CISM Exam Dumps - Isaca Certification Questions and Answers

 The most important factor to ensuring information stored by an organization is protected appropriately is assigning information asset ownership. Information asset ownership is the process of identifying and assigning the roles and responsibilities of the individuals or groups who have the authority and accountability for the information assets and their protection. Information asset owners are responsible for defining the business value, classification, and security requirements of the information assets, as well as granting the access rights and privileges to the information users and custodians. Information asset owners are also responsible for monitoring and reviewing the security performance and compliance of the information assets, and reporting and resolving any security issues or incidents. By assigning information asset ownership, the organization can ensure that the information assets are properly identified, categorized, protected, and managed according to their importance, sensitivity, and regulatory obligations.

References = CISM Review Manual, 16th Edition, Chapter 1: Information Security Governance, Section: Data Classification, page 331; CISM Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Manual, 10th Edition, Question 62, page 572.

= A quality process is a set of activities that ensures that the products or services delivered by an organization meet the customer’s expectations and comply with the applicable standards and regulations. A quality process can support security management by providing assurance that security requirements are met throughout the development, implementation and maintenance of information systems and processes. A quality process can also help to identify and correct security defects, measure security performance and effectiveness, and improve security practices and procedures. References = CISM Review Manual, 15th Edition, page 671; CISM Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Database, question ID 2092.

An organization's quality process can BEST support security management by providing assurance that security requirements are met. This means that the quality process can be used to ensure that security controls are being implemented as intended and that they are achieving the desired results. This helps to ensure that the organization is properly protected and that it is in compliance with security regulations and standards.

= A tabletop exercise is the best type of exercise for an incident response team at the first drill, as it is a low-cost, low-risk, and high-value method to test and evaluate the incident response plan, procedures, roles, and capabilities. A tabletop exercise is a simulation of a realistic scenario that involves a security incident, and requires the participation and discussion of the incident response team members and other relevant stakeholders. The tabletop exercise allows the incident response team to identify and address the gaps, issues, or challenges in the incident response process, and to improve the communication, coordination, and collaboration among the team members and other parties. The tabletop exercise also helps to enhance the knowledge, skills, and confidence of the incident response team members, and to prepare them for more complex or advanced exercises or real incidents.

A red team exercise (A) is a type of exercise that involves a group of ethical hackers or security experts who act as adversaries and attempt to compromise the organization’s security defenses, systems, or processes. A red team exercise is a high-cost, high-risk, and high-value method to test and evaluate the security posture and resilience of the organization, and to identify and exploit the security weaknesses or vulnerabilities. However, a red team exercise is not the best type of exercise for an incident response team at the first drill, as it is more suitable for a mature and experienced team that has already tested and validated the incident response plan, procedures, roles, and capabilities.

A black box penetration test (B) is a type of security testing that simulates a malicious attack on the organization’s systems or processes, without any prior knowledge or information about them. A black box penetration test is a high-cost, high-risk, and high-value method to test and evaluate the security posture and resilience of the organization, and to identify and exploit the security weaknesses or vulnerabilities. However, a black box penetration test is not the best type of exercise for an incident response team at the first drill, as it is more suitable for a mature and experienced team that has already tested and validated the incident response plan, procedures, roles, and capabilities.

A disaster recovery exercise © is a type of exercise that simulates a catastrophic event that disrupts or destroys the organization’s critical systems or processes, and requires the activation and execution of the disaster recovery plan, procedures, roles, and capabilities. A disaster recovery exercise is a high-cost, high-risk, and high-value method to test and evaluate the disaster recovery posture and resilience of the organization, and to identify and address the recovery issues or challenges. However, a disaster recovery exercise is not the best type of exercise for an incident response team at the first drill, as it is more suitable for a mature and experienced team that has already tested and validated the incident response plan, procedures, roles, and capabilities.

References = CISM Review Manual, 16th Edition, Chapter 4: Information Security Incident Management, Section: Incident Response Plan, Subsection: Testing and Maintenance, page 184-1851

 Replacing key controls with weaker compensating controls may introduce new vulnerabilities or increase the likelihood or impact of existing threats, thus raising the risk levels beyond the acceptable limits defined by the risk appetite and tolerance of the organization. This may expose the organization to unacceptable losses or damages, such as financial, reputational, legal, or operational. Therefore, the information security manager should be most concerned about the potential elevation of risk levels and ensure that the risk owner is aware of the consequences and accountable for the decision.

