CISM Exam Dumps - Isaca Certification Questions and Answers

The best way to ensure that frequently encountered incidents are reflected in the user security awareness training program is to include examples of help desk requests. Help desk requests are requests for assistance or support from users who encounter problems or issues related to information security, such as password resets, malware infections, phishing emails, unauthorized access, data loss, or system errors. Help desk requests can provide valuable insights into the types, frequencies, and impacts of the incidents that affect the users, as well as the users’ knowledge, skills, and behaviors regarding information security. By including examples of help desk requests in the user security awareness training program, the information security manager can achieve the following benefits12:

Increase the relevance and effectiveness of the training content: By using real-life scenarios and cases that the users have experienced or witnessed, the information security manager can make the training content more relevant, engaging, and applicable to the users’ needs and situations. The information security manager can also use the examples of help desk requests to illustrate the consequences and costs of the incidents, and to highlight the best practices and solutions to prevent or resolve them. This can help the users to understand the importance and value of information security, and to improve their knowledge, skills, and attitudes accordingly.

Identify and address the gaps and weaknesses in the training program: By analyzing the patterns and trends of the help desk requests, the information security manager can identify and address the gaps and weaknesses in the existing training program, such as outdated or inaccurate information, insufficient or ineffective coverage of topics, or lack of feedback or evaluation. The information security manager can also use the examples of help desk requests to measure and monitor the impact and outcomes of the training program, such as changes in the number, type, or severity of the incidents, or changes in the users’ satisfaction, performance, or behavior.

Enhance the communication and collaboration with the users and the help desk staff: By including examples of help desk requests in the user security awareness training program, the information security manager can enhance the communication and collaboration with the users and the help desk staff, who are the key stakeholders and partners in information security. The information security manager can use the examples of help desk requests to solicit feedback, suggestions, or questions from the users and the help desk staff, and to provide them with timely and relevant information, guidance, or support. The information security manager can also use the examples of help desk requests to recognize and appreciate the efforts and contributions of the users and the help desk staff in reporting, responding, or resolving the incidents, and to encourage and motivate them to continue their involvement and participation in information security.

The other options are not the best way to ensure that frequently encountered incidents are reflected in the user security awareness training program, as they are less reliable, relevant, or effective sources of information. Results of exit interviews are feedback from employees who are leaving the organization, and they may not reflect the current or future incidents that the remaining or new employees may face. Previous training sessions are records of the past training activities, and they may not capture the changes or updates in the information security environment, threats, or requirements. Responses to security questionnaires are answers to predefined questions or surveys, and they may not cover all the possible or emerging incidents that the users may encounter or experience12. References = Information Security Awareness Training: Best Practices - Infosec Resources, How to Create an Effective Security Awareness Training Program - Infosec Resources, Security Awareness Training: How to Build a Successful Program - ISACA, Security Awareness Training: How to Educate Your Employees - ISACA

The disk hash value is a unique identifier that is calculated from the binary data of the disk. It is used to verify that the disk image is an exact copy of the original disk and that no changes have occurred during the acquisition or analysis process. The disk hash value is stored externally, such as on a CD-ROM or a USB drive, to prevent tampering or corruption. The disk hash value can also be used as evidence in court to prove the authenticity and reliability of the digital evidence123 References = 1: CISM Review Manual 15th Edition, ISACA, 2017, page 2532: Guide to Computer Forensics and Investigations Fourth Edition, page 4-103: Forensic disk acquisition over the network, Andrea Fortuna, 2018.The main purpose of creating and storing an external disk hash value when performing forensic data acquisition from a hard disk is to validate the integrity of the data during the analysis. This is done by comparing the original hash value of the disk to the hash value created during the acquisition process, which can be used to ensure that the data has not been tampered with or corrupted in any way. Additionally, by creating a hash value of the disk, it can be used to quickly verify the integrity of any data that is accessed from the disk in the future.

Before conducting full-functional continuity testing, an information security manager should verify that teams and individuals responsible for recovery have been identified and trained on their roles and responsibilities. This will ensure that the testing can be executed effectively and efficiently, as well as identify any gaps or issues in the recovery process. Risk acceptance by the business, copies of plans kept offsite and plans documented in simple language are all good practices for continuity management, but they are not as important as having clear roles and responsibilities defined before testing.

 The information security manager’s first course of action should be to validate the relevance of the information received from the threat intelligence service. This means verifying the source, credibility, accuracy, and timeliness of the information, as well as assessing the potential impact and likelihood of the threat for the organization. This will help the information security manager to determine the appropriate response and prioritize the actions to mitigate the threat. Conducting an information security audit, performing a gap analysis, and informing senior management are possible subsequent actions, but they are not the first course of action. An information security audit is a systematic and independent assessment of the effectiveness of the information security controls and processes. A gap analysis is a comparison of the current state of the information security program with the desired state or best practices. Informing senior management is a communication activity that should be done after validating the information and assessing the risk. References = CISM Review Manual, 16th Edition, pages 44-451; CISM Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Manual, 10th Edition, page 632

The first step the information security manager should take upon learning of the potential threat is to validate the relevance of the information. This should involve researching the threat to evaluate its potential impact on the organization and to determine the accuracy of the threat intelligence. Once the information is validated, the information security manager can then take action, such as informing senior management, conducting an information security audit, or performing a gap analysis.

