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The best recommendation to mitigate the risk of data leakage from lost or stolen devices that contain confidential data is to configure them to auto-wipe after multiple failed access attempts, as this would prevent unauthorized access and erase sensitive information from the device. Requiring employees to attend security awareness training, password protecting critical data files, or enabling device auto-lock function are also good practices, but they may not be sufficient or effective in preventing data leakage from lost or stolen devices. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 5, Section 5.3

The executive management concern that could be addressed by the implementation of a security metrics dashboard is the effectiveness of the security program. A security metrics dashboard is a tool that provides a visual representation of key performance indicators (KPIs) and key risk indicators (KRIs) related to the organization’s information security objectives and activities. A security metrics dashboard can help executive management monitor and evaluate the performance and value delivery of the security program, identify strengths and weaknesses, assess compliance with policies and standards, and support decision making and improvement initiatives. Security incidents vs. industry benchmarks, total number of hours budgeted to security, and total number of false positives are not executive management concerns that could be addressed by the implementation of a security metrics dashboard. These are more operational or technical aspects of information security that could be measured and reported by other means, such as incident reports, budget reports, or log analysis. References: [ISACA CISA Review Manual 27th Edition], page 302

 Fine tuning the intrusion detection system (IDS) is the best recommendation to reduce the number of false positive alerts that overwhelm the log management system, because it can help adjust the sensitivity and accuracy of the IDS rules and signatures to match the network environment and traffic patterns. Establishing criteria for reviewing alerts, recruiting more monitoring personnel, and reducing the firewall rules are not effective solutions to address the root cause of the false positive alerts, but rather ways to cope with the consequences. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 5, Section 5.4.3

Reconciliation of total amounts by project is the best control to ensure that data is accurately entered into the job-costing system from spreadsheets. Reconciliation is a process of comparing two sets of data to identify any differences or discrepancies between them. By reconciling the total amounts by project from spreadsheets with those from the job-costing system, any errors or omissions in data entry can be detected and corrected. Validity checks are controls that verify that data conforms to predefined formats or ranges. They can prevent entry of character data into numeric fields, but they cannot ensure that the numeric data is correct or complete. Reasonableness checks are controls that verify that data is within expected or acceptable limits. They can detect outliers or anomalies in data, but they cannot ensure that the data matches the source. Display back of project detail after entry is a control that allows the user to review and confirm the data entered into the system. It can help reduce human errors, but it cannot guarantee that the data is accurate or consistent with the source. References: Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience, CISA Review Manual (Digital Version)

 The greatest concern for an IS auditor when evaluating an organization’s IT strategy and plans is that IT is not engaged in business strategic planning, as this indicates a lack of alignment between IT and business objectives, which could result in inefficient and ineffective use of IT resources and capabilities. The absence of a defined IT security policy, the nondistribution of business strategy meeting minutes, and the inadequate documentation of IT strategic planning are also issues that should be addressed by an IS auditor, but they are not as significant as IT’s noninvolvement in business strategic planning. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 3, Section 3.1

The best recommendation for a small IT web development company where developers must have write access to production is to remove production access from the developers. Production access is the ability to modify or update the live systems or applications that are used by customers or end users. Production access should be restricted to authorized and qualified personnel only, as any changes or errors in production can affect the functionality, performance, or security of the systems or applications. Developers should not have write access to production, as they may introduce bugs, vulnerabilities, or inconsistencies in the code that can compromise the quality or reliability of the systems or applications. The other options are not as effective as removing production access from the developers, as they do not address the root cause of the problem or provide the same benefits. Hiring another person to perform migration to production is a costly solution that can help segregate the roles and responsibilities of developers and migrators, but it does not remove production access from the developers. Implementing continuous monitoring controls is a good practice that can help detect and correct any issues or anomalies in production, but it does not remove production access from the developers. Performing a user access review for the development team is a detective control that can help verify and validate the access rights and privileges of developers, but it does not remove production access from the developers. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 3, Section 3.2

 The primary concern when negotiating a contract for a hot site is the availability of the site in the event of multiple disaster declarations. A hot site is a fully equipped alternative facility that can be used to resume business operations in the event of a disaster. However, if multiple clients of the hot site provider declare a disaster at the same time, there may be a shortage of resources or capacity to accommodate all of them. Therefore, the contract should specify the terms and conditions for ensuring the availability and priority of the hot site for the organization. The other options are not as important as availability, as they do not affect the ability to use the hot site in a disaster situation. Coordination with the site staff in the event of multiple disaster declarations is a logistical issue that can be resolved by communication and planning. Reciprocal agreements with other organizations are alternative arrangements that can be used to share resources or facilities in a disaster, but they may not be as reliable or suitable as a hot site. Complete testing of the recovery plan is a good practice that can help validate and improve the effectiveness of the recovery plan, but it is not a concern for negotiating a contract for a hot site. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 4, Section 4.2.3

One benefit of return on investment (ROI) analysis in IT decision making is that it provides the basis for allocating financial resources. ROI analysis is a method of evaluating the profitability or cost-effectiveness of an IT project or investment by comparing the expected benefits with the required costs. ROI analysis can help IT decision makers prioritize and justify their IT initiatives, allocate their financial resources optimally, and demonstrate the value contribution of IT to the organization’s goals and objectives. Basis for allocating indirect costs, cost of replacing equipment, and estimated cost of ownership are not benefits of ROI analysis in IT decision making. These are more inputs or outputs of ROI analysis that could be used to calculate or estimate the costs or benefits of an IT project or investment. References: [ISACA CISA Review Manual 27th Edition], page 307

The IS auditor’s most important course of action after finding that several similar incidents were logged during the audit period is to determine if a root cause analysis was conducted. A root cause analysis is a systematic process that identifies the underlying causes of system failures or incidents. A root cause analysis can help to prevent recurrence of similar incidents, improve system performance and reliability, and enhance incident management processes. The IS auditor should evaluate whether a root cause analysis was performed for each incident, whether it was timely and thorough, and whether it resulted in effective corrective actions.

 Data integrity is the property that ensures that data is accurate, complete, consistent, and reliable throughout its lifecycle. The best data integrity check is tracing data back to the point of origin, which is the source where the data was originally created or captured. This check can verify that data has not been altered or corrupted during transmission, processing, or storage. It can also identify any errors or discrepancies in data entry or conversion. Counting the transactions processed per day is a performance measure that does not directly assess data integrity. Performing a sequence check is a validity check that ensures that data follows a predefined order or pattern. It can detect missing or out-of-order data elements, but it cannot verify their accuracy or completeness. Preparing and running test data is a testing technique that simulates real data to evaluate how a system handles different scenarios. It can help identify errors or bugs in the system logic or functionality, but it cannot ensure data integrity in production environments. References: Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience, CISA Review Manual (Digital Version)

The most effective control for protecting the confidentiality and integrity of data stored unencrypted on virtual machines is to monitor access to stored images and snapshots of virtual machines. Images and snapshots are copies of virtual machines that can be used for backup, restoration, or cloning purposes. If data stored on virtual machines are unencrypted, they may be exposed or compromised if unauthorized or malicious users access or copy the images or snapshots. Therefore, monitoring access to stored images and snapshots can help detect and prevent any unauthorized or suspicious activities, and provide audit trails for accountability and investigation.

Restricting access to images and snapshots of virtual machines, limiting creation of virtual machine images and snapshots, and reviewing logical access controls on virtual machines regularly are not the most effective controls for protecting the confidentiality and integrity of data stored unencrypted on virtual machines. These controls may help reduce the risk or impact of data exposure or compromise, but they do not provide sufficient visibility or assurance of data protection. Restricting access to images and snapshots may not prevent authorized users from abusing their privileges or credentials. Limiting creation of virtual machine images and snapshots may not address the existing copies that may contain sensitive data. Reviewing logical access controls on virtual machines regularly may not reflect the actual access activities on images and snapshots.

The best test to provide assurance that a health care organization is handling patient data appropriately is compliance with local laws and regulations, as these are the primary sources of authority and obligation for data protection and privacy. Compliance with action plans, industry standards, or organizational policies and procedures are also important, but they may not cover all the legal requirements or reflect the current best practices for handling patient data. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 2, Section 2.3

The first step when planning a penetration test is to obtain management consent for the testing. This is because a penetration test involves simulating a cyberattack against the organization’s systems and networks, which may have legal, ethical, and operational implications. Without proper authorization from management, a penetration test may violate laws, policies, contracts, or service level agreements. Management consent also helps define the objectives, scope, and boundaries of the test, as well as the roles and responsibilities of the testers and the stakeholders. Obtaining management consent for the testing also demonstrates due care and due diligence on the part of the testers and the organization.

Executing nondisclosure agreements (NDAs), determining reporting requirements for vulnerabilities, and defining the testing scope are important steps when planning a penetration test, but they are not the first step. These steps should be done after obtaining management consent for the testing, as they depend on the approval and involvement of management and other parties.

Moving validation controls from the server side into the browser would most likely increase the risk of a successful attack by structured query language (SQL) injection. SQL injection is a technique that exploits a security vulnerability in an application’s database layer by inserting malicious SQL statements into user input fields. Validation controls are used to check and filter user input before sending it to the database. If these controls are moved to the browser, they can be easily bypassed or modified by an attacker, who can then execute arbitrary SQL commands on the database. References: CISA Review Manual, 27th Edition, page 361

 An employee is induced to reveal confidential IP addresses and passwords by answering questions over the phone. This is a social engineering attack method that exploits the trust or curiosity of the employee to obtain sensitive information that can be used to access or compromise the network. According to the web search results, social engineering is a technique that uses psychological manipulation to trick users into making security mistakes or giving away sensitive information1. Phishing, whaling, baiting, and pretexting are some of the common forms of social engineering attacks2. Social engineering attacks are often more effective and profitable than purely technical attacks, as they rely on human error rather than system vulnerabilities

 When an IS audit reveals that a firewall was unable to recognize a number of attack attempts, the auditor’s best recommendation is to place an intrusion detection system (IDS) between the firewall and the Internet, as this would provide an additional layer of security and alert the organization of any malicious traffic that bypasses or penetrates the firewall. Placing an IDS between the firewall and the demilitarized zone (DMZ), the organization’s web server, or the organization’s network would not be as effective, as it would only monitor the traffic that has already passed through the firewall. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 5, Section 5.4.3

 The best method to safeguard data on an organization’s laptop computers is full disk encryption. Full disk encryption is a technique that encrypts all the data stored on a hard drive, including the operating system, applications, files, and folders. This means that if the laptop is lost, stolen, or accessed by an unauthorized person, they will not be able to read or modify any data without knowing the encryption key or password. Full disk encryption provides a strong level of protection for data at rest, as it prevents data leakage or exposure in case of physical theft or loss of the device.

References:

How to Protect the Data on Your Laptop

6 Steps to Practice Strong Laptop Security

Application level firewalls are the best control to prevent the transfer of files to external parties through instant messaging (IM) applications, because they can inspect and filter network traffic based on application-specific protocols and commands, such as IM file transfer commands. Application level firewalls can block or allow IM file transfers based on predefined rules or policies. File level encryption, file transfer protocol (FTP), and instant messaging policy are not effective controls to prevent IM file transfers, because they do not restrict or monitor IM network traffic. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 5, Section 5.4.1

Reviewing input and output control reports to verify the accuracy of the system decisions is the most important procedure for the IS auditor to perform during the post-implementation review of intelligent-agent software for granting loans to customers, because it can help identify any errors or anomalies in the system logic or data that may affect the quality and reliability of the system outcomes. Reviewing system and error logs, signed approvals, and system documentation are also important procedures, but they are not as critical as verifying the accuracy of the system decisions. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 4, Section 4.2.21

 To confirm integrity for a hashed message, the receiver should use the same hashing algorithm as the sender’s to create a binary image of the file. A hashing algorithm is a mathematical function that transforms an input data into a fixed-length output value, called a hash or a digest. A hashing algorithm has two main properties: it is one-way, meaning that it is easy to compute the hash from the input, but hard to recover the input from the hash; and it is collision-resistant, meaning that it is very unlikely to find two different inputs that produce the same hash. These properties make hashing algorithms useful for verifying the integrity of data, as any change in the input data will result in a different hash value. Therefore, to confirm integrity for a hashed message, the receiver should use the same hashing algorithm as the sender’s to create a binary image of the file, which is a representation of the file in bits (0s and 1s). The receiver should then compare this binary image with the hash value sent by the sender. If they match, then the message has not been altered in transit. If they do not match, then the message has been corrupted or tampered with.

References:

Ensuring Data Integrity with Hash Codes

Message Integrity

Implementing business rules to validate employee data entry is the best way to reduce the likelihood of future occurrences of poor data quality that cause customer complaints about receiving different items from what they ordered on the organization’s website. Business rules are logical statements that define the conditions and actions for data validation, such as checking for data completeness, accuracy, consistency, and integrity. Assigning responsibility for improving data quality, investing in additional employee training for data entry, and outsourcing data cleansing activities to reliable third parties are also possible ways to improve data quality, but they are not as effective as implementing business rules to validate employee data entry. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 4, Section 4.3.1

The most effective way to maintain network integrity when using mobile devices is to implement network access control. Network access control is a security control that regulates and restricts access to network resources based on predefined policies and criteria, such as device type, identity, location, or security posture. Network access control can help maintain network integrity when using mobile devices by preventing unauthorized or compromised devices from accessing or affecting network systems or data. The other options are not as effective as network access control in maintaining network integrity when using mobile devices, as they do not address all aspects of network access or security. Implementing outbound firewall rules is a security control that filters and blocks network traffic based on source, destination, protocol, or port, but it does not regulate or restrict network access based on device characteristics or conditions. Performing network reviews is a monitoring activity that evaluates and reports on the performance, availability, or security of network resources, but it does not regulate or restrict network access based on device characteristics or conditions. Reviewing access control lists is a verification activity that validates and confirms the access rights and privileges of network users or devices, but it does not regulate or restrict network access based on device characteristics or conditions. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 5, Section 5.2.2

If an IS audit reveals that an organization is not proactively addressing known vulnerabilities, the IS auditor should recommend that the organization assess the security risks to the business first, as this would help to prioritize the vulnerabilities based on their impact and likelihood, and determine the appropriate mitigation strategies. Verifying the disaster recovery plan (DRP) has been tested, ensuring the intrusion prevention system (IPS) is effective, and confirming the incident response team understands the issue are important steps, but they are not as urgent as assessing the security risks to the business. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 5, Section 5.6

 User requirements are statements that describe what the users expect from the software system in terms of functionality, quality, and usability. They are essential inputs for the software development process, as they guide the design, implementation, testing, and deployment of the system. Therefore, an IS auditor’s greatest concern when reviewing the early stages of a software development project would be the lack of acceptance criteria behind user requirements. Acceptance criteria are measurable conditions that define when a user requirement is met or satisfied. They help ensure that the user requirements are clear, complete, consistent, testable, and verifiable. Without acceptance criteria, it would be difficult to evaluate whether the system meets the user expectations and delivers value to the organization. Technical documentation, such as program code, is usually produced in later stages of the software development process. Completion of all requirements at the end of each sprint is not mandatory in agile software development methods, as long as there is a prioritized backlog of requirements that can be delivered incrementally. A detailed unit and system test plan is also important for ensuring software quality, but it depends on well-defined user requirements and acceptance criteria. References: Information Systems Acquisition, Development & Implementation, CISA Review Manual (Digital Version)

The best way to assess the effectiveness of changes made to processes and tools related to an organization’s BCP is to review the full test results of the BCP. Full test results can provide evidence of whether the changes have improved the BCP’s objectives, such as recovery time objectives (RTOs), recovery point objectives (RPOs), and business impact analysis (BIA). The other options are not as effective as reviewing the full test results, as they do not demonstrate the actual performance of the BCP under simulated disaster scenarios. Completed test plans are only documents that outline the scope, objectives, and procedures of the BCP testing, but they do not show the outcomes or issues encountered during the testing. Updated inventory of systems is a component of the BCP that identifies the critical systems and resources required for business continuity, but it does not measure the effectiveness of the BCP changes. Change management processes are controls that ensure that changes to the BCP are authorized, documented, and communicated, but they do not evaluate the impact or benefit of the changes. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 4, Section 4.2.3

The expected costs for recovering the business would be used when performing a business impact analysis (BIA). A BIA is a process of identifying and evaluating the potential effects of disruptions to critical business functions or processes. A BIA helps to determine the recovery priorities, strategies, and resources needed to resume normal operations after a disruption. One of the key outputs of a BIA is an estimate of the financial losses or costs associated with different types of disruptions, such as lost revenue, increased expenses, contractual penalties, or regulatory fines.