References = CISM Review Manual, 16th Edition, Chapter 2: Information Risk Management, Section: Risk Treatment, page 941.

 Unannounced testing is the most accurate way to assess the effectiveness of controls, as it simulates a real-world scenario and does not allow the staff to prepare or modify their behavior in advance. Mature change management processes, senior management support, and well-defined security policies are all important factors for establishing and maintaining a strong security posture, but they do not directly measure the performance of controls. References = CISM Review Manual, 16th Edition, page 149. CISM Questions, Answers & Explanations Database, question ID 1003.

A risk owner is a person or entity that is responsible for ensuring that risk is managed effectively. One of the primary responsibilities of a risk owner is to implement controls that will help mitigate or manage the risk. While risk assessments, determining the organization's risk appetite, and monitoring control effectiveness are all important aspects of managing risk, it is the responsibility of the risk owner to take the necessary actions to manage the risk.

The first step is to research legal and regulatory requirements for the new locations. Different countries have varying security and privacy laws, and understanding these is critical before adapting policies or procedures.

“Security requirements will vary depending on local legal and regulatory obligations, which must be understood as part of international expansion.”

— CISM Review Manual 15th Edition, Chapter 1: Information Security Governance, Section: Compliance Requirements

The ISACA CISM practice database also highlights this step as the initial and critical move in international expansions.

Assessing the risk of noncompliance ensures that decisions are based on an understanding of the business impact and security implications.

“Before reporting or remediating, it is critical to assess the risk associated with the control bypass to make informed decisions.”

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

 Alignment between corporate and information security governance means that the information security program supports the organizational goals and objectives, and is integrated into the enterprise governance structure. The best evidence of alignment is the senior management sponsorship, which demonstrates the commitment and support of the top-level executives and board members for the information security program. Senior management sponsorship also ensures that the information security program has adequate resources, authority, and accountability to achieve its objectives and address the risks and issues that affect the organization. Senior management sponsorship also helps to establish a culture of security awareness and compliance throughout the organization, and to communicate the value and benefits of the information security program to the stakeholders.

References =

CISM Review Manual 15th Edition, page 1631

CISM 2020: Information Security & Business Process Alignment, video 22

Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), page 33

 = Strong senior management support is the best factor to enable staff acceptance of information security policies, as it demonstrates the commitment and leadership of the organization’s top executives in promoting and enforcing a security culture. Senior management support can also help ensure that the information security policies are aligned with the business goals and values, communicated effectively to all levels of the organization, and integrated into the performance evaluation and reward systems. Senior management support can also help overcome any resistance or challenges from other stakeholders, such as business units, customers, or regulators123. References =

1: CISM Review Manual 15th Edition, page 26-274

2: CISM Practice Quiz, question 1102

3: Information Security Governance: Guidance for Boards of Directors and Executive Management, 2nd Edition, page 5-6

Security requirements are included in the vendor contract is the primary focus of the information security manager when outsourcing IT operations because it ensures that the vendor is legally bound to comply with the client’s security policies and standards, as well as any external regulations or laws. This also helps to define the roles and responsibilities of both parties, the security metrics and controls to be used, and the penalties for non-compliance or breach. Therefore, security requirements are included in the vendor contract is the correct answer.

Measuring the percentage of controls integrated into business processes is the most accurate way to determine the alignment of an information security strategy with organizational goals, as this reflects the extent to which the information security program supports and enables the business objectives and activities, and reduces the friction and resistance from the business stakeholders. The percentage of controls integrated into business processes also indicates the maturity and effectiveness of the information security program, and the level of awareness and acceptance of the information security policies and standards among the business users. Number of blocked intrusion attempts, number of business cases reviewed by senior management, and trends in the number of identified threats to the business are not the most accurate ways to determine the alignment of an information security strategy with organizational goals, as they do not measure the impact and value of the information security program on the business performance and outcomes, and may not reflect the business priorities and expectations. References = CISM Review Manual 2023, page 291; CISM Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Manual 2023, page 372; ISACA CISM - iSecPrep, page 223; CISM Exam Overview - Vinsys4