A threat analysis will best identify the external influences to an organization’s information security because it involves identifying and evaluating the sources and likelihood of potential adverse events that could affect the organization’s assets, operations, or reputation. External influences include factors such as emerging technologies, social media, business environment, risk tolerance, regulatory requirements, third-party considerations, and threat landscape1. A threat analysis can help the organization to align its information security strategy with its business objectives and risk appetite, and to prioritize and mitigate the most relevant and impactful threats. A business impact analysis (BIA) is a process of assessing the potential consequences of a disruption to the organization’s critical business functions or processes. A BIA does not directly identify the external influences to the organization’s information security, but rather the impact of those influences on the organization’s continuity and recovery. A gap analysis is a process of comparing the current state of the organization’s information security with a desired or expected state, based on best practices, standards, or frameworks. A gap analysis does not directly identify the external influences to the organization’s information security, but rather the areas of improvement or compliance. A vulnerability analysis is a process of identifying and evaluating the weaknesses or flaws in the organization’s information systems or processes that could be exploited by threats. A vulnerability analysis does not directly identify the external influences to the organization’s information security, but rather the exposure or susceptibility of the organization to those influences. References = CISM Review Manual, 15th Edition, pages 22-232; CISM Exam Content Outline, Domain 1, Knowledge Statement 1.113

Threat analysis is a process that is used to identify and assess the external influences or threats that could potentially affect an organization's information security. It is used to identify potential risks and develop strategies to mitigate or reduce those risks. Threat analysis involves analyzing the environment, identifying potential threats and their potential impacts, and then evaluating the organization's current security measures and developing strategies to address any deficiencies.

The results of a risk assessment would best enable an informed decision by senior management when developing a business case to justify an information security investment. A risk assessment will help to identify and prioritize the threats and vulnerabilities that affect the organization’s assets and processes, as well as the potential impact and likelihood of occurrence. A risk assessment will also provide a basis for selecting and evaluating the effectiveness of controls to mitigate the risks. According to CISA, developing a business case for security will be based on an in-depth understanding of organizational vulnerabilities, operational priorities, and return on investment1. The information security strategy, losses due to security incidents, and security investment trends in the industry are possible inputs or outputs of a risk assessment, but they are not sufficient to enable an informed decision by senior management. References: 1: The Business Case for Security - CISA 2: The Business Case for Security | CISA 3: #HowTo: Build a Business Case for Cybersecurity Investment 4: Making the Business Case for Information Security

= The best approach for developing a physical access control policy for the organization is to conduct a risk assessment to determine the security risks and mitigating controls that are relevant and appropriate for the organization’s data center. A risk assessment is a process of identifying, analyzing, and evaluating the information security risks that could affect the availability, integrity, or confidentiality of the servers, applications, and data that are hosted in the data center. A risk assessment can help to determine the likelihood and impact of the unauthorized or inappropriate physical access to the data center, such as theft, damage, sabotage, or espionage, and the potential consequences for the organization and its customers, such as service disruption, data loss, data breach, or legal liability. A risk assessment can also help to identify and prioritize the appropriate risk treatment options, such as implementing technical, administrative, or physical controls to prevent, detect, or respond to the physical access incidents, such as locks, alarms, cameras, guards, badges, or logs. A risk assessment can also help to communicate and report the risk level and status to the senior management and the relevant stakeholders, and to provide feedback and recommendations for improvement and optimization of the physical access control policy and the risk management process.

Reviewing customers’ security policies, developing access control requirements for each system and application, and designing single sign-on (SSO) or federated access are all possible steps that the organization can take after conducting the risk assessment, but they are not the best ones. Reviewing customers’ security policies is a process of understanding and complying with the customers’ expectations and requirements for the security of their servers, applications, and data that are hosted in the data center, and ensuring that the organization’s physical access control policy is consistent and compatible with them. Developing access control requirements for each system and application is a process of defining and implementing the specific rules and criteria for granting or denying the physical access to the servers and applications that are hosted in the data center, based on the roles, responsibilities, and privileges of the users, and the sensitivity and criticality of the systems and applications. Designing single sign-on (SSO) or federated access is a process of enabling and facilitating the authentication and authorization of the users who need to access the servers and applications that are hosted in the data center, by using a single or shared identity and credential across multiple systems and domains. References = CISM Review Manual 15th Edition, pages 51-531; CISM Practice Quiz, question 1542

The explanation given in the manual is:

Incident classification criteria enable an organization to prioritize incidents based on their impact and urgency. This allows for an optimized allocation of recovery resources to minimize business disruption and ensure timely restoration of normal operations. The other choices are benefits of incident management but not directly related to incident classification criteria.