 An IT balanced scorecard is a strategic management tool that aligns IT objectives with business goals and measures the performance of IT processes using key performance indicators (KPIs). It is the most effective means of monitoring governance of enterprise IT, which is the process of ensuring that IT supports the organization’s strategy and objectives. Governance of enterprise IT covers aspects such as IT value delivery, IT risk management, IT resource management, and IT performance measurement. An IT balanced scorecard can help monitor these aspects and provide feedback to improve IT governance. References: ISACA Frameworks: Blueprints for Success, CISA Review Manual (Digital Version)

The best recommendation to address the risk of privileged application accounts with passwords set to never expire in a 24/7 processing environment is to introduce database access monitoring into the environment. Database access monitoring is a security control that tracks and records all activities and transactions performed on a database, especially by privileged users or accounts. Database access monitoring can help address the risk of privileged application accounts with passwords set to never expire by detecting and alerting any unauthorized or abnormal access or actions on the database. The other options are not as effective as database access monitoring in addressing the risk, as they may cause disruption to the business or violate the access management policy. Modifying applications to no longer require direct access to the database is a complex and costly solution that may affect the functionality or performance of the applications, and it may not be feasible or practical in a 24/7 processing environment. Modifying the access management policy to make allowances for application accounts is a risky solution that may create exceptions or loopholes in the policy, and it may not comply with the best practices or standards for password management. Scheduling downtime to implement password changes is a disruptive solution that may affect the availability or continuity of the systems or applications, and it may not be acceptable or possible in a 24/7 processing environment. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 5, Section 5.2.4

The best recommendation to prevent fraudulent electronic funds transfers by accounts payable employees is dual control. Dual control is a segregation of duties control that requires two or more individuals to perform or authorize a transaction or activity. Dual control can prevent fraudulent electronic funds transfers by requiring independent verification and approval of payment requests, amounts, and recipients by different accounts payable employees. The other options are not as effective as dual control in preventing fraudulent electronic funds transfers, as they do not involve independent checks or approvals. Periodic vendor reviews are detective controls that can help identify any irregularities or anomalies in vendor payments, but they do not prevent fraudulent electronic funds transfers from occurring. Independent reconciliation is a detective control that can help compare and confirm payment records with bank statements, but it does not prevent fraudulent electronic funds transfers from occurring. Re-keying of monetary amounts is an input control that can help detect any errors or discrepancies in payment amounts, but it does not prevent fraudulent electronic funds transfers from occurring. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 3, Section 3.2

 Write access to production program libraries presents the greatest risk when granted to a new member of the system development staff. Production program libraries contain executable code that runs on live systems and supports critical business functions. Write access allows a user to modify or delete existing programs, or add new programs to the library. If a user were to make unauthorized or erroneous changes to production programs, it could cause serious disruptions, errors, or security breaches in the organization’s operations. Therefore, write access to production program libraries should be restricted to authorized personnel only, and subject to strict change management controls. 

Deferring remediation testing until the next audit is justified only when there are significant changes in the audit environment that affect the relevance or validity of the audit observations and recommendations. For example, if there are changes in the business processes, systems, regulations, or risks that require a new audit scope or approach. The other options are not valid justifications for deferring remediation testing, as they do not address the timeliness or quality of the audit follow-up process. The auditor who conducted the audit and agreed with the timeline has left the organization does not affect the responsibility of the audit function to ensure that remediation testing is performed as planned. Management’s planned actions are sufficient given the relative importance of the observations does not guarantee that management will actually implement those actions or that they will be effective in addressing the audit issues. Auditee management has accepted all observations reported by the auditor does not eliminate the need for verification of remediation actions by an independent party. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 2, Section 2.4

 The most important consideration for a go-live decision when implementing an upgraded enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is the business case. The business case is the document that defines and justifies the need, value, feasibility, and risks of the project. It also outlines the expected costs, benefits, outcomes, and impacts of the project. The business case provides the basis for measuring and evaluating the success of the project. Therefore, before deciding to go live with an upgraded ERP system, it is essential to review and validate the business case to ensure that it is still relevant, accurate, realistic, and achievable.

A rollback strategy, test cases, and post-implementation review objectives are not the most important considerations for a go-live decision when implementing an upgraded ERP system. These are important elements of project planning, execution, and evaluation, but they are not sufficient to determine whether the project is worth pursuing or delivering. These elements should be aligned with and derived from the business case.

The most important prerequisite for the protection of physical information assets in a data center is a complete and accurate list of information assets that have been deployed. Information assets are any data, devices, systems, or software that have value for the organization and need to be protected from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, modification, or destruction4. A data center is a facility that houses various information assets such as servers, storage devices, network equipment, etc., that support the organization’s IT operations and services5. A complete and accurate list of information assets that have been deployed in a data center can help to identify and classify the assets based on their importance, sensitivity, or criticality for the organization. This can help to determine the appropriate level of protection and security measures that need to be applied to each asset. A complete and accurate list of information assets can also help to track and monitor the location, status, ownership, usage, configuration, maintenance, etc., of each asset. This can help to prevent or detect any unauthorized or inappropriate changes or movements of assets that may compromise their security or integrity. Segregation of duties between staff ordering and staff receiving information assets, availability and testing of onsite backup generators, and knowledge of the IT staff regarding data protection requirements are also important prerequisites for the protection of physical information assets in a data center, but not as important as a complete and accurate list of information assets that have been deployed. These factors are more related to the implementation and maintenance of security controls and procedures that depend on having a complete and accurate list of information assets as a starting point. References: ISACA CISA Review Manual 27th Edition, page 308

 Secure code reviews as part of a continuous deployment program are preventive controls. Preventive controls are controls that aim to prevent or avoid undesirable events or outcomes from occurring, such as errors, defects, or incidents. Secure code reviews are activities that examine and evaluate the source code of a software or application to identify and eliminate any vulnerabilities, flaws, or weaknesses that may compromise its security, functionality, or performance. Secure code reviews as part of a continuous deployment program can help prevent or avoid security issues or incidents from occurring by ensuring that the code is secure and compliant before it is deployed to production. The other options are not correct types of controls for secure code reviews as part of a continuous deployment program, as they have different meanings and functions. Detective controls are controls that aim to detect or discover undesirable events or outcomes that have occurred, such as errors, defects, or incidents. Logical controls are controls that use software or hardware mechanisms to regulate or restrict access to IT resources, such as data, systems, or networks. Corrective controls are controls that aim to correct or rectify undesirable events or outcomes that have occurred, such as errors, defects, or incidents. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 3, Section 3.2

The best way to protect sensitive information such as personally identifiable information (PII) stored in a particular data format while allowing the software developers to use it in development and test environments is data masking. Data masking is a technique that replaces or obscures sensitive data elements with fictitious or modified data elements that retain the original format and characteristics of the data. Data masking can help protect sensitive information such as PII stored in a particular data format while allowing the software developers to use it in development and test environments by preventing the exposure or disclosure of the real data values without affecting the functionality or performance of the software or application. The other options are not as effective as data masking in protecting sensitive information such as PII stored in a particular data format while allowing the software developers to use it in development and test environments, as they have different limitations or drawbacks. Data tokenization is a technique that replaces sensitive data elements with non-sensitive tokens that have no intrinsic value or meaning. Data tokenization can protect sensitive information such as PII from unauthorized access or theft, but it may not retain the original format and characteristics of the data, which may affect the functionality or performance of the software or application. Data encryption is a technique that transforms sensitive data elements into unreadable or unintelligible ciphertext using an algorithm and a key. Data encryption can protect sensitive information such as PII from unauthorized access or modification, but it requires decryption to restore the original data values, which may introduce additional complexity or overhead to the software development process. Data abstraction is a technique that hides the details or complexity of data structures or operations from users or programmers by providing a simplified representation or interface. Data abstraction can help improve the usability or maintainability of software or applications, but it does not protect sensitive information such as PII from exposure or disclosure. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 5, Section 5.3.2

 An organization’s audit charter primarily describes the auditors’ authority to conduct audits. The audit charter is a formal document that defines the purpose, scope, responsibilities, and reporting relationships of the internal audit function. It also establishes the auditors’ right of access to information, records, personnel, and physical properties relevant to their work. The audit charter provides the basis for the auditors’ independence and accountability to the governing body and senior management. 

 The primary basis for selecting which IS audits to perform in the coming year is the organizational risk assessment. An organizational risk assessment is a formal process for identifying, evaluating, and controlling risks that may affect the achievement of the organization’s goals and objectives3. An organizational risk assessment can help IS auditors prioritize and plan their audit activities based on the level of risk exposure and impact of each area or process within the organization. An organizational risk assessment can also help IS auditors align their audit objectives and criteria with the organization’s strategy and performance indicators. Senior management’s request, prior year’s audit findings, and previous audit coverage and scope are also possible bases for selecting which IS audits to perform in the coming year, but not as primary as the organizational risk assessment. These factors are more secondary or supplementary sources of information that can help IS auditors refine or adjust their audit plan based on specific needs or issues identified by management or previous audits. However, these factors may not reflect the current or emerging risks that may affect the organization’s operations or performance. References: ISACA CISA Review Manual 27th Edition, page 295

 The first thing that should be done when an intrusion into an organization network is detected is to identify nodes that have been compromised. Identifying nodes that have been compromised is a critical step in responding to an intrusion, as it helps determine the scope, impact, and source of the attack, and enables the implementation of appropriate containment and recovery measures. The other options are not the first things that should be done when an intrusion into an organization network is detected, as they may be premature or ineffective without identifying nodes that have been compromised. Blocking all compromised network nodes is a containment measure that can help isolate and prevent the spread of the attack, but it may not be possible or feasible without identifying nodes that have been compromised. Contacting law enforcement is a reporting measure that can help seek external assistance and comply with legal obligations, but it may not be necessary or appropriate without identifying nodes that have been compromised. Notifying senior management is a communication measure that can help inform and escalate the incident, but it may not be urgent or accurate without identifying nodes that have been compromised. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 4, Section 4.2.2

Flooding the site with an excessive number of packets is an attack technique that will succeed because of an inherent security weakness in an Internet firewall. This type of attack is also known as a denial-of-service (DoS) attack or a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack if it involves multiple sources. The aim of this attack is to overwhelm the network bandwidth or the processing capacity of the firewall or the target system, rendering it unable to respond to legitimate requests or perform its normal functions. An Internet firewall is a device or software that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predefined rules. A firewall can block or allow traffic based on various criteria, such as source address, destination address, port number, protocol type, application type, etc. However, a firewall cannot prevent traffic from reaching its interface or distinguish between legitimate and malicious traffic based on its content or behavior. Therefore, a firewall is vulnerable to flooding attacks that exploit its limited resources. Phishing is an attack technique that involves sending fraudulent emails or messages that appear to come from legitimate sources, such as banks, government agencies, online services, etc., in order to trick recipients into revealing their personal or financial information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, bank account details, etc., or into clicking on malicious links or attachments that can infect their systems with malware or ransomware. Phishing does not exploit an inherent security weakness in an Internet firewall, but rather exploits human psychology and social engineering techniques. A firewall cannot prevent phishing emails or messages from reaching their intended targets, unless they contain some identifiable features that can be filtered out by the firewall rules. However, a firewall cannot detect or prevent users from responding to phishing emails or messages or from opening malicious links or attachments. Using a dictionary attack of encrypted passwords is an attack technique that involves trying to guess or crack passwords by using a list of common or likely passwords or by using a brute-force method that tries all possible combinations of characters. This type of attack does not exploit an inherent security weakness in an Internet firewall, but rather exploits weak or poorly chosen passwords or weak encryption algorithms. A firewall cannot prevent a dictionary attack of encrypted passwords, unless it has some mechanisms to detect and block repeated or suspicious login attempts or to enforce strong password policies. However, a firewall cannot protect passwords from being stolen or intercepted by other means, such as phishing, malware, keylogging, etc. Intercepting packets and viewing passwords is an attack technique that involves capturing and analyzing network traffic that contains sensitive information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, bank account details, etc., in order to use them for malicious purposes. This type of attack does not exploit an inherent security weakness in an Internet firewall, but rather exploits insecure or unencrypted network communication protocols or channels. A firewall cannot prevent packets from being intercepted and viewed by unauthorized parties, unless it has some mechanisms to encrypt or obfuscate the network traffic or to authenticate the source and destination of the traffic. However, a firewall cannot protect packets from being modified or tampered with by other means, such as man-in-the-middle attacks, replay attacks, etc. References: ISACA CISA Review Manual 27th Edition, page 300

 The IS auditor’s independence would be most likely impaired if they implemented a specific control during the development of an application system. This is because the IS auditor would be auditing their own work, which creates a self-review threat that could compromise their objectivity and impartiality. The IS auditor should avoid participating in any operational or management activities that could affect their ability to perform an unbiased audit. The other options do not pose a significant threat to the IS auditor’s independence, as long as they follow the ethical standards and guidelines of the profession.

 A business continuity plan (BCP) is a system of prevention and recovery from potential threats to a company. The plan ensures that personnel and assets are protected and are able to function quickly in the event of a disaster1. A core part of a BCP is the documentation of workaround processes to keep a business function operational during recovery of IT systems. Workaround processes are alternative methods or procedures that can be used to perform a business function when the normal IT systems are unavailable or disrupted2. For example, if an online payment system is down, a workaround process could be to accept manual payments or use a backup system. Workaround processes help to minimize the impact of IT disruptions on the business operations and ensure continuity of service to customers and stakeholders3.

References:

1 explains what is a business continuity plan and why it is important.

2 defines what is a workaround process and how it can be used in a BCP.

3 provides examples of workaround processes for different business functions.

Ransomware is a type of malicious software that encrypts the victim’s data and demands a ransom for its decryption1. Ransomware attacks can cause significant damage to an organization’s operations, reputation, and finances1. Therefore, it is important to mitigate the impact of ransomware attacks by implementing effective prevention and recovery strategies.

One of the best ways to mitigate the impact of ransomware attacks is to back up data frequently12345. Data backups are copies of the organization’s data that are stored in a separate location or medium, such as an external hard drive, cloud storage, or tape2. Data backups can help the organization restore its data in case of a ransomware attack, without paying the ransom or losing valuable information2. Data backups should be performed regularly, preferably daily or weekly, depending on the criticality and volume of the data2. Data backups should also be tested periodically to ensure their integrity and usability2.

The other options are not as effective as backing up data frequently in mitigating the impact of ransomware attacks. Invoking the disaster recovery plan (DRP) is a reactive measure that can help the organization resume its operations after a ransomware attack, but it does not prevent or reduce the damage caused by the attack3. Paying the ransom is not a recommended option, as it does not guarantee the decryption of the data or the deletion of the stolen data by the attackers. Paying the ransom also encourages further attacks and funds criminal activities14. Requiring password changes for administrative accounts is a good security practice, but it is not sufficient to prevent or recover from ransomware attacks. Ransomware attacks can exploit other vulnerabilities, such as phishing emails, outdated software, or weak network security15.

References: 1: How to Mitigate the Risk of Ransomware Attacks: The Definitive Guide 2: Mitigating malware and ransomware attacks - The National Cyber Security Centre 3: 3 steps to prevent and recover from ransomware 4: Ransomware Epidemic: Use these 8 Strategies to Mitigate Risk 5: Practical Steps to Mitigate Ransomware Attacks - ITSecurityWire

 The metric that best indicates the effectiveness of awareness training is the number of users reporting receipt of the email to the information security team. This shows that the users are able to recognize and report a phishing email, which is a common social engineering technique used by attackers to trick users into revealing sensitive information or installing malicious software. The other metrics do not demonstrate a high level of security awareness, as they either ignore, follow, or forward the phishing email, which could expose the organization to potential risks. References: CISA Review Manual, 27th Edition, page 326

 Coding standards provide field naming conventions, which are rules for naming variables, constants, functions, classes, and other elements in a program. Coding standards help to ensure consistency, readability, maintainability, and portability of code. Program documentation, access control tables, and data flow diagrams are not part of coding standards. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 4, Section 4.3.1

 The decision to accept an IT control risk related to data quality should be the responsibility of the business owner. The business owner is the person who has the authority and accountability for the business process that relies on the data quality. The business owner should understand the impact of data quality issues on the business objectives, performance, and compliance. The business owner should also be involved in defining the data quality requirements, assessing the data quality risks, and implementing the data quality controls or mitigation strategies.

Parallel processing is a system implementation approach that involves running the new system and the old system simultaneously for a period of time until the new system is verified and accepted. The primary advantage of parallel processing is that it provides assurance that the new system meets performance requirements and produces the same or better results as the old system. Parallel processing also minimizes the risk of system failure and data loss, as the old system can be used as a backup or fallback option in case of any problems with the new system.

Data loss can occur due to various reasons, such as accidental deletion, hardware failure, malware infection, theft, or unauthorized access. Data classification procedures can help to identify and protect sensitive data, but they are not sufficient to prevent data loss. The most effective way to protect against data loss is to conduct periodic security awareness training for employees, which can educate them on the importance of data security, the best practices for data handling and storage, and the common threats and risks to data. 

