CISM Exam Dumps - Isaca Certification Questions and Answers

Unexpected outcomes may arise in production when using only sanitized data for the testing of applications. Sanitized data is data that has been purposely and permanently deleted or modified to prevent unauthorized access or misuse. Sanitized data may not reflect the real characteristics, patterns, or behaviors of the original data, and thus may not be suitable for testing applications that rely on data quality and accuracy. According to NIST, data sanitization methods can affect the usability of data for testing purposes1. The other options are not risks introduced by using sanitized data for testing applications, but rather risks that can be mitigated by using sanitized data. Data loss, data disclosure, and breaches of compliance obligations are possible consequences of using unsanitized data that contains sensitive or confidential information. References: 2: What is Data Sanitization? | Data Erasure Methods | Imperva 3: Data sanitization techniques: Standards, practices, legislation 1: Data sanitization – Wikipedia

According to the Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) Study Manual, "The primary objective of information security governance is to provide a framework for managing and controlling information security practices and technologies at an enterprise level. Its goal is to manage and reduce risk through a process of identification, assessment, and management of those risks."

While demonstrating senior management commitment, compliance with industry best practices, and ensuring user compliance with policies are all important aspects of information security governance, they are not the primary objective. The primary objective is to manage and reduce risk by establishing a framework for managing and controlling information security practices and technologies at an enterprise level.

Threat and vulnerability assessments are important primarily because they are the basis for setting control objectives. Control objectives are the desired outcomes of implementing security controls, and they should be aligned with the organization’s risk appetite and business objectives. Threat and vulnerability assessments help to identify the potential sources and impacts of security incidents, and to prioritize the mitigation actions based on the likelihood and severity of the risks. By conducting threat and vulnerability assessments, the organization can establish the appropriate level and type of security controls to protect its information assets and reduce the residual risk to an acceptable level. References = CISM Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 3: Information Security Risk Management, Section 3.1: Risk Identification, p. 115-1161. CISM Review Manual (Print Version), Chapter 3: Information Security Risk Management, Section 3.1: Risk Identification, p. 115-1162. CISM ITEM DEVELOPMENT GUIDE, Domain 3: Information Security Program Development and Management, Task Statement 3.1, p. 193.

Threat and vulnerability assessments are important PRIMARILY because they are the basis for setting control objectives. Control objectives are the desired outcomes or goals of implementing security controls in an information system. They are derived from the risk assessment process, which identifies and evaluates the threats and vulnerabilities that could affect the system’s confidentiality, integrity and availability. By conducting threat and vulnerability assessments, an organization can determine the level of risk it faces and establish the appropriate control objectives to mitigate those risks.

Using the VPN when accessing the organization’s online resources is the most important thing to ensure, as it provides a secure and encrypted connection between the remote employees and the organization’s network, and protects the data and systems from unauthorized access, interception, or tampering. VPNs also help to comply with the organization’s security policies and standards, and to prevent data leakage or breaches.

References = CISM Review Manual 2022, page 3081; CISM Exam Content Outline, Domain 4, Knowledge Statement 4.92; CISM 2020: Remote Access Security; How to Secure Remote Workers with VPN

= A supply chain attack is a type of cyberattack that targets the suppliers or service providers of an organization, rather than the organization itself. The attackers exploit the vulnerabilities or weaknesses in the supply chain to gain access to the organization’s network, systems, or data. The attackers may then use the compromised third-party resources to launch further attacks, steal sensitive information, disrupt operations, or damage reputation. Therefore, the most likely risk scenario that emerges from a supply chain attack is the compromise of critical assets via third-party resources. This scenario poses a high threat to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the organization’s assets, as well as its compliance and trustworthiness. Unavailability of services provided by a supplier, loss of customers due to unavailability of products, and unreliable delivery of hardware and software resources by a supplier are all possible consequences of a supply chain attack, but they are not the most likely risk scenarios. These scenarios may affect the organization’s productivity, profitability, and customer satisfaction, but they do not directly compromise the organization’s critical assets. Moreover, these scenarios may be caused by other factors besides a supply chain attack, such as natural disasters, human errors, or market fluctuations. References = CISM Review Manual 2023, page 189 1; CISM Practice Quiz 2

Information security due diligence is the process of assessing the current state of information security in an organization, identifying any gaps, risks, or vulnerabilities, and estimating the costs and efforts required to remediate them. Performing information security due diligence prior to making the purchase is important to determine the security exposures that may affect the value, reputation, or liability of the organization, as well as the feasibility and compatibility of integrating the security systems and processes of the two organizations.

