Manual, 27th Edition, pages 295-2961

CISA Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Database, Question ID: 260

Comprehensive and Detailed Step-by-Step Explanation:

To ensurecompleteness of outbound transactions, alog with periodic validationis thebest control.

Option A (Incorrect):Edit checkshelp withdata accuracy, not completeness.

Option B (Incorrect):Sequential numberingdetects missing transactions but does not verifyactual transmission.

Option C (Incorrect):Recipient ID validationis important foraccuracy, not for ensuring all transactions are sent.

Option D (Correct):Maintaining and validating transaction logsensures thatall outbound transactions are properly accounted for, making it the best completeness control.