 A post-implementation review is a process of evaluating the outcome and benefits of a project or a system after it has been implemented. The main purpose of a post-implementation review is to determine to what extent the business requirements are being met by the new system. Therefore, the most likely aspect to be assessed is the results of line processing, which refers to the actual performance and functionality of the system in the operational environment.

Network topology diagrams are the most important for an IS auditor to review when evaluating the design of controls related to network monitoring, because they show how the network components are connected and configured, and what security measures are in place to protect the network from unauthorized access or attacks. Incident monitoring logs, the ISP service level agreement, and reports of network traffic analysis are useful for evaluating the effectiveness and performance of network monitoring, but not the design of controls. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 5, Section 5.3.3

 The effectiveness of a risk management program can be measured by how well it reduces the residual risk, which is the risk that remains after applying controls, to an acceptable level. Inherent risk is the risk that exists before applying any controls, and it cannot be eliminated completely. Control risk is the risk that the controls fail to prevent or detect a risk event, and it is a component of residual risk. Overall risk is not a meaningful metric for assessing the effectiveness of a risk management program, as it does not account for the impact and likelihood of different risk events. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 1, Section 1.2.2

 The best compensating control when segregation of duties is lacking in a small IS department is transaction log review. Transaction log review can help detect any unauthorized or fraudulent activities performed by IS staff who have access to multiple functions or systems. Transaction log review can also provide an audit trail for accountability and investigation purposes. The other options are not as effective as transaction log review in compensating for the lack of segregation of duties. Background checks are preventive controls that can help screen potential employees for any criminal records or dishonest behavior, but they do not prevent existing employees from abusing their access privileges. User awareness training is a detective control that can help educate users on how to report any suspicious or abnormal activities in the IS environment, but it does not monitor or verify the actions of IS staff. Mandatory holidays are deterrent controls that can discourage IS staff from engaging in fraudulent activities by requiring them to take periodic leave, but they do not prevent or detect such activities when they occur. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 3, Section 3.2

 Substantive testing provides the most reliable audit evidence on the validity of transactions in a financial application. Substantive testing is an audit procedure that examines the financial statements and supporting documentation to see if they contain errors or misstatements. Substantive testing can help to verify that the transactions recorded in the financial application are authorized, complete, accurate, and properly classified. Substantive testing can include methods such as vouching, confirmation, analytical procedures, or physical examination. 

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 IM traffic, 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

 The first course of action when a data breach has occurred due to malware is to quarantine the impacted systems. This means isolating the infected systems from the rest of the network and preventing any further communication or data transfer with them. This can help contain the spread of the malware, limit the damage and exposure of sensitive data, and facilitate the investigation and remediation of the incident. Quarantining the impacted systems can also help preserve the evidence and logs that may be needed for forensic analysis or legal action.

References:

[1] provides a guide on how to respond to a data breach caused by malware and recommends quarantining the impacted systems as the first step.

[2] explains what is malware and how it can cause data breaches, and suggests quarantining the infected devices as a best practice.

[3] describes the steps involved in quarantining a system infected by malware and the benefits of doing so.

The primary role of an audit reviewer with regard to evidence is to ensure that evidence is sufficient to support audit conclusions. Evidence is the information obtained by the auditor to provide a reasonable basis for the audit opinion or findings. Evidence should be sufficient, reliable, relevant, and useful to support the audit objectives and criteria. The audit reviewer should evaluate the quality and quantity of evidence collected by the auditor and determine if it is adequate to draw valid conclusions and recommendations. Ensuring unauthorized individuals do not tamper with evidence after it has been captured is a role of the auditor, not the audit reviewer. The auditor is responsible for safeguarding the evidence from loss, damage, or alteration during the audit process. The auditor should also document the source, date, and method of obtaining the evidence, as well as any limitations or restrictions on its use or disclosure. Ensuring appropriate statistical sampling methods were used is a role of the auditor, not the audit reviewer. The auditor is responsible for selecting an appropriate sampling method and technique that can provide sufficient evidence to achieve the audit objectives and criteria. The auditor should also document the sampling plan, population, sample size, selection method, evaluation method, and results. Ensuring evidence is labeled to show it was obtained from an approved source is a role of the auditor, not the audit reviewer. The auditor is responsible for labeling the evidence to indicate its origin, nature, and ownership. The auditor should also ensure that the evidence is obtained from reliable and credible sources that can be verified and corroborated. References: ISACA CISA Review Manual 27th Edition, page 295

When implementing Internet Protocol security (IPsec) architecture, the servers involved in application delivery communicate via Transport Layer Security (TLS), which is a protocol that provides encryption and authentication for data transmitted over a network. IPsec operates at the network layer and provides security for IP packets, while TLS operates at the transport layer and provides security for TCP connections. Blocking authorized users from unauthorized activities, channeling access only through the public-facing firewall, and channeling access through authentication are not functions of IPsec architecture. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 5, Section 5.4.2

The best way to ensure the quality and integrity of test procedures used in audit analytics is to centralize procedures and implement change control. Centralizing procedures means storing them in a common repository that can be accessed and updated by authorized users. Change control means implementing a process for tracking, reviewing, approving, and documenting any changes made to the procedures. This ensures that the procedures are consistent, accurate, reliable, and secure. References: CISA Review Manual, 27th Edition, page 401

Risk-based auditing is an audit approach that focuses on the analysis and management of risk within an organization. Risk-based auditing helps identify and prioritize the areas or processes that pose the highest risk to the organization’s objectives and allocate audit resources accordingly. Risk-based auditing also helps provide assurance and advisory services related to the organization’s risk management processes and controls. By using risk-based auditing, internal auditors can optimize the use of their audit resources and add value to the organization.

Agile auditing, continuous auditing, and outsourced auditing are not audit approaches that are most helpful in optimizing the use of IS audit resources. Agile auditing is a flexible and iterative audit methodology that adapts to changing circumstances and stakeholder needs. Continuous auditing is a method of performing audit activities on a real-time or near-real-time basis using automated tools and techniques. Outsourced auditing is a practice of contracting external auditors to perform some or all of the internal audit functions. These audit methods may have some advantages or disadvantages depending on the context and objectives of the audit, but they do not necessarily optimize the use of IS audit resources.

 Carbon dioxide fire suppression systems need to be combined with an automatic switch to shut down the electricity supply in the event of activation. This is because carbon dioxide displaces oxygen in the air and can create a suffocation hazard for people in the protected area. Therefore, it is essential to cut off the power source before releasing carbon dioxide to avoid electrical shocks and sparks that could ignite the fire again. Carbon dioxide systems are typically used for total flooding applications in spaces that are not habitable, such as server rooms or data centers. 

The primary factor to determine system criticality within an organization is the maximum allowable downtime (MAD). MAD is the maximum time frame during which recovery must become effective before an outage compromises the ability of an organization to achieve its business objectives and/or survival. MAD reflects the business impact of a system outage on the organization’s operations, reputation, compliance, and finances. MAD can help to prioritize system recovery efforts, allocate resources, and establish recovery objectives.

A balanced scorecard is a strategic planning framework that companies use to assign priority to their products, projects, and services; communicate about their targets or goals; and plan their routine activities1. The scorecard enables companies to monitor and measure the success of their strategies to determine how well they have performed. A balanced scorecard for IT management can help assess IT functions and processes by defining four perspectives: financial, customer, internal business process, and learning and growth2. These perspectives can help IT management align their IT objectives with the organization’s vision and mission, identify and prioritize the key performance indicators (KPIs) for IT, and evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of IT operations and services3.

References

1: Balanced Scorecard - Overview, Four Perspectives 2: The IT Balanced Scorecard (BSC) Explained - BMC Software 3: A BALANCED SCORECARD (BSC) FOR IT PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT - SAS Support

In reviewing the IT strategic plan, the IS auditor should consider whether it identifies the major IT initiatives that are aligned with the organization’s vision, mission, and objectives, and that support the business strategy and priorities12. The major IT initiatives should also be realistic, measurable, and achievable, and should have clear timelines, budgets, and responsibilities34.

References

1: IT Strategy Template for a Successful Strategic Plan | Gartner2 2: IT Strategy Template for a Successful Strategic Plan | Gartner4 3: Conduct a Strategic Plan Review & Assessment - Governance3 4: Time To Conduct A Strategy Review? Here’s How To Get Started1

The most important factor when defining the IS audit scope is to understand the relationship between IT and business risks, as this helps to identify the areas that have the most potential impact on the organization’s objectives, performance, and value. By understanding the IT and business risks, the IS auditor can focus the audit scope on the key processes, systems, controls, and issues that need to be assessed and addressed.

References

ISACA CISA Review Manual, 27th Edition, page 256

Ten Factors to Consider when Setting the Scope of an Internal Audit

What Is an Audit Scope? | Auditing Basics | KirkpatrickPrice

This directly addresses the gap for new hires, creates a consistent expectation regardless of hiring date, and formalizes the process within organizational policy.

References

ISACA CISA Review Manual (Current Edition) - Chapters on Information Security Policies, Training and Awareness

Industry Best Practices for Security Awareness - Emphasize the importance of timely and comprehensive training for new employees.

The best way to foster continuous improvement of IS audit processes and practices is to establish and embed quality assurance (QA) within the IS audit function, as this will ensure that the IS audit activities are aligned with the standards, expectations, and objectives of the organization and the stakeholders12. QA involves periodic internal and external assessments, benchmarking, feedback, and root cause analysis to identify and address gaps, issues, and opportunities for improvement34.

References

1: The Basics and Principles of Continuous Improvement4 2: ISO 9001 Auditing Practices Group Guidance on5 3: INSIGHTS TO QUALITY3 4: Continuous Auditing: Coordinating Continuous Auditing and Monitoring to Provide Continuous Assurance2

An IS auditor should be consulted during the requirements definition phase to recommend security controls. This ensures that security considerations are integrated from the beginning of the software development life cycle, leading to more secure software design and implementation.

References

ISACA CISA Review Manual 27th Edition, Page 240-241 (SDLC Phases)

The most important aspect of an incident response management program is the ability to detect incidents in a timely and accurate manner. Without effective detection, the organization cannot respond to incidents, mitigate their impact, or prevent their recurrence. The alerting tools and incident response team are responsible for monitoring the IT environment, identifying anomalies or threats, and notifying the appropriate stakeholders.

References

ISACA CISA Review Manual, 27th Edition, page 255

What is an incident response plan? And why do you need one?

ISACA CISA Certified Information Systems Auditor Exam … - PUPUWEB

A compliance gap analysis is a detailed review of an organization’s current state of compliance against a specific regulation or standard. It helps identify the areas and controls that are not meeting the requirements, assess their risk levels, and determine the corrective actions that can be taken to achieve compliance12. A compliance gap analysis is the most useful tool for an IS auditor to review when auditing against a new regulation, as it provides a clear and comprehensive picture of the compliance status, gaps, and remediation plan of the organization.

References

1: Information Security Architecture: Gap Assessment and Prioritization - ISACA

2: How to perform Compliance Gap Analysis? - Sprinto

An outsourced accounting application has the most inherent risk and should be prioritized during audit planning because it involves external parties, sensitive data, and complex transactions that are susceptible to material misstatement, error, or fraud12. An outsourced accounting application also requires more oversight and monitoring from the internal audit department to ensure compliance with the service level agreement and the organization’s policies and standards3.

References

1: Inherent Risk: Definition, Examples, and 3 Types of Audit Risks 2: 3 Types of Audit Risk - Inherent, Control and Detection - Accountinguide 3: IS Audit Basics: The Core of IT Auditing

The change management process is the set of procedures and activities that ensure that changes to the information system are authorized, tested, documented, and implemented in a controlled manner12. A defect in a recent release indicates that there may be issues with the quality assurance, testing, or approval of the changes, which could affect the reliability, security, and performance of the system3 . Therefore, the auditor’s next step should be to evaluate the change management process and identify the root cause of the defect, as well as the impact and remediation of the incident.

References

1: Change Management - CISA

2: What is Change Management? - Definition from Techopedia

3: How to Audit Change Management - ISACA Journal

The Business Case for Security | CISA

This control is best implemented through system configuration because it can be enforced automatically by setting a parameter in the network operating system or directory service. This ensures that temporary workers do not have access to the network beyond their authorized period, and reduces the risk of unauthorized or malicious use of their accounts12.

References1: Configuration and Change Management - CISA2: What is IT Governance? - Definition from Techopedia

The most important consideration when planning the next audit after many findings is to follow up on the status of all recommendations, as this will ensure that the audit findings are addressed in a timely and effective manner, and that the root causes of the issues are resolved12. Following up on the status of all recommendations will also help to assess the progress and performance of the IT department, and to identify any new or emerging risks or challenges34.

References

1: What to consider when resolving internal audit findings3 2: A brief guide to follow up4 3: Guidance on auditing planning for Internal Audit2 4: Corrective Action Plan (CAP): How to Manage Audit Findings1

The effectiveness of an organization’s security awareness program can be measured by capturing data on changes in the way people react to threats, such as the ability to recognize and avoid social engineering attacks1. An increase in the number of phishing emails reported by employees indicates that they are more aware of the signs and risks of phishing, and are more likely to take appropriate actions to prevent or mitigate the impact of such attacks23.

References

1: The Importance Of Measuring Security Awareness 2: Measuring the effectiveness of your security awareness program 3: How effective is security awareness training?

The effectiveness of an organization’s security awareness program can be measured by capturing data on changes in the way people react to threats, such as the ability to recognize and avoid social engineering attacks1. An increase in the number of phishing emails reported by employees indicates that they are more aware of the signs and risks of phishing, and are more likely to take appropriate actions to prevent or mitigate the impact of such attacks23.

References

1: The Importance Of Measuring Security Awareness 2: Measuring the effectiveness of your security awareness program 3: How effective is security awareness training?

Risk management techniques should be included in an IS development methodology. An IS development methodology is a set of guidelines, standards, and procedures that provide a structured and consistent approach to developing information systems. A good IS development methodology should cover all the phases of the system development life cycle (SDLC), from planning and analysis to design, implementation, testing, and maintenance1.

Risk management techniques are an essential part of an IS development methodology, as they help to identify, assess, prioritize, mitigate, monitor, and communicate the risks that may affect the success of the system development project. Risk management techniques can also help to ensure that the system meets the requirements and expectations of the stakeholders, complies with the relevant laws and regulations, and delivers value to the organization2.

The other options are not as relevant or appropriate as risk management techniques for an IS development methodology. Value-added activity analysis is a technique for evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of business processes, but it is not specific to IS development3. Access control rules are policies and mechanisms for restricting or granting access to information systems and resources, but they are more related to security management than IS development4. Incident management techniques are methods for handling and resolving incidents that disrupt the normal operation of information systems and services, but they are more related to service management than IS development5.

References:

ISACA, CISA Review Manual, 27th Edition, 2019, p. 1911

ISACA, CISA Review Manual, 27th Edition, 2019, p. 1942

Value-Added Activity Analysis3

Access Control Rules4

Incident Management Techniques5

The answer B is correct because a system-generated list of staff and their project assignments, roles, and responsibilities is the most useful to an IS auditor performing a review of access controls for a document management system. A document management system is a software that helps organizations store, manage, and share documents electronically. Access controls are the mechanisms that restrict or allow access to the documents based on predefined criteria, such as user identity, role, or project. An IS auditor needs to verify that the access controls are properly configured and implemented to ensure the security, confidentiality, and integrity of the documents.

A system-generated list of staff and their project assignments, roles, and responsibilities can help the IS auditor to perform the following tasks:

Identify the users who have access to the document management system and their level of access (e.g., read-only, edit, delete, etc.).

Compare the actual access rights of the users with their expected or authorized access rights based on their roles and responsibilities.

Detect any anomalies, discrepancies, or violations in the access rights of the users, such as excessive or unauthorized access, segregation of duties conflicts, or dormant or inactive accounts.

Evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the access control policies and procedures, such as user provisioning, deprovisioning, authentication, authorization, auditing, etc.

The other options are not as useful as option B. Policies and procedures for managing documents provided by department heads (option A) are not reliable sources of information for an IS auditor because they may not reflect the actual practices or compliance status of the document management system. Previous audit reports related to other departments’ use of the same system (option C) are not relevant for an IS auditor because they may not address the specific issues or risks associated with the current department’s use of the document management system. Information provided by the audit team lead on the authentication systems used by the department (option D) is not sufficient for an IS auditor because authentication is only one aspect of access control and it does not provide information on the authorization or auditing of the document access.