References = CISM Review Manual 2022, page 361; CISM Exam Content Outline, Domain 1, Task 1.22; Information Security Due Diligence Questionnair

Information security policies are high-level statements or rules that define the goals and objectives of information security in an organization, and provide the framework and direction for implementing and enforcing security controls and processes1. Information security policies should be aligned with the organization’s business goals and objectives, and reflect the organization’s risk appetite and tolerance2. Therefore, the most helpful activity for determining which information security policies should be implemented by an organization is a risk assessment.

A risk assessment is a systematic process of identifying, analyzing, and evaluating the risks that an organization faces, and determining the appropriate risk responses3. A risk assessment helps to determine the following aspects of information security policies:

The scope and applicability of the policies, based on the assets, threats, and vulnerabilities that affect the organization’s security objectives and requirements.

The level and type of security controls and processes that are needed to mitigate the risks, based on the likelihood and impact of the risk scenarios and the cost-benefit analysis of the risk responses.

The roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders involved in the implementation and enforcement of the policies, based on the risk ownership and accountability.

The metrics and indicators that are used to measure and monitor the effectiveness and compliance of the policies, based on the risk appetite and tolerance.

The other options, such as a business impact analysis (BIA), a vulnerability assessment, or industry best practices, are not as helpful as a risk assessment for determining which information security policies should be implemented by an organization, because they have the following limitations:

A business impact analysis (BIA) is a process of identifying and evaluating the potential effects of disruptions or incidents on the organization’s critical business functions and processes, and determining the recovery priorities and objectives. A BIA can help to support the risk assessment by providing information on the impact and criticality of the assets and processes, but it cannot identify or analyze the threats and vulnerabilities that pose risks to the organization, or determine the appropriate risk responses or controls.

A vulnerability assessment is a process of identifying and measuring the weaknesses or flaws in the organization’s systems, networks, or applications that could be exploited by threat actors. A vulnerability assessment can help to support the risk assessment by providing information on the vulnerabilities and exposures that affect the organization’s security posture, but it cannot identify or analyze the threats or likelihood that could exploit the vulnerabilities, or determine the appropriate risk responses or controls.

Industry best practices are the standards or guidelines that are widely accepted and followed by the information security community or the organization’s industry sector, based on the experience and knowledge of the experts and practitioners. Industry best practices can help to inform and guide the development and implementation of information security policies, but they cannot replace or substitute the risk assessment, as they may not reflect the organization’s specific context, needs, and objectives, or address the organization’s unique risks and challenges.

References = 1: CISM Review Manual 15th Edition, page 29 2: CISM Review Manual 15th Edition, page 30 3: CISM Review Manual 15th Edition, page 121 : CISM Review Manual 15th Edition, page 122 : CISM Review Manual 15th Edition, page 123 : CISM Review Manual 15th Edition, page 124 : CISM Review Manual 15th Edition, page 125 : CISM Review Manual 15th Edition, page 126

The primary role of an information security manager in a software development project is to assess and approve the security application architecture. The security application architecture is the design and structure of the software application that defines how the application components interact with each other and with external systems, and how the application implements the security requirements, principles, and best practices. The information security manager is responsible for ensuring that the security application architecture is aligned with the organization’s information security policies, standards, and guidelines, and that it meets the business objectives, functional specifications, and user expectations. The information security manager is also responsible for reviewing and evaluating the security application architecture for its completeness, correctness, consistency, and compliance, and for identifying and resolving any security issues, risks, or gaps. The information security manager is also responsible for approving the security application architecture before the software development project proceeds to the next phase, such as coding, testing, or deployment.

