CISM Exam Dumps - Isaca Certification Questions and Answers

Residual risk is the risk that remains after applying controls to mitigate the original risk. It is important to assess the residual risk after remediation to ensure that it is within the acceptable level and tolerance of the organization. (From CISM Review Manual 15th Edition)

The primary purpose of identifying vulnerabilities is to remediate them before they can be exploited by malicious actors. While risk reporting and prioritization are part of the overall process, the most immediate goal is remediation.

“Vulnerability assessments identify weaknesses that need to be addressed to reduce risk to acceptable levels and prevent potential exploits.”

— CISM Review Manual 15th Edition, Chapter 2: Risk Management, Section: Risk Assessment and Analysis

This aligns with ISACA’s official practice questions, where vulnerability identification directly aims to prevent exploitation.

Review of security metrics trends is the best evidence to senior management that security control performance has improved because it helps to measure and demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the security controls over time. Security metrics are quantitative or qualitative indicators that provide information about the security status or performance of an organization, system, process, or activity. Security metrics can be used to evaluate the implementation, operation, and outcome of security controls, such as the number of vulnerabilities detected and remediated, the time to respond and recover from incidents, the compliance level with security policies and standards, or the return on security investment. Review of security metrics trends helps to identify and communicate the progress, achievements, and challenges of the security program, as well as to support decision making and continuous improvement. Therefore, review of security metrics trends is the correct answer.

Cybersecurity policies are the high-level statements that define the organization’s objectives, principles, and expectations for protecting its information assets from cyber threats. Cybersecurity policies provide the foundation for developing and implementing cybersecurity strategies, plans, procedures, standards, and guidelines. However, cybersecurity policies alone are not enough to ensure effective cybersecurity. The organization also needs to allocate sufficient budget resources to support the implementation and maintenance of cybersecurity controls, such as hardware, software, personnel, training, testing, auditing, and incident response. Sufficient cyber budget allocation demonstrates the organization’s commitment to cybersecurity and enables it to achieve its cybersecurity goals. References: https://www.isaca.org/credentialing/cism https://www.wiley.com/en-us/CISM+Certified+Information+Security+Manager+Study+Guide-p-9781119801948

The next thing that an information security manager should do after creating a roadmap to execute the strategy for an information security program is D. Develop a project plan to implement the strategy. This is because a project plan is a detailed document that outlines the scope, objectives, deliverables, milestones, tasks, resources, roles, responsibilities, risks, and dependencies of the implementation process. A project plan can help the information security manager to organize, coordinate, monitor, and control the activities and resources required to execute the strategy and achieve the desired outcomes. A project plan can also facilitate communication, collaboration, and reporting among the project team, stakeholders, and sponsors.

A project plan is a detailed document that outlines the scope, objectives, deliverables, milestones, tasks, resources, roles, responsibilities, risks, and dependencies of the implementation process. (From CISM Manual or related resources)

References = CISM Review Manual 15th Edition, Chapter 3, Section 3.1.2, page 1281; CISM Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Manual 9th Edition, Question 74, page 19

= Establishing an information security strategy committee is the best way to obtain support for a new organization-wide information security program because it involves the participation and collaboration of key stakeholders from different business functions and levels who can provide input, guidance, and endorsement for the security program. An information security strategy committee is a governance body that oversees the development, implementation, and maintenance of the security program and aligns it with the organization’s strategic objectives, risk appetite, and culture. An information security strategy committee can help to obtain support for the security program by:

Communicating the vision, mission, and goals of the security program to the organization and demonstrating its value and benefits.

Establishing roles and responsibilities for the security program and ensuring accountability and ownership.

Securing adequate resources and budget for the security program and allocating them appropriately.

Resolving conflicts and issues that may arise during the security program execution and ensuring alignment with other business processes and initiatives.

Monitoring and evaluating the performance and effectiveness of the security program and ensuring continuous improvement and adaptation.

Benchmarking against similar industry organizations is a useful technique to compare and improve the security program, but it is not the best way to obtain support for a new organization-wide information security program. Benchmarking involves measuring and analyzing the security program’s processes, practices, and outcomes against those of other organizations that have similar characteristics, objectives, or challenges. Benchmarking can help to identify gaps, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in the security program and to adopt best practices and standards that can enhance the security program’s performance and maturity. However, benchmarking alone does not guarantee the support or acceptance of the security program by the organization, as it may not reflect the organization’s specific needs, risks, or culture.

Delivering an information security awareness campaign is a vital component of the security program, but it is not the best way to obtain support for a new organization-wide information security program. An information security awareness campaign is a set of activities and initiatives that aim to educate and inform the organization’s workforce and other relevant parties about the security program’s policies, standards, procedures, and guidelines, as well as the security risks, threats, and incidents that may affect the organization. An information security awareness campaign can help to increase the security knowledge, skills, and behaviors of the organization’s members and to foster a security risk-aware culture. However, an information security awareness campaign is not sufficient to obtain support for the security program, as it may not address the strategic, operational, or financial aspects of the security program or the expectations and interests of the different stakeholders.

Publishing an information security RACI chart is a helpful tool to define and communicate the security program’s roles and responsibilities, but it is not the best way to obtain support for a new organization-wide information security program. A RACI chart is a matrix that assigns the level of involvement and accountability for each task or activity in the security program to each role or stakeholder. RACI stands for Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed, which are the four possible levels of participation. A RACI chart can help to clarify the expectations, obligations, and authority of each role or stakeholder in the security program and to avoid duplication, confusion, or conflict. However, a RACI chart does not ensure the support or commitment of the roles or stakeholders for the security program, as it may not address the benefits, challenges, or resources of the security program or the feedback and input of the roles or stakeholders. References =

CISM Review Manual 15th Edition, pages 97-98, 103-104, 107-108, 111-112

Information Security Governance: Guidance for Boards of Directors and Executive Management, 2nd Edition - ISACA1

Information Security Strategy: The Key to Success - ISACA2

Deliver an information security awareness campaign is the BEST approach to obtain support for a new organization-wide information security program. An information security awareness campaign is a great way to raise awareness of the importance of information security and the impact it can have on an organization. It helps to ensure that all stakeholders understand the importance of information security and are aware of the risks associated with it. Additionally, an effective awareness campaign can help to ensure that everyone in the organization is aware of the cybersecurity policies, procedures, and best practices that must be followed.