References:

Overview of document management in SharePoint

Setting Up a Document Control System: 6 Basic Steps

Access Control Management: Purpose, Types, Tools, & Benefits

9 Best Document Management Systems of 2023

The best indication to an IS auditor that management’s post-implementation review was effective is that lessons learned were documented and applied, as this shows that the management has identified and addressed the issues and gaps that arose during the implementation, and has improved the processes and practices for future projects. Business and IT stakeholders participating in the post-implementation review is a good practice, but it does not guarantee that the review was effective or that the outcomes were implemented. Post-implementation review being a formal phase in the system development life cycle (SDLC) is a requirement, but it does not ensure that the review was effective or that the outcomes were implemented. Internal audit follow-up being completed without any findings is a desirable result, but it does not indicate that the management’s post-implementation review was effective or that the outcomes were implemented. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 3: Information Systems Acquisition, Development and Implementation, Section 3.2: Project Management Practices1

The concept of materiality is most important for an IS auditor to apply when planning an audit engagement, because it helps the auditor to determine the scope, objectives, procedures and resources of the audit. Materiality is the degree to which an omission or misstatement of information could affect the users’ decisions or the achievement of the audit objectives. By applying the concept of materiality, the auditor can focus on the most significant and relevant areas of the audit and avoid wasting time and effort on trivial or immaterial matters. The other options are not as important as planning an audit engagement, because they are either based on or affected by the materiality assessment done during the planning phase. References:

ISACA, CISA Review Manual, 27th Edition, chapter 1, section 1.31

ISACA, IT Audit and Assurance Standards, Guidelines and Tools and Techniques for IS Audit and Assurance Professionals, section 12022

 The organization is primarily responsible for the security configurations of the deployed application’s operating system when migrating its HR application to an Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) model in a private cloud. This is because in an IaaS model, the cloud provider is responsible for the security of the underlying infrastructure that they lease to their customers, such as servers, storage, and networks, while the customer is responsible for the security of the areas of the cloud infrastructure over which they have control, such as operating systems, middleware, and applications. Therefore, the organization needs to ensure that the operating system is properly configured, patched, hardened, and monitored to protect the HR application from unauthorized access or malicious attacks.

The other options are not primarily responsible for the security configurations of the deployed application’s operating system. The cloud provider’s external auditor is not responsible for any security configurations, but rather for verifying and reporting on the cloud provider’s compliance with relevant standards and regulations. The cloud provider is responsible for the security of the underlying infrastructure, but not for the operating system or any software installed on it by the customer. The operating system vendor is responsible for providing updates and patches for the operating system, but not for configuring or securing it according to the customer’s needs.

References:

11: What Is IaaS (Infrastructure As A Service)? - Forbes

12: What is Shared Responsibility Model? - Check Point Software

13: Who Is Responsible for Cloud Security? - Security Intelligence

The most helpful thing for an IS auditor when assessing the effectiveness of controls is the results of control testing, as this provides objective and reliable evidence of how well the controls are designed and operating in practice. A control self-assessment (CSA) is a technique that involves the participation of process owners and stakeholders in evaluating the effectiveness of controls, but it may not be as rigorous or independent as control testing. Interviews with management are useful for gaining an understanding of the control environment and culture, but they may not reflect the actual performance of controls. A control matrix is a tool that maps the controls to the objectives, risks, and requirements, but it does not measure the effectiveness of controls. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 1: Information Systems Auditing Process, Section 1.3: IT Audit Process

The best way to sanitize a hard disk for reuse to ensure the organization’s information cannot be accessed is data wiping. Data wiping is a process that overwrites the data on the hard disk with random or meaningless patterns, making it unrecoverable by any software or hardware methods. Data wiping can provide a high level of security and assurance that the organization’s information is permanently erased from the hard disk, and that it cannot be accessed by unauthorized parties or malicious actors.

Re-partitioning is not a way to sanitize a hard disk for reuse, but rather a way to organize the hard disk into different logical sections or volumes. Re-partitioning does not erase the data on the hard disk, but only changes the structure and allocation of the disk space. Re-partitioning may make the data inaccessible to the operating system, but not to other tools or methods that can scan or recover the data from the disk sectors.

Degaussing is a way to sanitize a hard disk for reuse, but only for magnetic hard disks, not solid state drives (SSDs). Degaussing is a process that exposes the hard disk to a strong magnetic field, which disrupts and destroys the magnetic alignment of the data on the disk platters. Degaussing can effectively erase the data on magnetic hard disks, but it can also damage or render unusable the electronic components of the hard disk, such as the read/write heads or circuit boards. Degaussing also does not work on SSDs, which store data using flash memory cells, not magnetic media.

Formatting is not a way to sanitize a hard disk for reuse, but rather a way to prepare the hard disk for use by an operating system. Formatting is a process that creates a file system on the hard disk, which defines how the data is stored and accessed on the disk. Formatting does not erase the data on the hard disk, but only deletes the file system metadata and marks the disk space as available for new data. Formatting may make the data invisible to the operating system, but not to other tools or methods that can restore or recover the data from the disk sectors.

References:

How to Wipe A Hard Drive for Reuse? Check the Quickest Way to Wipe A Hard Drive - EaseUS 1

HP PCs - Using Secure Erase or HP Disk Sanitizer 2

HOW to QUICKLY and PERMANENTLY SANITIZE ANY DRIVE (SSD, USB thumb drive …) 

 Sampling risk is the risk that the auditor’s conclusion based on a sample may be different from the conclusion that would be reached if the entire population was tested using the same audit procedure. Sampling risk can lead to either incorrect rejection or incorrect acceptance of the audit objective. The best way to minimize sampling risk is to perform statistical sampling. Statistical sampling is a method of selecting and evaluating a sample using probability theory and mathematical calculations. Statistical sampling allows auditors to measure and control the sampling risk by determining the appropriate sample size and selection method, and evaluating the results using confidence levels and precision intervals. Statistical sampling can also provide more objective and consistent results than judgmental sampling, which relies on the auditor’s professional judgment and experience.

References:

6: Sampling Risks: Definition, Example, and Explanation - Wikiaccounting

7: Sampling Risk in Audit | Sampling vs non sampling risk - Accountinguide

9: Audit sampling | ACCA Qualification | Students | ACCA Global

The best assurance of data integrity after file transfers is hash values. Hash values are unique strings that are generated by applying a mathematical function to the data. Hash values can be used to verify that the data has not been altered or corrupted during the transfer, as any change in the data would result in a different hash value. By comparing the hash values of the source and destination files, one can confirm that the data is identical and intact.

The other options are not as effective as hash values for ensuring data integrity after file transfers. Check digits are digits added to a number to detect errors in data entry or transmission, but they are not reliable for detecting intentional or complex modifications of the data. Monetary unit sampling is a statistical sampling technique used for auditing financial statements, but it is not applicable for verifying data integrity after file transfers. Reasonableness check is a validation method that checks whether the data falls within an expected range or format, but it does not guarantee that the data is accurate or consistent with the source.

References:

5: On Windows, how to check that data is unchanged after copying? - Super User

6: Data integrity | Cloud Storage Transfer Service Documentation | Google Cloud

7: Checking File Integrity - HECC Knowledge Base

8: How to setup File Transfer Integrity Checks - Progress.com

 A computer forensic audit is a process of collecting, preserving, analyzing, and presenting digital evidence from electronic devices in a legally admissible manner. It is most relevant in situations where data loss due to hacking of servers occurs, as it can help to identify the source, method, and extent of the attack, as well as recover the lost or damaged data. The other options are not as suitable for a computer forensic audit, as they relate to internal control issues, data quality issues, or system maintenance issues, which can be addressed by other types of audits or reviews. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Domain 4: Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience, Section 4.5 Computer Forensics1

A firewall between internal network segments improves security and reduces risk by inspecting all traffic flowing between network segments and applying security policies. This will prevent unauthorized or malicious access, data leakage, or network attacks from compromising the network resources or data. Logging all packets passing through network segments may provide audit trails and evidence, but not prevent or mitigate security incidents. Monitoring and reporting on sessions between network participants may help to identify anomalous or suspicious activities, but not block or filter them. Ensuring all connecting systems have appropriate security controls enabled may enhance the overall network security posture, but not isolate or segregate different network segments. References: Info Technology & Systems Resources | COBIT, Risk, Governance … - ISACA, section “Book COBIT 2019 Design Guide: Designing an Information and Technology Governance Solution | Digital | English”

 The greatest concern with this situation is that a business-critical application does not currently have any level of fault tolerance and thus has a single point of failure. A single point of failure is a component or element of a system that, if it fails, will cause the entire system to stop functioning. Fault tolerance is the ability of a system to continue operating without interruption or degradation in the event of a failure of one or more of its components or elements. Fault tolerance can be achieved by using techniques such as redundancy, replication, backup, or failover. A business-critical application should have a high level of fault tolerance to ensure its availability, reliability, and continuity. References:

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

CISA Online Review Course, Domain 3, Module 3, Lesson 22

 The best option to provide an IS auditor assurance that the interface between a point-of-sale (POS) system and the general ledger is transferring sales data completely and accurately is A. Electronic copies of customer sales receipts are maintained. Electronic copies of customer sales receipts are records of the transactions that occurred at the POS system, which can be compared with the data transferred to the general ledger. This can help detect any errors, omissions, or discrepancies in the data transfer process and ensure that the sales data is complete and accurate.

The other options are not as effective as A in providing assurance that the interface between the POS system and the general ledger is transferring sales data completely and accurately. B. Monthly bank statements are reconciled without exception. Monthly bank statements are records of the cash inflows and outflows of the organization, which may not match with the sales data recorded by the POS system and the general ledger. For example, there may be delays, discounts, returns, or refunds that affect the cash flow but not the sales revenue. Therefore, reconciling monthly bank statements without exception does not necessarily mean that the sales data is complete and accurate. C. Nightly batch processing has been replaced with real-time processing. Nightly batch processing is a method of transferring data from the POS system to the general ledger in batches at a scheduled time, usually at night. Real-time processing is a method of transferring data from the POS system to the general ledger as soon as the transactions occur. Real-time processing may improve the timeliness and efficiency of the data transfer process, but it does not guarantee that the sales data is complete and accurate. There may still be errors, omissions, or discrepancies in the data transfer process that need to be detected and corrected. D. The data transferred over the POS interface is encrypted. Encryption is a process of transforming data into an unreadable form using a secret key or algorithm, so that only authorized parties can access the original data. Encryption protects the confidentiality and security of the data transferred over the POS interface, but it does not ensure that the sales data is complete and accurate. There may still be errors, omissions, or discrepancies in the data transfer process that need to be detected and corrected.

References:

ISACA, CISA Review Manual, 27th Edition, 2019, p. 2471

ISACA, CISA Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Database - 12 Month Subscription2

Sales Audit Overview - Oracle3

Notes on Audit of Ledgers - Guidelines to Auditors - Accountlearning

Controls related to authorized modifications to production programs are best tested by tracing modifications from the original request for change forward to the executable program, as this ensures that the change management process was followed and that the modifications were approved, documented, tested, and implemented correctly. Tracing modifications from the executable program back to the original request for change may not reveal any unauthorized or undocumented changes that occurred during the process. Testing only the authorizations to implement the new program or reviewing only the actual lines of source code changed in the program are not sufficient to test the controls related to authorized modifications, as they do not cover the entire change management process. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 4: Information Systems Operations, Maintenance and Service Management, Section 4.2: Change Management

 Internet Protocol (IP) address restrictions are used in a firewall to protect the entity’s internal resources by allowing or denying access to specific IP addresses or ranges of IP addresses based on predefined rules. Remote access servers, Secure Sockets Layers (SSLs), and failover services are not directly related to firewall protection, but rather to other aspects of network security, such as authentication, encryption, and availability. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 5: Protection of Information Assets, Section 5.2: Network Security Devices and Technologies

KPIs are not clearly defined is the most concerning finding for an IS auditor, because it implies that the third-party vendor does not have a clear understanding of what constitutes success or failure in their performance. This can lead to inaccurate or misleading reporting, poor decision making, and lack of accountability. KPIs should be SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) and aligned with the business objectives and expectations of the stakeholders12. References: 1: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 5, Section 5.3.2 2: CISA Online Review Course, Module 5, Lesson 3

The greatest concern for an IS auditor when auditing an organization’s IT strategy development process is that information security was not included as a key objective in the IT strategic plan. Information security is a vital component of IT strategy, as it ensures the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information assets, and supports the business objectives and regulatory compliance. The other options are not as significant as the lack of information security in the IT strategic plan. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 1, Section 1.31

 The auditor’s best recommendation prior to go-live is to conduct a mock conversion test. This is because a mock conversion test can help to verify the accuracy, completeness, and validity of the data conversion process. A mock conversion test can also help to identify and resolve any issues or errors before the actual conversion takes place. A mock conversion test can also provide assurance that the converted data meets the business requirements and expectations. References:

CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 3, Section 3.3.21

CISA Online Review Course, Domain 2, Module 2, Lesson 22

An IT framework for alignment between IT and business objectives is a set of principles, guidelines, and practices that help an organization to ensure that its IT investments support its strategic goals, deliver value, manage risks, and optimize resources. One of the benefits of implementing such a framework is that it enables an effective IT portfolio management, which is the process of selecting, prioritizing, monitoring, and evaluating the IT projects and services that comprise the IT portfolio. An IT portfolio is a collection of IT assets, such as applications, infrastructure, data, and capabilities, that are aligned with the business needs and objectives. An IT portfolio management helps an organization to achieve the following outcomes:

Align the IT portfolio with the business strategy and vision

Balance the IT portfolio among different types of investments, such as innovation, growth, maintenance, and compliance

Optimize the IT portfolio performance, value, and risk

Enhance the IT portfolio decision-making and governance

Improve the IT portfolio communication and transparency

Therefore, an inadequate IT portfolio management is a major concern that can be addressed by implementing an IT framework for alignment between IT and business objectives. An inadequate IT portfolio management can result in the following issues:

Misalignment of the IT portfolio with the business needs and expectations

Imbalance of the IT portfolio among competing demands and priorities

Suboptimal use of the IT resources and capabilities

Lack of visibility and accountability of the IT portfolio outcomes and impacts

Poor communication and collaboration among the IT portfolio stakeholders

The other possible options are:

Inaccurate business impact analysis (BIA): A BIA is a process of identifying and assessing the potential effects of a disruption or disaster on the critical business functions and processes. A BIA helps an organization to determine the recovery priorities, objectives, and strategies for its business continuity plan. A BIA is not directly related to an IT framework for alignment between IT and business objectives, although it may use some inputs from the IT portfolio management. Therefore, an inaccurate BIA is not a concern that can be effectively addressed by implementing an IT framework for alignment between IT and business objectives.

Inadequate IT change management practices: IT change management is a process of controlling and managing the changes to the IT environment, such as hardware, software, configuration, or documentation. IT change management helps an organization to minimize the risks and disruptions caused by the changes, ensure the quality and consistency of the changes, and align the changes with the business requirements. IT change management is not directly related to an IT framework for alignment between IT and business objectives, although it may support some aspects of the IT portfolio management. Therefore, inadequate IT change management practices are not a concern that can be effectively addressed by implementing an IT framework for alignment between IT and business objectives.

Lack of a benchmark analysis: A benchmark analysis is a process of comparing an organization’s performance, processes, or practices with those of other organizations or industry standards. A benchmark analysis helps an organization to identify its strengths and weaknesses, set realistic goals and targets, and implement best practices for improvement. A benchmark analysis is not directly related to an IT framework for alignment between IT and business objectives, although it may provide some insights for the IT portfolio management. Therefore, lack of a benchmark analysis is not a concern that can be effectively addressed by implementing an IT framework for alignment between IT and business objectives. References: 1: What is Portfolio Management? | Smartsheet 2: What Is Portfolio Management? - Definition from Techopedia 3: What Is Project Portfolio Management (PPM)? | ProjectManager.com 4: What Is Business Impact Analysis? | Smartsheet 5: What Is Change Management? - Definition from Techopedia 6: Benchmarking - Wikipedia

The overall effectiveness of an organization’s disaster recovery planning process depends on how well the plan reflects the current and future needs and risks of the organization, and how well the plan is tested, communicated, and maintained. Among the four options given, the most important one for the IS auditor to verify is that management reviews and updates the plan annually or as changes occur.

A disaster recovery plan is not a static document that can be created once and forgotten. It is a dynamic and evolving process that requires regular review and update to ensure that it remains relevant, accurate, and effective. A disaster recovery plan should be reviewed and updated at least annually, or whenever there are significant changes in the organization’s structure, operations, environment, or regulations. These changes could affect the business impact analysis, risk assessment, recovery objectives, recovery strategies, roles and responsibilities, or resources of the disaster recovery plan. If the plan is not updated to reflect these changes, it could become obsolete, incomplete, or inconsistent, and fail to meet the organization’s recovery needs or expectations.