= Information classification is the process of assigning appropriate labels to information assets based on their sensitivity and value to the organization. Information classification should be aligned with the business objectives and risk appetite of the organization, and should be reviewed periodically to ensure its accuracy and relevance. The information security manager is responsible for establishing and maintaining the information classification policy and procedures, as well as providing guidance and oversight to the data owners and custodians. Data owners are the individuals who have the authority and accountability for the information assets within their business unit or function. Data owners are responsible for determining the appropriate classification level and security controls for their information assets, as well as ensuring compliance with the information classification policy and procedures. Data custodians are the individuals who have the operational responsibility for implementing and maintaining the security controls for the information assets assigned to them by the data owners.

If the information security manager believes that information has been classified inappropriately, increasing the risk of a breach, the best action is to complete a risk assessment and refer the results to the data owners. A risk assessment is a systematic process of identifying, analyzing, and evaluating the risks associated with the information assets, and recommending appropriate risk treatment options. By conducting a risk assessment, the information security manager can provide objective and evidence-based information to the data owners, highlighting the potential impact and likelihood of a breach, as well as the cost and benefit of implementing additional security controls. This will enable the data owners to make informed decisions about the appropriate classification level and security controls for their information assets, and to justify and document any deviations from the information classification policy and procedures.

The other options are not the best actions for the information security manager. Refering the issue to internal audit for a recommendation is not the best action, because internal audit is an independent and objective assurance function that provides assurance on the effectiveness of governance, risk management, and control processes. Internal audit is not responsible for providing recommendations on information classification, which is a management responsibility. Re-classifying the data and increasing the security level to meet business risk is not the best action, because the information security manager does not have the authority or accountability for the information assets, and may not have the full understanding of the business context and objectives of the data owners. Instructing the relevant system owners to reclassify the data is not the best action, because system owners are not the same as data owners, and may not have the authority or accountability for the information assets either. System owners are the individuals who have the authority and accountability for the information systems that process, store, or transmit the information assets. System owners are responsible for ensuring that the information systems comply with the security requirements and controls defined by the data owners and the information security manager. References = CISM Review Manual, 16th Edition, ISACA, 2020, pp. 49-51, 63-64, 69-701; CISM Online Review Course, Domain 3: Information Security Program Development and Management, Module 2: Information Security Program Framework, ISACA2

The technical capabilities of the provider are the MOST important thing for an information security manager to verify when selecting a third-party forensics provider because they determine the quality, reliability, and validity of the forensic services and results that the provider can deliver. The technical capabilities of the provider include the skills, experience, and qualifications of the forensic staff, the methods, tools, and standards that the forensic staff use, and the facilities, equipment, and resources that the forensic staff have. The information security manager should verify that the technical capabilities of the provider match the forensic needs and expectations of the organization, such as the type, scope, and complexity of the forensic investigation, the legal and regulatory requirements, and the time and cost constraints12. The existence of a right-to-audit clause (A) is an important thing for an information security manager to verify when selecting a third-party forensics provider, but it is not the MOST important thing. A right-to-audit clause is a contractual provision that grants the organization the right to audit or review the performance, compliance, and security of the provider. A right-to-audit clause can help to ensure the accountability, transparency, and quality of the provider, as well as to identify and resolve any issues or disputes that may arise during or after the forensic service. However, a right-to-audit clause does not guarantee that the provider has the technical capabilities to conduct the forensic service effectively and efficiently12. The results of the provider’s business continuity tests (B) are an important thing for an information security manager to verify when selecting a third-party forensics provider, but they are not the MOST important thing. The results of the provider’s business continuity tests can indicate the ability and readiness of the provider to continue or resume the forensic service in the event of a disruption, disaster, or emergency. The results of the provider’s business continuity tests can help to assess the availability, resilience, and recovery of the provider, as well as to mitigate the risks of losing or compromising the forensic evidence or data. However, the results of the provider’s business continuity tests do not ensure that the provider has the technical capabilities to perform the forensic service accurately and professionally12. The existence of the provider’s incident response plan (D) is an important thing for an information security manager to verify when selecting a third-party forensics provider, but it is not the MOST important thing. The existence of the provider’s incident response plan can demonstrate the preparedness and capability of the provider to detect, report, and respond to any security incidents that may affect the forensic service or the organization. The existence of the provider’s incident response plan can help to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the forensic evidence or data, as well as to comply with the legal and contractual obligations. However, the existence of the provider’s incident response plan does not confirm that the provider has the technical capabilities to execute the forensic service competently and ethically12. References = 1: CISM Review Manual 15th Edition, page 310-3111; 2: A Risk-Based Management Approach to Third-Party Data Security, Risk and Compliance - ISACA2

Data classification is the sole responsibility of the client organization when adopting a Software as a Service (SaaS) model. Data classification is the process of categorizing data based on its sensitivity, value and criticality to the organization. Data classification helps to determine the appropriate level of protection, access control and retention for different types of data. Data classification is an essential part of data governance and risk management, as it enables the organization to comply with legal and regulatory requirements, protect its intellectual property and reputation, and optimize its data storage and usage costs.