References = CISM Review Manual, 16th Edition, Chapter 3: Information Security Program Development and Management, Section: Information Security Program Development, page 1581; CISM Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Manual, 10th Edition, Question 80, page 742.

 The organization’s vision and mission should be the PRIMARY basis for an information security strategy, as they define the purpose and direction of the organization and its information security needs. A comprehensive gap analysis is a tool to identify the current state and desired state of information security, and the actions needed to close the gap. Information security policies are the high-level statements of management’s intent and expectations for information security, and are derived from the information security strategy. Audit and regulatory requirements are external factors that influence the information security strategy, but are not the primary basis for it. References = CISM Review Manual, 16th Edition, pages 17-181; CISM Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Manual, 10th Edition, page 782

The primary basis for an information security strategy should be the organization's vision and mission. The organization's vision and mission should be the foundation for the security strategy, and should inform and guide the security policies, procedures, and practices that are implemented. The results of a comprehensive gap analysis, information security policies, and audit and regulatory requirements should all be taken into consideration when developing the security strategy, but should not be the primary basis.

The primary reason to assign a risk owner in an organization is to ensure accountability for the risk and its treatment. A risk owner is a person or entity that has the authority and responsibility to manage a specific risk and to implement the appropriate risk response actions. By assigning a risk owner, the organization can ensure that the risk is monitored, reported, and controlled in accordance with the organization’s risk appetite and tolerance.

= Security reporting is the process of providing relevant and timely information on the status and performance of the information security program to the stakeholders. Security reporting should be aligned with the business objectives and risk appetite of the organization, and should provide meaningful insights and recommendations for decision making and improvement. Security reporting should also include forward-looking trends, which are projections or predictions of future events or conditions based on historical data, current situation, and external factors. Forward-looking trends can help the organization anticipate and prepare for potential risks and opportunities, and adjust their strategies and plans accordingly.

One of the most effective ways to communicate forward-looking trends within security reporting is to use key risk indicators (KRIs). KRIs are metrics that measure the level of exposure or likelihood of a risk event occurring, and provide early warning signals of potential changes in the risk profile. KRIs can help the organization monitor and manage the key risks that may affect the achievement of their objectives, and take proactive actions to mitigate or avoid them. KRIs can also help the organization identify emerging risks and trends, and evaluate the effectiveness of their risk treatment options. KRIs should be aligned with the risk appetite and tolerance of the organization, and should be regularly reviewed and updated to reflect the changing risk environment.

The other options are not the most effective ways to communicate forward-looking trends within security reporting. Key control indicators (KCIs) are metrics that measure the effectiveness and efficiency of the security controls implemented to reduce the impact or likelihood of a risk event. KCIs can help the organization assess and improve the performance of their security processes and activities, and ensure compliance with the security policies and standards. However, KCIs do not directly measure the level of exposure or likelihood of a risk event, and may not provide sufficient information on the future trends and scenarios. Key performance indicators (KPIs) are metrics that measure the achievement of the security objectives and goals, and demonstrate the value and contribution of the information security program to the organization. KPIs can help the organization evaluate and communicate the results and outcomes of their security initiatives and projects, and align them with the business strategy and vision. However, KPIs do not directly measure the level of exposure or likelihood of a risk event, and may not provide sufficient information on the future trends and scenarios. Key goal indicators (KGIs) are metrics that measure the progress and completion of the security goals and targets, and indicate the degree of success and satisfaction of the information security program. KGIs can help the organization track and report the status and milestones of their security plans and actions, and ensure alignment with the stakeholder expectations and requirements. However, KGIs do not directly measure the level of exposure or likelihood of a risk event, and may not provide sufficient information on the future trends and scenarios. References = CISM Review Manual, 16th Edition, ISACA, 2020, pp. 77-78, 81-821; CISM Online Review Course, Domain 3: Information Security Program Development and Management, Module 4: Information Security Program Resources, ISACA2

Comprehensive and Detailed Step-by-Step Explanation:

Incident response policies must provide clear and actionable steps to ensure effective handling of incidents. Notification requirements are critical to ensure timely communication with stakeholders during an incident.