The other three options are not as important as reviewing and updating the plan, although they may also contribute to the effectiveness of the disaster recovery planning process. Contracting with a third party for warm site services is a possible recovery strategy that involves using a partially equipped facility that can be quickly activated in case of a disaster. However, this strategy may not be suitable or sufficient for every organization or scenario, and it does not guarantee the success of the disaster recovery plan. Scheduling an annual tabletop exercise is a good practice that involves simulating a disaster scenario and testing the plan in a hypothetical setting. However, this exercise may not be enough to evaluate the feasibility or readiness of the plan, and it should be complemented by other types of tests, such as walkthroughs, drills, or full-scale exercises. Documenting and distributing a copy of the plan to all personnel is an essential step that ensures that everyone involved in or affected by the plan is aware of their roles and responsibilities, and has access to the relevant information and instructions. However, this step alone does not ensure that the plan is understood or followed by all personnel, and it should be accompanied by proper training, education, and awareness programs.

Therefore, reviewing and updating the plan annually or as changes occur is the best answer.

The best solution for ensuring secure remote access to corporate resources is to use a virtual private network (VPN), as this creates an encrypted tunnel between the user’s device and the corporate network, preventing unauthorized interception or modification of data in transit. Additional firewall rules may help to restrict access to certain ports or protocols, but they do not provide encryption or authentication. Multi-factor authentication may help to verify the identity of the user, but it does not protect the data in transit. Virtual desktop may help to provide a consistent user interface and access to applications, but it does not ensure the security of the communication channel. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 5: Protection of Information Assets, Section 5.2: Network Security Devices and Technologies

 The planning phase is the stage of the internal audit process where contact is established with the individuals responsible for the business processes in scope for review. The planning phase involves defining the objectives, scope, and criteria of the audit, as well as identifying the key risks and controls related to the audited area. The planning phase also involves communicating with the auditee to obtain relevant information, documents, and data, as well as to schedule interviews, walkthroughs, and meetings. The planning phase aims to ensure that the audit team has a clear understanding of the audited area and its context, and that the audit plan is aligned with the expectations and needs of the auditee and other stakeholders.

The execution phase is the stage of the internal audit process where the audit team performs the audit procedures according to the audit plan. The execution phase involves testing the design and operating effectiveness of the controls, collecting and analyzing evidence, documenting the audit work and results, and identifying any issues or findings. The execution phase aims to provide sufficient and appropriate evidence to support the audit conclusions and recommendations.

The follow-up phase is the stage of the internal audit process where the audit team monitors and verifies the implementation of the corrective actions agreed upon by the auditee in response to the audit findings. The follow-up phase involves reviewing the evidence provided by the auditee, conducting additional tests or interviews if necessary, and evaluating whether the corrective actions have adequately addressed the root causes of the findings. The follow-up phase aims to ensure that the auditee has taken timely and effective actions to improve its processes and controls.

The selection phase is not a standard stage of the internal audit process, but it may refer to the process of selecting which areas or functions to audit based on a risk assessment or an annual audit plan. The selection phase involves evaluating the inherent and residual risks of each potential auditable area, considering the impact, likelihood, and frequency of those risks, as well as other factors such as regulatory requirements, stakeholder expectations, previous audit results, and available resources. The selection phase aims to prioritize and allocate the audit resources to those areas that present the highest risks or opportunities for improvement.

Therefore, option A is the correct answer.

References:

Stages and phases of internal audit - piranirisk.com

Step-by-Step Internal Audit Checklist | AuditBoard

Audit Process | The Office of Internal Audit - University of Oregon

The correct answer is D. Maintenance procedures should be considered when examining fire suppression systems as part of a data center environmental controls review. Fire suppression systems are critical for protecting the data center equipment and personnel from fire hazards. Therefore, they should be regularly maintained and tested to ensure their proper functioning and compliance with safety standards. Maintenance procedures should include inspection, cleaning, replacement, and repair of the fire suppression system components, as well as documentation of the maintenance activities and results. Installation manuals, onsite replacement availability, and insurance coverage are not directly related to the fire suppression system performance and effectiveness, and therefore are not relevant for the audit review. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version)1, page 403.

Full disk encryption (FDE) is a means of protecting information by encrypting all of the data on a disk, including temporary files, programs, and system files1. FDE is best suited for addressing the risk scenario of physical theft of media on which information is stored, as it prevents unauthorized access to the data even if the device is lost or stolen2. FDE does not prevent data leakage as a result of employees leaving to work for competitors, as they may still have access to the data while using the device or copy the data to another device before leaving. FDE does not prevent noncompliance fines related to storage of regulated information, as it does not ensure that the data is stored in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations. FDE does not prevent unauthorized logical access to information through an application interface, as it does not control the access rights and permissions of users and applications. *References: According to the ISACA IT Audit and Assurance Standards, Guidelines and Tools and Techniques for IS Audit and Assurance Professionals, section 2402 Planning, “The IS audit and assurance professional should identify and assess risk relevant to the area under review.” 3 One of the risk factors to consider is “the sensitivity of information processed, stored or transmitted by the system” 3. FDE is one of the possible controls to mitigate the risk of unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information due to physical theft of media.

A digital signature is the most appropriate control to ensure integrity of online orders because it provides a way to verify the authenticity and integrity of the data sent by the sender. A digital signature is created by applying a cryptographic algorithm to the data and attaching the result to the data. The receiver can then use the sender’s public key to verify that the data has not been altered or tampered with during transmission. A digital signature also provides non-repudiation, which means that the sender cannot deny sending the data.

Data Encryption Standard (DES) is a symmetric encryption algorithm that can provide confidentiality of online orders, but not integrity. DES uses the same key to encrypt and decrypt the data, which means that anyone who has the key can modify the data without detection.

Public key encryption is an asymmetric encryption algorithm that can also provide confidentiality of online orders, but not integrity. Public key encryption uses a pair of keys: a public key and a private key. The sender encrypts the data with the receiver’s public key, and the receiver decrypts it with their own private key. However, public key encryption does not prevent anyone from modifying the encrypted data.

Multi-factor authentication is a control that can provide authentication and authorization of online orders, but not integrity. Multi-factor authentication requires the user to provide two or more pieces of evidence to prove their identity, such as a password, a token, or a biometric factor. Multi-factor authentication can prevent unauthorized access to online orders, but it does not protect the data from being modified after being sent.

References:

ISACA, CISA Review Manual, 27th Edition, 2019, p. 281 1

ISACA, CISA Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Database - 12 Month Subscription 2

The recovery time objective (RTO) has a longer duration than documented in the disaster recovery plan (DRP) should be of greatest concern to the auditor when reviewing a bank’s SLA with a third-party provider that hosts the bank’s secondary data center. This is because the RTO is the maximum acceptable time for restoring a system or an application after a disaster or a disruption. A longer RTO than the DRP means that the bank may not be able to resume its critical business operations within the expected time frame, which may result in significant financial losses, reputational damage, customer dissatisfaction, or regulatory non-compliance12.

The SLA has not been reviewed in more than a year is not the greatest concern, although it is a good practice to review and update the SLA periodically to ensure that it reflects the current business needs and expectations, as well as any changes in the service provider’s capabilities or performance. However, a lack of review does not necessarily imply a lack of compliance or quality of service, as long as the SLA is still valid and enforceable34.

Backup data is hosted online only is not the greatest concern, although it may pose some security risks if the backup data is not encrypted or protected by adequate access controls. Online backup data means that the backup data is stored on a remote server that can be accessed via the Internet, which may offer some advantages such as faster recovery, lower cost, and higher availability than offline backup data that is stored on physical media such as tapes or disks. However, online backup data also requires reliable network connectivity and bandwidth, as well as proper security measures to prevent unauthorized access or tampering56.

The recovery point objective (RPO) has a shorter duration than documented in the DRP is not the greatest concern, although it may indicate some inconsistency or misalignment between the SLA and the DRP. The RPO is the maximum acceptable amount of data loss measured in time from a disaster or a disruption. A shorter RPO than the DRP means that the bank may lose less data than expected, which may be beneficial for its business continuity and recovery. However, a shorter RPO may also imply more frequent backups, which may increase the cost and complexity of the backup process

The type of IS audit that would provide the greatest level of assurance that the department’s objectives have been met after implementing new technologies and processes is an integrated audit. An integrated audit is an audit that combines financial, operational, compliance, and IT auditing aspects to provide a holistic view of the organization’s performance and risks. An integrated audit can evaluate whether the new technologies and processes are aligned with the organization’s goals, strategies, policies, and controls, and whether they are delivering value, efficiency, effectiveness, and reliability. The other types of IS audits (A, C and D) would not provide the same level of assurance, as they would only focus on specific aspects of the organization’s activities, such as performance, cyber security, or financial reporting, which may not capture the full impact of the new technologies and processes. References: CISA Certification | Certified Information Systems Auditor | ISACA, CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 1: The Process of Auditing Information Systems, Section 1.2: Types of IS Audit Engagements

 The primary purpose of obtaining a baseline image during an operating system audit is to identify atypical running processes. A baseline image is a snapshot of the normal state and configuration of an operating system, including the processes that are expected to run on it. By comparing the current state of the operating system with the baseline image, an IS auditor can detect any deviations or anomalies that may indicate unauthorized or malicious activity, such as malware infection, privilege escalation, or data exfiltration. A baseline image can also help an IS auditor to assess the performance and efficiency of the operating system, as well as its compliance with security standards and policies.

Verifying antivirus definitions (option B) is not the primary purpose of obtaining a baseline image, although it may be a part of the baseline configuration. Antivirus definitions are the files that contain the signatures and rules for detecting and removing malware. An IS auditor may verify that the antivirus definitions are up to date and consistent across the operating system, but this does not require obtaining a baseline image.

Identifying local administrator account access (option C) is not the primary purpose of obtaining a baseline image, although it may be a part of the baseline configuration. Local administrator accounts are user accounts that have full control over the operating system and its resources. An IS auditor may identify and review the local administrator accounts to ensure that they are properly secured and authorized, but this does not require obtaining a baseline image.

Verifying the integrity of operating system backups (option D) is not the primary purpose of obtaining a baseline image, although it may be a part of the backup process. Operating system backups are copies of the operating system data and settings that can be used to restore the system in case of failure or disaster. An IS auditor may verify that the operating system backups are complete, accurate, and accessible, but this does not require obtaining a baseline image.

References: : Linux security and system hardening checklist : CISA Certification | Certified Information Systems Auditor | ISACA : CISA Certified Information Systems Auditor Study Guide, 4th Edition : CISA - Certified Information Systems Auditor Study Guide [Book]

The greatest concern for an IS auditor reviewing an online security awareness program is that metrics have not been established to assess training results. Without metrics, it is difficult to measure the effectiveness of the program and identify areas for improvement. The other findings are also issues that need to be addressed, but they are not as significant as the lack of metrics. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 5, Section 5.3.11

The best course of action for an IS auditor when an auditee is unable to close all audit recommendations by the time of the follow-up audit is to evaluate the residual risk due to open issues. Residual risk is the risk that remains after the implementation of controls or mitigating actions. Evaluating the residual risk due to open issues can help the IS auditor assess the impact and likelihood of the potential threats and vulnerabilities that have not been addressed by the auditee, as well as the adequacy and effectiveness of the existing controls or mitigating actions. Evaluating the residual risk due to open issues can also help the IS auditor prioritize and communicate the open issues to the auditee and other stakeholders, such as senior management or audit committee, and recommend appropriate actions or escalation procedures.

Ensuring the open issues are retained in the audit results is a course of action for an IS auditor when an auditee is unable to close all audit recommendations by the time of the follow-up audit, but it is not the best one. Ensuring the open issues are retained in the audit results can help the IS auditor document and report the status and progress of the audit recommendations, as well as provide a basis for future follow-up audits. However, ensuring the open issues are retained in the audit results does not provide an analysis or evaluation of the residual risk due to open issues, which is more important for informing decision-making and action-taking.

Terminating the follow-up because open issues are not resolved is not a course of action for an IS auditor when an auditee is unable to close all audit recommendations by the time of the follow-up audit, but rather a consequence or outcome of it. Terminating the follow-up because open issues are not resolved may indicate that the auditee has failed to comply with the agreed-upon actions or deadlines, or that the IS auditor has encountered significant obstacles or resistance from the auditee. Terminating the follow-up because open issues are not resolved may also trigger further actions or sanctions from the IS auditor or other authorities, such as issuing a qualified or adverse opinion, withholding certification, or imposing penalties.

Recommending compensating controls for open issues is not a course of action for an IS auditor when an auditee is unable to close all audit recommendations by the time of the follow-up audit, but rather a possible outcome or result of it. Compensating controls are alternative or additional controls that are implemented to reduce or eliminate the risk associated with a weakness or deficiency in another control. Recommending compensating controls for open issues may be appropriate when the auditee is unable to implement the original audit recommendations due to technical, operational, financial, or other constraints, and when the compensating controls can provide a similar or equivalent level of assurance. However, recommending compensating controls for open issues requires a prior evaluation of the residual risk due to open issues, which is more important for determining whether compensating controls are necessary and feasible.

References:

Follow-up Audits - Canadian Audit and Accountability Foundation 1

Conducting The Audit Follow-Up: When To Verify - The Auditor 2

Internal Audit Follow Ups: Are They Really Worth The Effort

 The best phase of the software development life cycle to initiate the discussion of application controls is the application design phase when process functionalities are finalized. Application controls are the policies, procedures, and techniques that ensure the completeness, accuracy, validity, and authorization of data input, processing, output, and storage in an application. Application controls help prevent, detect, or correct errors and fraud in software applications. Examples of application controls include input validation, edit checks, reconciliation, encryption, access control, audit trails, etc.

The application design phase is when the software requirements are translated into a logical and physical design that specifies how the application will look and work. This phase is the best time to discuss application controls because it allows the developers to incorporate them into the design specifications and ensure that they are aligned with the business objectives and user needs. By discussing application controls early in the design phase, the developers can also avoid costly rework or changes later in the development process.

The other phases are not as optimal as the application design phase to initiate the discussion of application controls. A. Business case development phase when stakeholders are identified. The business case development phase is when the feasibility, scope, objectives, benefits, risks, and costs of a software project are defined and evaluated. This phase is important for obtaining stakeholder approval and support for the project, but it is too early to discuss application controls in detail because the software requirements and functionalities are not yet clear or finalized. B. User acceptance testing (UAT) phase when test scenarios are designed. The user acceptance testing phase is when the software is tested by the end-users or stakeholders to verify that it meets their expectations and requirements. This phase is too late to discuss application controls because it is near the end of the development process and any changes or additions to the application controls would require retesting and revalidation of the software. C. Application coding phase when algorithms are developed to solve business problems. The application coding phase is when the software design is translated into executable code using programming languages and tools. This phase is not ideal to discuss application controls because it is after the design phase and any changes or additions to the application controls would require redesigning and recoding of the software.

References:

ISACA, CISA Review Manual, 27th Edition, 2019, p. 2471

ISACA, CISA Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Database - 12 Month Subscription2

What Is Application Control? | McAfee3

What Is Application Lifecycle Management? | Red Hat4

A digital signature is a specific type of e-signature that is backed by a digital certificate. A digital certificate is a document that contains the public key of a signer and is issued by a trusted third party called a certificate authority (CA). A digital signature provides proof of the identity of the signer and the integrity of the signed document.

A characteristic of a digital signature is that it is unique to the message. This means that a digital signature cannot be copied from one document to another without being detected as invalid. A digital signature is created by applying a mathematical function called a hashing algorithm to the document. A hashing algorithm produces a fixed-length output called a hash or digest from any input data. The hash is unique to the input data; any change in the input data will result in a different hash.

The signer then encrypts the hash with their private key (a secret key that only they know) to create the digital signature. The encrypted hash is attached to the document as the digital signature. The recipient of the document can verify the digital signature by decrypting it with the signer’s public key (a key that is publicly available and matches the private key) to obtain the hash. The recipient then applies the same hashing algorithm to the document to generate another hash. The recipient then compares the two hashes; if they match, it means that the document has not been altered and that the signer is authentic.

Therefore, a digital signature is unique to the message because it is derived from the hash of the message, which is unique to the message.

References:

7: Free Online Signature Generator (Type or Draw) | Signaturely

8: What are digital signatures and certificates? | Acrobat Sign - Adobe

9: eSign PDF with Electronic Signature Free Online - Smallpdf

This means that the IT investments are aligned with the strategic goals and priorities of the organization, and that they deliver value and benefits to the business. Mapping IT investments to specific business objectives can help ensure that the IT investments are relevant, justified, and measurable, and that they support the organization’s mission and vision.

IT investments are implemented and monitored following a system development life cycle (SDLC) is an indication of effective IT project management, but not necessarily of effective IT investment management. The SDLC is a framework that guides the development and implementation of IT systems and applications, but it does not address the alignment, justification, or measurement of the IT investments.