In a SaaS model, the client organization has the least control and responsibility over the cloud infrastructure, platform and application, as these are fully managed by the cloud service provider (CSP). The client organization only has control and responsibility over its own data and users. Therefore, the client organization is responsible for defining and implementing data classification policies and procedures, and ensuring that its data is properly labeled and handled according to its classification level. The client organization is also responsible for educating its users about the importance of data classification and the best practices for data security and privacy.

The other options are not the sole responsibility of the client organization in a SaaS model, as they are either shared with or delegated to the CSP. Host patching, penetration testing and infrastructure hardening are all related to the security and maintenance of the cloud infrastructure and platform, which are the responsibility of the CSP in a SaaS model. The CSP is expected to provide regular updates, patches and fixes to the host operating system, network and application components, and to conduct periodic security assessments and audits to identify and remediate any vulnerabilities or weaknesses in the cloud environment. The client organization may have some responsibility to monitor and verify the CSP’s performance and compliance with the service level agreement (SLA) and the cloud security standards and regulations, but it does not have direct control or access to the cloud infrastructure and platform. References =

Understanding the Shared Responsibilities Model in Cloud Services - ISACA, Figure 1

CISM Review Manual, Chapter 3, page 121

Reverse lookups can be used to prevent successful IP spoofing. IP spoofing is a type of attack in which an attacker sends packets with a false source IP address in order to disguise their identity or impersonate another system. By performing reverse lookups on the source IP address of incoming packets, the system can verify that the packets are coming from a trusted source, and any packets with an invalid or spoofed source IP can be discarded. This is an important measure for preventing IP spoofing, and can help to reduce the risk of other types of attacks, such as DoS attacks, session hacking, and phishing attacks.

 Improving security controls is an example of risk mitigation, which is the process of reducing the likelihood or impact of a risk. Risk mitigation can be achieved by implementing various strategies, such as purchasing insurance, discontinuing the activity associated with the risk, or improving security controls. Purchasing insurance is a form of risk transfer, which is the process of shifting the responsibility or burden of a risk to another party. Discontinuing the activity associated with the risk is a form of risk avoidance, which is the process of eliminating or avoiding a potential source of harm. Performing a cost-benefit analysis is a form of risk evaluation, which is the process of assessing the costs and benefits of different options to manage a risk. References = CISM Review Manual, 16th Edition, page 1741; CISM Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Manual, 10th Edition, page 802

 To support effective risk decision making, it is most important to have risk reporting procedures in place. Risk reporting procedures define how, when, and to whom risk information is communicated within the organization. Risk reporting procedures ensure that risk information is timely, accurate, consistent, and relevant for the decision makers. Risk reporting procedures also facilitate the monitoring and review of risk management activities and outcomes. Risk reporting procedures enable the organization to align its risk appetite and tolerance with its business objectives and strategies. Established risk domains are not the most important factor for effective risk decision making. Risk domains are categories or areas of risk that reflect the organization’s structure, objectives, and operations. Risk domains help to organize and prioritize risk information, but they do not necessarily support the communication and analysis of risk information for decision making. An audit committee consisting of mid-level management is not the most important factor for effective risk decision making. An audit committee is a subcommittee of the board of directors that oversees the internal and external audit functions of the organization. An audit committee should consist of independent and qualified members, preferably from the board of directors or senior management, not mid-level management. An audit committee provides assurance and oversight on the effectiveness of risk management, but it does not directly support risk decision making. Well-defined and approved controls are not the most important factor for effective risk decision making. Controls are measures or actions that reduce the likelihood or impact of risk events. Well-defined and approved controls are essential for implementing risk responses and mitigating risks, but they do not directly support the identification, analysis, and evaluation of risks for decision making. References = CISM Review Manual 15th Edition, page 207-208.

Established risk domains are important for effective risk decision making because they provide a basis for categorizing risks and assessing their impact on the organization. Risk domains are also used to assign risk ownership and prioritize risk management activities. Having established risk domains in place helps ensure that risks are properly identified and addressed, and enables organizations to make informed and effective decisions about risk. Risk reporting procedures, an audit committee consisting of mid-level management, and well-defined and approved controls are all important components of an effective risk management program, but established risk domains are the most important for effective risk decision making.