A mature information security program is one that is aligned with the business strategy, objectives, and culture, and that delivers value to the organization by effectively managing the information security risks and enhancing the security posture. Optimizing the security resources means that the program uses the available human, financial, and technical resources in the most efficient and effective way, and that it continuously monitors and improves the performance and maturity of the security processes and controls.

References = CISM Review Manual 2022, page 331; CISM Exam Content Outline, Domain 1, Knowledge Statement 1.22; What is a Mature Information Security Program?; How to Measure the Maturity of Your Cybersecurity Program

The fundamental purpose of establishing security metrics is to provide feedback on the effectiveness of the information security controls and processes. Security metrics are quantitative or qualitative measures that indicate how well the organization is achieving its security objectives and goals. Security metrics can help the information security manager to monitor, evaluate, and improve the performance of the information security program, as well as to identify gaps, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. Security metrics can also help the organization to demonstrate compliance with internal and external standards, regulations, and best practices. Increasing return on investment (ROI), adopting security best practices, and establishing security benchmarks are possible outcomes or benefits of using security metrics, but they are not the fundamental purpose of establishing them. References = CISM Review Manual, 16th Edition, pages 46-471; CISM Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Manual, 10th Edition, page 642

Learn more:

1. isaca.org2. amazon.com3. gov.uk

Security metrics are used to measure the effectiveness of controls and evaluate the overall security posture of an organization. This feedback provides an understanding of the progress made towards achieving security objectives and allows organizations to make necessary adjustments.

Security-related KRIs are metrics that measure the effectiveness of the information security profile in achieving the business objectives and managing the risks. Reviewing security-related KRIs can help to determine if the information security profile is aligned with business requirements, as they reflect the security performance and outcomes that are relevant for the business. Reviewing other options, such as KPIs, CSAs, or audits, may provide some insights into the security status, but they are not the best way to assess the alignment with business requirements, as they may not capture the business context and goals adequately. References:

https://www.nist.gov/cyberframework/examples-framework-profiles

https://www.isaca.org/resources/isaca-journal/issues/2019/volume-5/accountability-for-information-security-roles-and-responsibilities-part-1

https://www.isaca.org/resources/isaca-journal/issues/2017/volume-4/enterprise-security-architecturea-top-down-approach

When a risk is determined to be below the organization’s risk appetite, the most appropriate course of action is to formally accept the risk. Risk acceptance is a valid and cost-effective strategy when the impact and likelihood are within acceptable limits, and the cost of mitigation outweighs the potential loss.

"Risk acceptance is an appropriate response when the level of residual risk is within the organization’s defined risk tolerance and appetite.”

— CISM Review Manual 15th Edition, Chapter 2: Risk Response and Mitigation*

Avoidance, transfer, or mitigation may be overreactions that waste resources in this context.

Assessing the consequences of noncompliance is the next step that should be done after determining that there are a significant number of exceptions to a newly released industry-required security standard. The information security manager should evaluate the potential impact and exposure of the organization due to the noncompliance with the security standard. The assessment should consider the legal, regulatory, contractual, and reputational implications of the noncompliance, as well as the likelihood and severity of the incidents or penalties that may result from the noncompliance. The assessment should also compare the cost and benefit of complying with the security standard versus accepting the risk of noncompliance. The assessment should provide the basis for making informed and rational decisions about how to address the noncompliance issue and prioritize the actions and resources needed to achieve compliance. Documenting risk acceptances, revising the organization’s security policy, and conducting an information security audit are all possible actions that may be taken to address the noncompliance issue, but they are not the next steps that should be done. These actions should be performed after assessing the consequences of noncompliance, and based on the results and recommendations of the assessment. Documenting risk acceptances may be appropriate if the organization decides to accept the risk of noncompliance, and if the risk is within the risk appetite and tolerance of the organization. Revising the organization’s security policy may be necessary if the organization decides to comply with the security standard, and if the policy needs to be updated to reflect the new requirements and expectations. Conducting an information security audit may be useful if the organization wants to verify the level of compliance and identify the gaps and weaknesses in the security controls and processes. Therefore, assessing the consequences of noncompliance is the next step that should be done after determining that there are a significant number of exceptions to a newly released industry-required security standard, as it helps the information security manager to understand the risk and impact of the noncompliance and to make informed and rational decisions about how to address it. References = CISM Review Manual 2023, page 43 1; CISM Practice Quiz 2

This answer best indicates the effectiveness of the vendor risk management process because it shows that the organization has established and enforced clear and consistent security requirements and expectations for its vendors, and that the vendors have demonstrated their compliance and commitment to security best practices. A globally recognized security standard, such as ISO 27001, NIST CSF, or COBIT, provides a comprehensive and objective framework for assessing and improving the security posture and performance of vendors.

Information security program metrics are the best way to demonstrate the status of an organization’s information security program to the board of directors, as they provide relevant and meaningful information on the performance, effectiveness, and value of the program, as well as the current and emerging risks and the corresponding mitigation strategies. Information security program metrics should be aligned with the business objectives and risk appetite of the organization, and should be presented in a clear and concise manner that enables the board of directors to make informed decisions and provide oversight. (From CISM Review Manual 15th Edition)