Key performance indicators (KPIs) are defined for each business requiring IT investment is an indication of effective IT performance management, but not necessarily of effective IT investment management. KPIs are metrics that measure the outcomes and results of IT activities and processes, but they do not address the alignment, justification, or value of the IT investments.

The IT investment budget is significantly below industry benchmarks is not an indication of effective IT investment management, but rather of low IT spending. The IT investment budget should be based on the organization’s needs and capabilities, and not on external comparisons. A low IT investment budget may indicate that the organization is underinvesting in IT, which could limit its potential for growth and innovation.

 The most useful analytical method when trying to identify groups with similar behavior or characteristics in a large population is classification. Classification is a technique that assigns data points to predefined categories or classes based on their features or attributes. Classification can help to discover patterns, trends, and relationships among the data and reveal the similarities or differences among the groups. Classification can also help to support decision making, prediction, or recommendation based on the data analysis. References:

CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 3, Section 3.4.21

CISA Online Review Course, Domain 2, Module 3, Lesson 12

 A configuration management system is a process that establishes and maintains the consistency of a product’s attributes throughout its life cycle. It helps to identify and control the functional and physical characteristics of a product, and to record and report any changes to those characteristics. A configuration management system also supports the audit of the product to verify its conformance to requirements.

One of the key activities of a configuration management system is to define baselines for software. A baseline is a fixed reference point that serves as a basis for comparison and measurement. A baseline can be established for any configuration item, such as a requirement, a design document, a test plan, or a software component. A baseline helps to ensure that the software product meets its intended purpose and quality standards, and that any changes to the software are controlled and documented.

A configuration management system also supports other activities, such as tracking software updates, supporting the release procedure, and standardizing change approval, but these are not its primary purpose. Therefore, the other options are incorrect.

References: : What is configuration management - Red Hat : Configuration Management | Definition, Importance & Benefits - ServerWatch

The data retention policy for a global organization with regional offices in multiple countries should align with local laws and regulations, as they may vary significantly from one country to another and may impose different requirements and penalties for non-compliance. The policy should also consider the corporate policies and practices, the global best practices, and the business goals and objectives, but these are secondary to the legal compliance. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 5: Protection of Information Assets, Section 5.3: Data Classification and Protection

 Application containers are a form of operating system virtualization that share the same kernel as the host operating system. This means that any vulnerability or compromise in the kernel can affect all the containers running on the same host, as well as the host itself. Additionally, containers may have privileged access to the kernel resources and functions, which can pose a risk of unauthorized or malicious actions by the container processes. Therefore, securing the kernel is a critical aspect of application container security.

Shared registries (option A) are not an inherent risk in the application container infrastructure, but they are a potential risk that depends on how they are configured and managed. Shared registries are repositories that store and distribute container images. They can be public or private, and they can have different levels of security and access controls. Shared registries can pose a risk of exposing sensitive data, distributing malicious or vulnerable images, or allowing unauthorized access to images. However, these risks can be mitigated by using secure connections, authentication and authorization mechanisms, image signing and scanning, and encryption.

Host operating system (option B) is not an inherent risk in the application container infrastructure, but it is a potential risk that depends on how it is configured and maintained. Host operating system is the underlying platform that runs the application containers and provides them with the necessary resources and services. Host operating system can pose a risk of exposing vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, or malware that can affect the containers or the host itself. However, these risks can be mitigated by using minimal and hardened operating systems, applying patches and updates, enforcing security policies and controls, and isolating and monitoring the host.

Shared data (option C) is not an inherent risk in the application container infrastructure, but it is a potential risk that depends on how it is stored and accessed. Shared data is the information that is used or generated by the application containers and that may be shared among them or with external entities. Shared data can pose a risk of leaking confidential or sensitive data, corrupting or losing data integrity, or violating data privacy or compliance requirements. However, these risks can be mitigated by using secure storage solutions, encryption and decryption mechanisms, access control and auditing policies, and backup and recovery procedures.

Therefore, option D is the correct answer.

References:

Application Container Security Guide | NIST

CSA for a Secure Application Container Architecture

Application Container Security: Risks and Countermeasures

A backlog consumption report is a report that shows the amount of work that has been completed and the amount of work that remains to be done in a project. It is a useful tool for measuring the progress and performance of a web-based customer service application development project, as it can indicate whether the project is on track, ahead or behind schedule, and how much effort is required to finish the project. A backlog consumption report can also help identify any issues or risks that may affect the project delivery. Critical path analysis reports, developer status reports and change management logs are also helpful for evaluating a project, but they are not as helpful as a backlog consumption report, as they do not provide a clear picture of the overall project status and completion rate. References:

: [Backlog Consumption Report Definition]

: Backlog Consumption Report | ISACA

Encryption is the process of transforming information into an unreadable form using a secret key, so that only authorized parties can access it. Encryption would protect the confidentiality of information sent in email messages, as it would prevent unauthorized parties from intercepting and reading the messages. Secure Hash Algorithm 1 (SHA-1) is a cryptographic hash function that produces a fixed-length output from an input. SHA-1 does not encrypt information, but rather verifies its integrity by detecting any changes or modifications. Digital signatures are electronic signatures that use encryption and hash functions to authenticate the identity of the sender and the integrity of the message. Digital signatures do not protect the confidentiality of information, but rather ensure its authenticity and non-repudiation. Digital certificates are electronic documents that contain the public key and identity information of an entity, such as a person, organization or device. Digital certificates are issued by trusted third parties called certificate authorities (CAs). Digital certificates do not protect the confidentiality of information, but rather enable secure communication and encryption by verifying the identity and public key of an entity. References:

: [Encryption Definition]

: [Secure Hash Algorithm 1 (SHA-1) Definition]

: [Digital Signature Definition]

: [Digital Certificate Definition]

 A checksum is classified as a detective control. A checksum is a mathematical value that is calculated from a data set and used to verify the integrity of the data. A checksum can detect if the data has been altered or corrupted during transmission or storage. A checksum does not prevent or correct the data corruption, but it alerts the user or system of the problem. Therefore, it is a detective control. A preventive control is a control that prevents an error or incident from occurring. A corrective control is a control that restores normal operations after an error or incident has occurred. An administrative control is a control that involves policies, procedures, standards, guidelines, or organizational structures. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version)1, page 439.

The IS auditor’s best course of action is to evaluate the implemented control to ensure it mitigates the risk to an acceptable level. This is because the objective of a follow-up audit is to verify that corrective actions have been accomplished as scheduled and that they are effective in preventing or minimizing future recurrence1. If senior management has implemented a different remediation action plan than what was previously agreed upon, the IS auditor should assess whether the alternative control is adequate and appropriate for the situation. Requesting justification from management for not implementing the recommended control (option D) may be a secondary step, but it is not the best course of action. Reporting the deviation by the control owner in the audit report (option A) may be premature and unnecessary if the implemented control is satisfactory. Canceling the follow-up audit and rescheduling for the next audit period (option C) is not advisable, as it would delay the verification of the effectiveness of the implemented control and potentially expose the organization to further risks. References: 1: Follow-up Audits - Canadian Audit and Accountability Foundation

Performing user acceptance testing (UAT) is the most important activity before implementing a new system, as it ensures that the system meets the user requirements and expectations, and that it is free of major defects. Documenting last-minute enhancements, performing a pre-implementation audit, and ensuring that code has been reviewed are also important activities, but they are not as critical as UAT. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 4, Section 4.2.2

 The first step for the security incident response team after an IS security attack is reported is to perform a damage assessment. This involves identifying the scope, impact and root cause of the incident, as well as collecting and preserving evidence for further analysis and investigation. Reporting results to management, documenting lessons learned and prioritizing resources for corrective action are important steps, but they should be done after the damage assessment is completed. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 6, Section 6.31

 This is because privacy regulations are laws or rules that protect the personal information of individuals from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, or transfer by third parties. Payroll audit documentation may contain sensitive and confidential data, such as employee names, salaries, benefits, taxes, deductions, and bank accounts. If the audit management application is hosted by a third party in a different country, the organization may need to comply with the privacy regulations of both its own country and the host country, as well as any international or regional agreements or frameworks that apply. Privacy regulations may impose various requirements and obligations on the organization, such as obtaining consent from the data subjects, implementing appropriate security measures, notifying data breaches, and ensuring data quality and accuracy. Privacy regulations may also grant various rights to the data subjects, such as accessing, correcting, deleting, or transferring their data. Failing to comply with privacy regulations may expose the organization to significant risks and consequences, such as legal actions, fines, sanctions, reputational damage, or loss of trust.

Some examples of privacy regulations affecting the organization are:

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which is a comprehensive and strict privacy regulation that applies to any organization that processes personal data of individuals in the European Union (EU) or offers goods or services to them, regardless of where the organization or the data is located1.

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), which is a broad and influential privacy regulation that applies to any organization that collects personal information of California residents and meets certain thresholds of revenue, data volume, or data sharing2.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which is a sector-specific privacy regulation that applies to any organization that handles protected health information (PHI) of individuals in the United States, such as health care providers, health plans, or health care clearinghouses3.

Therefore, before using an audit management application hosted by a third party in a different country, the internal audit team should conduct a thorough assessment of the privacy regulations affecting the organization and ensure that they have adequate policies, procedures, and controls in place to comply with them.

 The best option to support the organization’s objectives of protecting data confidentiality while transporting data is encryption. Encryption is a process of transforming data into an unreadable form using a secret key or algorithm, so that only authorized parties can access the original data. Encryption protects the confidentiality of data in transit by preventing unauthorized interception, modification, or disclosure of the data. Encryption can also help comply with data privacy and security regulations, such as the GDPR and HIPAA.

The other options are not as effective as encryption in protecting data confidentiality while transporting data. Cryptographic hashes are mathematical functions that generate a fixed-length output from an input, but they do not encrypt the data. Hashes are used to verify the integrity and authenticity of data, but they do not prevent unauthorized access to the data. Virtual local area network (VLAN) is a logical grouping of network devices that share the same broadcast domain, but they do not encrypt the data. VLANs can improve network performance and security by isolating traffic, but they do not protect the data from being intercepted or modified by external attackers. Dedicated lines are physical connections that provide exclusive access to a network or service, but they do not encrypt the data. Dedicated lines can offer higher bandwidth and reliability, but they do not guarantee the confidentiality of the data from being compromised by physical tampering or eavesdropping.

References:

ISACA, CISA Review Manual, 27th Edition, 2019, p. 2471

ISACA, CISA Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Database - 12 Month Subscription2

Data Security and Confidentiality Guidelines - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention3

Information Security | Confidentiality - GeeksforGeeks4

The primary purpose of performing a parallel run of a new system is to validate the new system against its predecessor. A parallel run is a strategy for system changeover where a new system slowly assumes the roles of the older system while both systems operate simultaneously. This allows for comparison of the results and outputs of both systems to ensure that the new system is working correctly and reliably. A parallel run can also help identify and resolve any errors, discrepancies, or inconsistencies in the new system before the old system is discontinued.

The other options are not the primary purpose of performing a parallel run of a new system. A. To train the end users and supporting staff on the new system. Training is an important part of system implementation, but it is not the main reason for doing a parallel run. Training can be done before, during, or after the parallel run, depending on the needs and preferences of the organization. B. To verify the new system provides required business functionality. Verifying the business functionality of the new system is part of user acceptance testing (UAT), which is a formal and structured process of testing whether the new system meets the specifications and expectations of the users and stakeholders. UAT is usually done before the parallel run, as a prerequisite for system changeover. C. To reduce the need for additional testing. Reducing the need for additional testing is not the primary purpose of performing a parallel run, but rather a possible benefit or outcome of doing so. A parallel run can help ensure that the new system is thoroughly tested and validated in a real-world environment, which may reduce the likelihood of encountering major issues or defects later on. However, additional testing may still be needed after the parallel run, depending on the feedback and evaluation of the users and stakeholders.

References:

ISACA, CISA Review Manual, 27th Edition, 2019, p. 2471

IS

 The auditor should be most concerned about the security policy documents being available on a public domain website. This is because this exposes the organization’s security posture and strategy to potential attackers, who can exploit the information to launch targeted attacks or bypass the security controls. The security policy documents should be classified as confidential and protected from unauthorized access or disclosure. The other options are less severe than exposing the security policy documents to the public, although they may also indicate some gaps or weaknesses in the security policy development, implementation, or maintenance process. References:

CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 5, Section 5.31

CISA Online Review Course, Domain 3, Module 1, Lesson 12

 The answer C is correct because preventive maintenance is outsourced to multiple vendors without requiring nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) would be of greatest concern to an IS auditor reviewing on-site preventive maintenance for an organization’s business-critical server hardware. This is because outsourcing preventive maintenance to multiple vendors without NDAs exposes the organization to the risk of unauthorized access, disclosure, or modification of sensitive data and information stored on the servers. NDAs are legal contracts that bind the vendors to protect the confidentiality and security of the data and information they access or handle during the preventive maintenance. Without NDAs, the vendors may not have any obligation or incentive to safeguard the data and information, and they may misuse, leak, or compromise them for malicious or commercial purposes. This could result in financial losses, reputational damage, legal liabilities, or regulatory penalties for the organization.

The other options are not as concerning as option C. Preventive maintenance costs exceed the business allocated budget (option A) is a financial issue that may affect the profitability or efficiency of the organization, but it does not directly impact the security or availability of the server hardware. Preventive maintenance has not been approved by the information system (option B) is a procedural issue that may indicate a lack of coordination or communication between the IT department and the business units, but it does not necessarily affect the quality or effectiveness of the preventive maintenance. The preventive maintenance schedule is based on mean time between failures (MTBF) parameters (option D) is a technical issue that may influence the frequency or timing of the preventive maintenance, but it does not imply any risk or deficiency in the preventive maintenance itself.

References:

What is a Maintenance Audit?

How to audit your preventative maintenance schedule

5 Step Maintenance Management Program Audit

How do you get effective Preventive Maintenance really?

What is a Planned Preventative Maintenance Audit?

The first step when conducting an IT risk assessment is to identify assets to be protected, which include hardware, software, data, processes, people, and facilities that support the business objectives and operations of an organization. Identifying assets to be protected helps to establish the scope and boundaries of the risk assessment, as well as the value and criticality of each asset. Identifying potential threats, assessing vulnerabilities, and evaluating controls in place are subsequent steps in the risk assessment process that depend on the identification of assets to be protected. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 2: Governance & Management of IT, Section 2.3: IT Risk Management

 It is acceptable for an IS auditor to rely on a third-party provider’s external audit report on service level management when the scope and methodology meet audit requirements. This means that the external audit report covers the same objectives, criteria, standards and procedures that the IS auditor would use to assess the service level management. This way, the IS auditor can avoid duplication of work and reduce audit costs and efforts. The service provider’s certification and accreditation, the report’s confirmation of service levels and the report’s release date are not sufficient to justify reliance on the external audit report. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version) , Chapter 2, Section 2.3.3.

 The advantage of using agile software development methodology over the waterfall methodology is that it allows for quicker deliverables. Agile software development is an iterative and incremental approach that emphasizes customer feedback, collaboration, and adaptation. Agile software development delivers working software in short cycles, called sprints, that typically last from two to four weeks. This enables the development team to respond to changing requirements, deliver value faster, and improve quality. Waterfall software development is a linear and sequential approach that follows a predefined set of phases, such as planning, analysis, design, implementation, testing, and maintenance. Waterfall software development requires a clear and stable definition of the project scope, deliverables, and expectations before starting the development process. Waterfall software development can be slow, rigid, and costly, especially if changes occur during the later stages of the project. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 3: Information Systems Acquisition, Development & Implementation, Section 3.1: Project Management Practices

The best approach for determining the overall IT risk appetite of an organization when business units use different methods for managing IT risks is to prioritize the organization’s IT risk scenarios. IT risk appetite is the amount and type of IT risk that an organization is willing to accept in pursuit of its objectives. IT risk scenarios are hypothetical situations that describe the potential impact of IT risk events on the organization’s objectives, processes, and resources. By prioritizing the organization’s IT risk scenarios, the IS auditor can identify the most significant IT risks that affect the organization as a whole, and align them with the organization’s strategic goals, values, and culture. Prioritizing the organization’s IT risk scenarios can also help to communicate and monitor the IT risk appetite across the organization, and facilitate consistent and informed decision making. The other approaches (A, B and D) are not effective for determining the overall IT risk appetite of an organization, as they do not consider the impact and likelihood of IT risks on the organization’s objectives, nor do they account for the diversity and complexity of IT risks across different business units. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 2: Governance and Management of Information Technology, Section 2.3: Information Technology Risk Management

A recovery point objective (RPO) is the maximum acceptable amount of data loss after an unplanned data-loss incident, expressed as an amount of time. This is generally thought of as the point in time before the event at which data can be successfully recovered – that is, the time elapsed since the most recent reliable backup1. RPOs are important to consider when reviewing an organization’s defined data backup and restoration procedures, because they determine how frequently the organization needs to perform backups, and how much data it can afford to lose in case of a disaster. RPOs are usually defined based on the business impact and criticality of the data, as well as the compliance and regulatory requirements. For example, a financial institution may have a very low RPO (such as a few minutes or seconds) for its transactional data, while a research institute may have a higher RPO (such as a few hours or days) for its experimental data.