A. A description of testing methodology: While testing is important, it is typically addressed in incident response plans, not the policy itself.

B. Notification requirements: This is the BEST answer as it ensures that key stakeholders are informed promptly, allowing for coordination and mitigation efforts.

C. An infrastructure diagram: This is useful for understanding system architecture but is not a core policy requirement.

D. Recovery time objectives (RTOs): RTOs are part of business continuity and disaster recovery plans, not incident response policies.

 An organization-wide social media policy is a document that defines the rules and guidelines for using social media platforms within the organization. It covers topics such as who can use social media, what they can post, how they should protect confidential information, and what are the consequences for violating the policy. An organization-wide social media policy helps to mitigate the risk of confidential information being disclosed by employees on social media by providing a clear and consistent framework for managing social media activities12.

References = 1: CISM Review Manual (Digital Version), page 271 2: CISM Review Manual (Print Version), page 271

The most important consideration when establishing metrics for reporting to the information security strategy committee is D. Aligning the metrics with the organizational culture. This is because the metrics should reflect the values, beliefs, and behaviors of the organization and its stakeholders, and support the achievement of the strategic objectives and goals. The metrics should also be relevant, meaningful, and understandable for the intended audience, and provide clear and actionable information for decision making. The metrics should not be too technical, complex, or ambiguous, but rather focus on the key aspects of information security performance, such as risk, compliance, maturity, value, and effectiveness.

References = CISM Review Manual 15th Edition, Chapter 1, Section 1.3.2, page 281; CISM Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Manual 9th Edition, Question 5, page 3

= A post-incident review is a process of analyzing and learning from a security incident, such as a data breach, to improve the security posture and resilience of an organization. A post-incident review should include the following elements12:

A clear and accurate description of the incident, including its scope, impact, timeline, root cause, and contributing factors.

A detailed assessment of the effectiveness and efficiency of the incident response process, including the roles and responsibilities, communication channels, coordination mechanisms, escalation procedures, tools and resources, documentation, and reporting.

An evaluation of the adequacy of existing controls, such as policies, standards, procedures, technical measures, awareness, and training, to prevent, detect, and mitigate similar incidents in the future.

A list of actionable recommendations and improvement plans, based on the lessons learned and best practices, to address the identified gaps and weaknesses in the security strategy, governance, risk management, and incident management.

A follow-up and monitoring mechanism to ensure the implementation and verification of the recommendations and improvement plans.

The most important element to include in a post-incident review following a data breach is the evaluation of the adequacy of existing controls, because it directly relates to the security objectives and requirements of the organization, and provides the basis for enhancing the security posture and resilience of the organization. Evaluating the existing controls helps to identify the vulnerabilities and risks that led to the data breach, and to determine the appropriate corrective and preventive actions to reduce the likelihood and impact of similar incidents in the future. Evaluating the existing controls also helps to align the security strategy and governance with the business goals and objectives, and to ensure the compliance with legal, regulatory, and contractual obligations.

The other elements, such as an evaluation of the effectiveness of the information security strategy, documentation of regulatory reporting requirements, and a review of the forensics chain of custody, are also important, but not as important as the evaluation of the existing controls. An evaluation of the effectiveness of the information security strategy is a broader and more strategic activity that may not be directly relevant to the specific incident, and may require more time and resources to conduct. Documentation of regulatory reporting requirements is a necessary and mandatory task, but it does not provide much insight or value for improving the security posture and resilience of the organization. A review of the forensics chain of custody is a technical and procedural activity that ensures the integrity and admissibility of the digital evidence collected during the incident investigation, but it does not address the root cause or the mitigation of the incident. References = 1: CISM Exam Content Outline | CISM Certification | ISACA 2: CISM Review Manual 15th Edition, page 147