The other possible options are:

A. Business continuity plan (BCP): A BCP is a document that outlines how an organization will continue to operate or resume its critical functions and processes in the event of a disruption or disaster. A BCP includes various elements, such as risk assessment, business impact analysis, recovery strategies, roles and responsibilities, communication plan, and testing and maintenance. A BCP is related to an organization’s defined data backup and restoration procedures, but it is not the most important factor to consider when reviewing them. A BCP defines the recovery objectives and strategies for the entire organization, while the data backup and restoration procedures are more specific and technical in nature.

C. Mean time to restore (MTTR): MTTR is a metric that measures the average time it takes to restore a system or service after a failure or outage. MTTR is an indicator of the efficiency and effectiveness of an organization’s recovery process, as well as the availability and reliability of its systems or services. MTTR is related to an organization’s defined data backup and restoration procedures, but it is not the most important factor to consider when reviewing them. MTTR reflects the actual performance of the recovery process, while the data backup and restoration procedures define the expected steps and actions for the recovery process.

D. Mean time between failures (MTBF): MTBF is a metric that measures the average time between failures or outages of a system or service. MTBF is an indicator of the quality and durability of an organization’s systems or services, as well as their susceptibility to failures or outages. MTBF is related to an organization’s defined data backup and restoration procedures, but it is not the most important factor to consider when reviewing them. MTBF reflects the potential frequency of failures or outages, while the data backup and restoration procedures define the contingency plans for failures or outages.

The answer D is correct because the number of reopened tickets is the best indicator for measuring the performance of IT help desk function. Reopened tickets are tickets that have been marked as resolved by the help desk agents, but the customers are not satisfied with the resolution and reopen them for further assistance. Reopened tickets reflect the quality and effectiveness of the help desk service, as well as the customer satisfaction level. A high number of reopened tickets indicates that the help desk agents are not resolving the issues properly, or that they are not communicating well with the customers. This can lead to customer frustration, dissatisfaction, and churn. Therefore, minimizing the number of reopened tickets is a key goal for any help desk function.

The other options are not as good as option D. Percentage of problems raised from incidents (option A) is a metric that shows how many incidents are escalated to problems, which are more complex and require root cause analysis and long-term solutions. This metric reflects the complexity and severity of the issues faced by the customers, but it does not directly measure the performance of the help desk function. Mean time to categorize tickets (option B) is a metric that shows how long it takes for the help desk agents to assign a category to each ticket, such as technical, billing, or feedback. This metric reflects the efficiency and accuracy of the help desk agents, but it does not measure the quality or effectiveness of the resolution. Number of incidents reported (option C) is a metric that shows how many issues are reported by the customers to the help desk function. This metric reflects the demand and workload of the help desk function, but it does not measure how well the issues are resolved or how satisfied the customers are.

References:

Key Metrics to Measure Help Desk Performance

8 service desk KPIs and performance metrics for IT support

13 Most Important Help Desk KPIs to Track and Measure Help Desk Performance

The most important responsibility of user departments associated with program changes is approving changes before implementation. This is because user departments are the primary stakeholders and beneficiaries of the program changes, and they need to ensure that the changes meet their requirements, expectations, and objectives. User departments also need to approve the changes before implementation to avoid unauthorized, unnecessary, or erroneous changes that could affect the functionality, performance, or security of the program.

Providing unit test data is a responsibility of user departments associated with program changes, but it is not the most important one. Unit test data is used to verify that the individual components of the program work as expected after the changes. However, unit test data alone cannot guarantee that the program as a whole works correctly, or that the changes are aligned with the user departments’ needs.

Analyzing change requests is a responsibility of user departments associated with program changes, but it is not the most important one. Analyzing change requests is the process of evaluating the feasibility, necessity, and impact of the proposed changes. However, analyzing change requests does not ensure that the changes are implemented correctly, or that they are acceptable to the user departments.

Updating documentation to reflect latest changes is a responsibility of user departments associated with program changes, but it is not the most important one. Updating documentation is the process of maintaining accurate and complete records of the program’s specifications, features, and functions after the changes. However, updating documentation does not ensure that the changes are effective, or that they are approved by the user departments.

References:

ISACA, CISA Review Manual, 27th Edition, 2019, p. 281

ISACA, CISA Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Database - 12 Month Subscription

The primary benefit of using one-time passwords is that an intercepted password cannot be reused, as it is valid only for a single login session or transaction. One-time passwords enhance the security of authentication by preventing replay attacks or password guessing. The other options are not the primary benefits of using one-time passwords. Security for applications can be automated with or without one-time passwords. Users may still have to memorize complex passwords or use a device or software to generate one-time passwords. Users can still be locked out of an account if they enter an incorrect or expired one-time password. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 6, Section 6.1

Change management is the process of planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating changes to an organization’s information systems and related components. Change management aims to ensure that changes are aligned with the business objectives, minimize risks and disruptions, and maximize benefits and value.

One of the key aspects of change management is measuring its effectiveness, which means assessing whether the changes have achieved the desired outcomes and met the expectations of the stakeholders. There are various indicators that can be used to measure change management effectiveness, such as time, cost, quality, scope, satisfaction, and performance.

Among the four options given, the most appropriate indicator of change management effectiveness is the number of incidents resulting from changes. An incident is an unplanned event or interruption that affects the normal operation or service delivery of an information system. Incidents can be caused by various factors, such as errors, defects, failures, malfunctions, or malicious attacks. Incidents can have negative impacts on the organization, such as loss of data, productivity, reputation, or revenue.

The number of incidents resulting from changes is a direct measure of how well the changes have been planned, implemented, monitored, and evaluated. A high number of incidents indicates that the changes have not been properly tested, verified, communicated, or controlled. A low number of incidents indicates that the changes have been executed smoothly and successfully. Therefore, the number of incidents resulting from changes reflects the quality and effectiveness of the change management process.

The other three options are not as appropriate indicators of change management effectiveness as the number of incidents resulting from changes. The time lag between changes to the configuration and the update of records is a measure of how timely and accurate the configuration management process is. Configuration management is a subset of change management that focuses on identifying, documenting, and controlling the configuration items (CIs) that make up an information system. The time lag between changes and updates of documentation materials is a measure of how well the documentation process is aligned with the change management process. Documentation is an important aspect of change management that provides information and guidance to the stakeholders involved in or affected by the changes. The number of system software changes is a measure of how frequently and extensively the system software is modified or updated. System software changes are a type of change that affects the operating system, middleware, or utilities that support an information system.

While these three indicators are relevant and useful for measuring certain aspects of change management, they do not directly measure the outcomes or impacts of the changes on the organization. They are more related to the inputs or activities of change management than to its outputs or results. Therefore, they are not as appropriate indicators of change management effectiveness as the number of incidents resulting from changes.

References:

Metrics for Measuring Change Management - Prosci

How to Measure Change Management Effectiveness: Metrics, Tools & Processes

Metrics for Measuring Change Management 2023 - Zendesk

The greatest indicator that the cybersecurity policy may need to be revised is a significant increase in approved exceptions. This implies that the policy is not aligned with the current business needs and risks, and that it may be too restrictive or outdated. The other options are not necessarily indicators of a need for policy revision, as they may be due to other factors such as changes in the external environment, audit scope or methodology. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 5, Section 5.21

 A disaster recovery plan (DRP) is a set of detailed, documented guidelines that outline a business’ critical assets and explain how the organization will respond to unplanned incidents. Unplanned incidents or disasters typically include cyberattacks, system failures, power outages, natural disasters, equipment failures, or infrastructure damage1. A DRP aims to minimize the impact of a disaster on the business continuity, data integrity, and service delivery of the organization. A DRP also helps the organization recover from a disaster as quickly and efficiently as possible.

A DRP should include steps for obtaining replacement supplies, as this is an essential part of restoring the normal operation of the organization after a disaster. Replacement supplies may include hardware, software, data, network components, office equipment, or other resources that are needed to resume the business functions and processes that were disrupted by the disaster. Obtaining replacement supplies may involve contacting vendors, suppliers, or partners; activating backup or alternative systems; or purchasing or renting new equipment. A DRP should identify the sources, locations, and costs of the replacement supplies, as well as the procedures and responsibilities for acquiring and installing them.

The other three options are not steps that a DRP should include, as they are either part of the pre-disaster planning process or not directly related to the disaster recovery objectives. Assessing and quantifying risk is a step that should be done before creating a DRP, as it helps identify the potential threats and vulnerabilities that could affect the organization and determine the likelihood and impact of each scenario2. Negotiating contracts with disaster planning consultants is also a pre-disaster activity that may help the organization design, implement, test, and maintain a DRP with external expertise and guidance3. Identifying application control requirements is not a step in a DRP, but rather a part of the application development and maintenance process that ensures the quality, security, and reliability of the software applications used by the organization.

Therefore, obtaining replacement supplies is the correct answer.

References:

What is a Disaster Recovery Plan? + Complete Checklist

Risk Assessment - ISACA

Disaster Recovery Planning - ISACA

[Application Controls - ISACA]

The most effective method of destroying sensitive data stored on electronic media is physical destruction, which involves breaking, shredding, melting, or incinerating the media to make it unreadable and unrecoverable. Degaussing, random character overwrite, and low-level formatting are methods of sanitizing or erasing data from electronic media, but they do not guarantee complete destruction of data and may leave some traces that can be recovered by advanced techniques. Therefore, physical destruction is the most secure and reliable method of data disposal for sensitive data. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 5: Protection of Information Assets, Section 5.4: Data Disposal

 The most important reason to classify a disaster recovery plan (DRP) as confidential is to reduce the risk of data leakage that could lead to an attack. A DRP contains sensitive information about the organization’s IT infrastructure, systems, processes, and procedures for recovering from a disaster. If this information falls into the wrong hands, it could be exploited by malicious actors to launch targeted attacks, sabotage recovery efforts, or extort ransom. Therefore, a DRP should be protected from unauthorized access, disclosure, modification, or destruction.

The other options are not as important as reducing the risk of data leakage that could lead to an attack:

Ensuring compliance with the data classification policy is a good practice, but it is not a sufficient reason to classify a DRP as confidential. The data classification policy should reflect the level of risk and impact associated with each type of data, and a DRP should be classified as confidential based on its potential harm if compromised.

Protecting the plan from unauthorized alteration is a valid concern, but it is not a primary reason to classify a DRP as confidential. A DRP should be protected from unauthorized alteration by implementing access controls, audit trails, version control, and change management processes. Classifying a DRP as confidential may deter some unauthorized alterations, but it does not prevent them.

Complying with business continuity best practice is a desirable goal, but it is not a compelling reason to classify a DRP as confidential. Business continuity best practice may recommend classifying a DRP as confidential, but it does not mandate it. The decision to classify a DRP as confidential should be based on a risk assessment and a cost-benefit analysis.

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 audit charter is the document that defines the purpose, authority and responsibility of the IS audit function. It provides IS audit professionals with the best source of direction for performing audit functions, as it establishes the scope, objectives, reporting lines, independence, accountability and resources of the IS audit function. The IT steering committee is a governance body that oversees the strategic alignment, prioritization and direction of IT initiatives, but it does not provide specific guidance for IS audit functions. The information security policy is a document that defines the rules and principles for protecting information assets in the organization, but it does not cover all aspects of IS audit functions. Audit best practices are general guidelines and recommendations for conducting effective and efficient audits, but they are not binding or authoritative sources of direction for IS audit functions. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version) 1, Chapter 1: Information Systems Auditing Process, Section 1.1: Audit Charter.

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

 Decreased time for incident resolution is the best indicator that an incident management process is effective. Incident management is a process that aims to restore normal service operation as quickly as possible after an incident, which is an unplanned interruption or reduction in quality of an IT service. Decreased time for incident resolution means that the incident management process is able to identify, analyze, respond to, and resolve incidents efficiently and effectively. The other indicators do not necessarily reflect the effectiveness of the incident management process, as they may depend on other factors such as the nature, frequency, and severity of incidents. References: CISA Review Manual, 27th Edition, page 372

 Upon completion of audit work, an IS auditor should distribute a summary of general findings to the members of the auditing team. This is to ensure that the audit team members are aware of the audit results, have an opportunity to provide feedback, and can agree on the audit conclusions and recommendations. Providing a report to senior management prior to discussion with the auditee, providing a report to the auditee stating the initial findings, and reviewing the working papers with the auditee are not appropriate actions for an IS auditor to take upon completion of audit work, as they may compromise the audit independence, objectivity, and quality. References: ISACA CISA Review Manual 27th Edition, page 221

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

 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

 A business impact analysis (BIA) is a process that identifies and evaluates the potential effects or consequences of disruptions or disasters on an organization’s critical business functions or processes. A BIA can help prioritize the recovery of critical functions by assessing their importance and urgency for the organization’s operations, objectives, and stakeholders, and determining their recovery time objectives (RTOs), which are the maximum acceptable time for restoring a function after a disruption. A business continuity plan (BCP) testing is a process that verifies and validates the effectiveness and readiness of a BCP, which is a document that outlines the strategies and procedures for ensuring the continuity of critical business functions in the event of a disruption or disaster. A BCP testing does not prioritize the recovery of critical functions, but rather evaluates how well they are recovered according to the BCP. A disaster recovery plan (DRP) testing is a process that verifies and validates the effectiveness and readiness of a DRP, which is a document that outlines the technical and operational steps for restoring the IT systems and infrastructure that support critical business functions in the event of a disruption or disaster. A DRP testing does not prioritize the recovery of critical functions, but rather evaluates how well they are supported by the IT systems and infrastructure according to the DRP. A risk assessment is a process that identifies and analyzes the potential threats and vulnerabilities that could affect an organization’s critical business functions or processes. A risk assessment does not prioritize the recovery of critical functions, but rather estimates their likelihood and impact of being disrupted by various risk scenarios. 

 Root cause is the most important thing for an IS auditor to determine and understand to develop meaningful recommendations for findings. A root cause is the underlying factor or condition that leads to a problem or issue. A finding is a statement that describes a problem or issue identified during an audit. A recommendation is a suggestion or advice that aims to address or resolve a finding. To develop meaningful recommendations for findings, an IS auditor should determine and understand the root cause of each finding, as this can help to identify the most effective and appropriate actions to prevent or correct the problem or issue. The other options are not as important as determining and understanding the root cause, as they do not directly address or resolve the finding. References: CISA Review Manual, 27th Edition, page 434

The best way to prevent accepting bad data from a third-party service provider is to implement business rules to reject invalid data. Business rules are logical statements that define the data quality requirements and standards for the organization. By implementing business rules, the organization can ensure that only data that meets the predefined criteria is accepted into the enterprise data warehouse. Obtaining error codes indicating failed data feeds, purchasing data cleansing tools from a reputable vendor, and appointing data quality champions across the organization are useful measures to improve data quality, but they do not prevent accepting bad data in the first place. References: ISACA Journal Article: Data Quality Management

 The IS auditor should be most concerned about the lack of follow-up education for staff members who failed the phishing simulation test. Phishing simulation tests are designed to assess the level of awareness and susceptibility of staff members to phishing attacks, and to provide feedback and training to improve their security behavior. If staff members who failed the test do not receive follow-up education, they will not learn from their mistakes and may continue to fall victim to real phishing attacks, which could compromise the security of the organization.

The other options are less concerning for the IS auditor:

Test results were not communicated to staff members. This is not ideal, as staff members should receive feedback on their performance and learn from the test results. However, this does not necessarily mean that they did not receive any training or education on how to avoid phishing attacks.

Staff members were not notified about the test beforehand. This is a common practice for phishing simulation tests, as it mimics the real-world scenario where staff members do not know when they will receive a phishing email. The purpose of the test is to measure their spontaneous reaction and awareness, not their preparedness or compliance.

Security awareness training was not provided prior to the test. This is not a major concern, as the test can serve as a baseline measurement of the current level of awareness and susceptibility of staff members, and as a starting point for providing tailored training and education based on the test results.

A firewall is a device or software that monitors and controls the incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predefined rules. A firewall can help protect an organization’s network and information systems from unauthorized or malicious access, by filtering or blocking unwanted or harmful packets. The most important thing for an IS auditor to verify when evaluating an organization’s firewall is that the logs are being collected in a separate protected host. Logs are records of events or activities that occur on a system or network, such as connections, requests, responses, errors, and alerts. Logs can provide valuable information for auditing, monitoring, troubleshooting, and investigating security incidents. However, logs can also be tampered with, deleted, or corrupted by attackers or insiders who want to hide their tracks or evidence of their actions. Therefore, it is essential that logs are stored in a separate host that is isolated and secured from the network and the firewall itself, to prevent unauthorized access or modification of the logs. Automated alerts are being sent when a risk is detected is a good practice for enhancing the security and efficiency of a firewall, but it is not the most important thing for an IS auditor to verify, as alerts may not always be accurate, timely, or actionable. Insider attacks are being controlled is a desirable outcome for a firewall, but it is not the most important thing for an IS auditor to verify, as insider attacks may involve other factors or methods that bypass or compromise the firewall, such as social engineering, credential theft, or physical access. Access to configuration files is restricted is a critical control for ensuring the security and integrity of a firewall, but it is not the most important thing for an IS auditor to verify, as configuration files may not reflect the actual state or performance of the firewall. 

he design of an incident management process should include prioritization criteria to ensure that incidents are handled according to their impact and urgency. Without prioritization criteria, the organization may not be able to allocate resources effectively and respond to incidents in a timely manner. Expected time to resolve incidents, service management standards, and metrics reporting are important aspects of incident management, but they are not as critical as prioritization criteria for the design of the process. References: ISACA Journal Article: Incident Management: A Practical Approach

 The auditor’s next course of action should be to evaluate the appropriateness of the remedial action taken by the auditee. The auditor should assess whether the alternative approach taken by the auditee is effective, efficient, and aligned with the audit objectives and recommendations. The auditor should also consider the impact of the change on the audit scope, criteria, and risk assessment. Conducting a risk analysis incorporating the change, reporting results of the follow-up to the audit committee, and informing senior management of the change in approach are possible subsequent actions that the auditor may take after evaluating the appropriateness of the remedial action taken. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version): Chapter 1 - Information Systems Auditing Process

The greatest concern for an IS auditor when reviewing IT policies and procedures that are not regularly reviewed and updated is that policies and procedures might not reflect current practices. Policies are documents that define the goals, objectives, and guidelines for an organization’s information systems and resources. Procedures are documents that describe the steps, tasks, or activities for implementing or executing policies. Policies and procedures should be regularly reviewed and updated to ensure that they are relevant, accurate, consistent, and effective for the organization’s information systems and resources. Policies and procedures that are not regularly reviewed and updated might not reflect current practices, as they might be outdated, obsolete, or incompatible with the current state or needs of the organization’s information systems and resources. This can cause confusion, inconsistency, inefficiency, or noncompliance among users or stakeholders who rely on policies and procedures for guidance or direction. Policies and procedures might not include new systems and corresponding process changes is a possible concern for an IS auditor when reviewing IT policies and procedures that are not regularly reviewed and updated, but it is not the greatest one. Policies and procedures might not include new systems and corresponding process changes, as they might be unaware of or unresponsive to the introduction or modification of information systems or resources within the organization. This can cause gaps, overlaps, or conflicts among policies and procedures that affect different information systems or resources. 

 Reviewing a sample of system-generated backup logs is the best step to verify that regularly scheduled backups are timely and run to completion. Backup logs are records that document the details and results of backup operations, such as the date, time, duration, status, errors, and exceptions. By reviewing a sample of backup logs, the IS auditor can check whether the backups are performed according to the schedule and whether they are completed successfully or not. The other steps do not provide as much evidence or assurance as reviewing backup logs, as they do not show the actual outcome or performance of backup operations. References: CISA Review Manual, 27th Edition, page 247

Clustering is a technique that groups multiple servers or nodes together to act as one system, providing high availability, scalability, and load balancing for applications or services. Clustering can improve system resiliency, which is the ability of a system to withstand or recover from failures or disruptions without compromising its functionality or performance. Clustering can achieve this by providing redundancy and fault tolerance for critical components or processes, enabling automatic failover and recovery in case of node failures, distributing workload among multiple nodes to avoid overloading or bottlenecks, and allowing dynamic addition or removal of nodes to meet changing demand or capacity needs. Clustering may also decrease system response time by improving performance and efficiency through load balancing and parallel processing, but this is not its primary purpose. Clustering may facilitate faster backups by enabling concurrent backup operations across multiple nodes, but this is not its main benefit. Clustering may improve the recovery time objective (RTO), which is the maximum acceptable time for restoring a system or service after a disruption, by reducing the downtime and data loss caused by failures, but this is not the best reason for using clustering, as there may be other factors that affect the RTO, such as backup frequency, recovery procedures, and testing methods. 

 Validating that assets are protected according to assigned classification is the primary role of the IS auditor in an organization’s information classification process. An IS auditor should evaluate whether the information security controls are adequate and effective in safeguarding the information assets based on their classification levels. The other options are not the primary role of the IS auditor, but rather the responsibilities of the information owners, custodians, or security managers. References:

CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 6, Section 6.2.31

CISA Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Database, Question ID 206

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

 IT value analysis has not been completed is a finding from an IT governance review that should be of greatest concern. IT value analysis is a process of measuring and demonstrating the contribution of IT to the organization’s goals and objectives. An IS auditor should be concerned about the lack of IT value analysis, as it may indicate that the IT investments and resources are not aligned with the business needs and expectations, or that the IT performance and outcomes are not monitored and evaluated. The other options are less critical findings that may not have a significant impact on the IT governance. References:

CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 5, Section 5.11

CISA Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Database, Question ID 218

 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. 

Access to the spreadsheet is given only to those who require access is the most important control for maintaining the security of data in the spreadsheet. An IS auditor should ensure that the principle of least privilege is applied to limit the access to sensitive financial data and prevent unauthorized disclosure, modification, or deletion. The other options are less important controls that may enhance the accuracy, availability, or integrity of data in the spreadsheet, but not its security. References:

CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 6, Section 6.31

CISA Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Database, Question ID 210

 Impact assessment is an activity that occurs during the issues management process for a system development project. Issues management is a process of identifying, analyzing, resolving, and monitoring issues that may affect the project scope, schedule, budget, or quality. Impact assessment is a technique of evaluating the severity and priority of an issue, as well as its implications for the project objectives and deliverables. The other options are not activities that occur during the issues management process, but rather related to other processes such as contingency planning, configuration management, or help desk management. References:

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

CISA Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Database, Question ID 217

The best way to prevent data leakage from a lost mobile device is data encryption on the mobile device. Data encryption is a technique that transforms data into an unreadable format using a secret key or algorithm. Data encryption protects data from unauthorized access or disclosure in case of loss or theft of a mobile device. Complex password policy for mobile devices, triggering of remote data wipe capabilities, and awareness training for mobile device users are useful measures to enhance data security on mobile devices, but they do not prevent data leakage as effectively as data encryption. A complex password policy can be bypassed by brute force attacks or password cracking tools. Remote data wipe capabilities depend on network connectivity and device power availability. Awareness training for mobile device users can reduce human errors or negligence, but it cannot guarantee compliance or behavior change. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version): Chapter 5 - Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience

 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.

 The main purpose of an information security management system (ISMS) is to reduce the frequency and impact of information security incidents. An ISMS is a systematic approach to managing information security risks, policies, procedures, and controls within an organization. An ISMS aims to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information assets, as well as to comply with relevant laws and regulations. The other options are not the main purpose of an ISMS, but rather some of its possible benefits or components. References:

CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 7, Section 7.11

CISA Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Database, Question ID 205

Ensuring access rules agree with policies is an information systems security officer’s primary responsibility for business process applications. An information systems security officer should verify that the access controls implemented for the business process applications are consistent with the organization’s security policy and objectives. The other options are not the primary responsibility of an information systems security officer, but rather the tasks of an application owner, a senior management, or a business analyst. References:

CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 7, Section 7.3.11

CISA Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Database, Question ID 208

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.

References: : ISACA. (2001). Information Security Governance Guidance for B

IT disaster recovery time objectives (RTOs) are the maximum acceptable time that an IT system can be unavailable after a disaster before it causes unacceptable consequences for the business. IT RTOs should be based on the business-defined criticality of the systems, which reflects how important they are for supporting the business processes and functions. The maximum tolerable loss of data, the nature of the outage, and the maximum tolerable downtime (MTD) are also factors that affect the IT RTOs, but they are not the primary basis for determining them. 

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, by comparing 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

 The best environment for copying data and transforming it into a compatible data warehouse format is the staging environment. The staging environment is a temporary area where data from various sources are extracted, transformed, and loaded (ETL) before being moved to the data warehouse. The staging environment allows for data cleansing, validation, integration, and standardization without affecting the source or target systems. The testing environment is not suitable for copying data and transforming it into a compatible data warehouse format, as it is used for verifying and validating the functionality and performance of applications or systems. The replication environment is not suitable for copying data and transforming it into a compatible data warehouse format, as it is used for creating identical copies of data or systems for backup or recovery purposes. The development environment is not suitable for copying data and transforming it into a compatible data warehouse format, as it is used for creating or modifying applications or systems. References:

CISA Review Manual, 27th Edition, pages 475-4761

CISA Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Database, Question ID: 2642

 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.

 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 the payment 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.

 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.

The best recommendation is to place an intrusion detection system (IDS) between the firewall and the Internet. An IDS is a device or software that monitors network traffic for malicious activity and alerts the network administrator or takes preventive action. By placing an IDS between the firewall and the Internet, the IS auditor can enhance the security of the network perimeter and detect any attack attempts that the firewall was unable to recognize.

The other options are not as effective as placing an IDS between the firewall and the Internet:

Placing an IDS between the firewall and the organization’s web server would not protect the web server from external attacks that bypass the firewall. The web server should be placed in a demilitarized zone (DMZ), which is a separate network segment that isolates public-facing servers from the internal network.

Placing an IDS between the firewall and the demilitarized zone (DMZ) would not protect the DMZ from external attacks that bypass the firewall. The DMZ should be protected by two firewalls, one facing the Internet and one facing the internal network, with an IDS monitoring both sides of each firewall.

Placing an IDS between the firewall and the organization’s network would not protect the organization’s network from external attacks that bypass the firewall. The organization’s network should be protected by a firewall that blocks unauthorized traffic from entering or leaving the network, with an IDS monitoring both sides of the firewall.

Mapping IT processes to roles is an activity that provides an IS auditor with the most insight regarding potential single person dependencies that might exist within the organization. Single person dependencies occur when only one person has the knowledge, skills, or access rights to perform a critical IT function. Mapping IT processes to roles can help to identify such dependencies and assess their impact on the continuity and security of IT operations. The other activities do not provide as much insight into single person dependencies, as they do not show the relationship between IT processes and roles. References: CISA Review Manual, 27th Edition, page 94

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. 

When auditing the alignment of IT to the business strategy, it is most important for the IS auditor to evaluate deliverables of new IT initiatives against planned business services. This can help the IS auditor to assess whether the IT initiatives are meeting the business needs and expectations, delivering value and benefits, and supporting the business objectives and goals. Comparing the organization’s strategic plan against industry best practice is a possible technique for auditing the alignment of IT to the business strategy, but it is not the most important thing for the IS auditor to do, as industry best practice may not be applicable or relevant to the specific context or situation of the organization. Interviewing senior managers for their opinion of the IT function is a possible technique for auditing the alignment of IT to the business strategy, but it is not the most important thing for the IS auditor to do, as senior managers’ opinions may be subjective or biased, and may not reflect the actual performance or outcomes of the IT function. Ensuring an IT steering committee is appointed to monitor new IT projects is a possible control for ensuring the alignment of IT to the business strategy, but it is not the most important thing for the IS auditor to do, as an IT steering committee may not be effective or efficient in monitoring new IT projects, and may not have sufficient authority or influence over the IT function. 

 Clustering is a technique that allows multiple servers to work together as a single system, providing high availability, load balancing, and fault tolerance. Clustering can limit the potential impact of server failures in a distributed environment, as it can automatically switch the workload to another server in the cluster if one server fails, without interrupting the service. Redundant pathways, failover power, and parallel testing are also useful for improving the reliability and availability of servers, but they do not directly address the issue of server failures. 

The primary reason for an IS auditor to use data analytics techniques is to reduce detection risk. Detection risk is the risk that an IS auditor will fail to detect material errors or irregularities in the information systems environment. By using data analytics techniques, such as data extraction, analysis, visualization, and reporting, an IS auditor can enhance the audit scope, coverage, efficiency, and effectiveness. Data analytics techniques can help an IS auditor to identify anomalies, patterns, trends, correlations, and outliers in large volumes of data that may indicate potential issues or risks. Technology risk, control risk, and inherent risk are types of audit risk that are not directly affected by the use of data analytics techniques by an IS auditor. References: [ISACA Journal Article: Data Analytics for Auditors]

 A network firewall is a device or software that monitors and controls the incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predefined rules. A network firewall can help reduce the risk of denial of service (DoS) attacks, which are attempts to overwhelm a system or network with excessive requests or traffic, by filtering or blocking unwanted or malicious packets. A SQL injection attack is a type of code injection attack that exploits a vulnerability in a web application’s database query, by inserting malicious SQL statements into the input fields. A phishing attack is a type of social engineering attack that attempts to trick users into revealing sensitive information or installing malware, by sending fraudulent emails or messages that impersonate legitimate entities. An insider attack is a type of malicious activity that originates from within an organization, such as employees, contractors, or partners, who abuse their access privileges or credentials to compromise the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of information systems or data. A network firewall cannot prevent these types of attacks, as they rely on exploiting human or application weaknesses rather than network vulnerabilities.

 Control self-assessment (CSA) is a technique that enables business managers and staff to assess and improve the effectiveness of their own controls and risk management processes. CSA can best enable the timely identification of risk exposure, as it allows for continuous monitoring and reporting of risks by those who are closest to the business processes and activities. External audit review, internal audit review, and stress testing are also useful methods for identifying risk exposure, but they are not as timely as CSA, as they are performed periodically or on demand by external or internal parties who may not have as much insight into the business operations and environment. References: ISACA CISA Review Manual 27th Edition, page 95.

The best recommendation for the IS auditor to facilitate compliance with the new regulation is to include the requirement in the incident management response plan. An incident management response plan is a document that defines the roles, responsibilities, processes, and procedures for responding to security incidents. By including the new regulation in the plan, the IS auditor can ensure that the organization is aware of the reporting obligation, has a clear workflow for notifying the regulator within 24 hours, and has the necessary documentation and evidence to support the report.

The other options are not as effective as including the requirement in the incident management response plan:

Establishing key performance indicators (KPIs) for timely identification of security incidents is a good practice, but it does not guarantee compliance with the regulation. KPIs are metrics that measure the performance of a process or activity, but they do not specify how to perform it. The IS auditor should also provide guidance on how to identify and report security incidents within 24 hours.

Engaging an external security incident response expert for incident handling is a possible option, but it may not be feasible or cost-effective. The organization may not have the budget or time to hire an external expert, or may prefer to handle the incidents internally. The IS auditor should also evaluate the qualifications and trustworthiness of the external expert, and ensure that they comply with the regulation and other contractual or legal obligations.

Enhancing the alert functionality of the intrusion detection system (IDS) is a useful measure, but it is not sufficient to comply with the regulation. An IDS is a tool that monitors network traffic for malicious activity and alerts the network administrator or takes preventive action. However, an IDS may not detect all types of security incidents, or may generate false positives or negatives. The IS auditor should also consider other sources of incident detection, such as logs, reports, audits, or user feedback.

The completeness of the vulnerability scanning process depends on the accuracy and currency of the organization’s systems inventory, which is a list of all the hardware and software assets that are owned or used by the organization. A complete and up-to-date systems inventory can help ensure that all the systems are identified and scanned for vulnerabilities, and that no system is missed or overlooked. Vulnerability scanning results are reported to the CISO is a good practice for ensuring accountability and visibility of the vulnerability management process, but it is not the most important thing to verify when determining the completeness of the vulnerability scanning process, as reporting does not guarantee that all the systems are scanned. The organization is using a cloud-hosted scanning tool for identification of vulnerabilities is a possible option for conducting vulnerability scanning, but it is not the most important thing to verify when determining the completeness of the vulnerability scanning process, as the type of scanning tool does not affect the scope or coverage of the scanning. Access to the vulnerability scanning tool is periodically reviewed is a critical control for ensuring the security and integrity of the vulnerability scanning tool, but it is not the most important thing to verify when determining the completeness of the vulnerability scanning process, as access review does not ensure that all the systems are scanned. 

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

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 IS auditor’s primary concern when auditing the proposed acquisition of new computer hardware is that a clear business case has been established. A business case is a document that justifies the need, feasibility, and benefits of a proposed project or investment. A clear business case can help to ensure that the acquisition of new computer hardware is aligned with the organization’s goals, objectives, and requirements, and that it provides value for money and return on investment. The other options are not as important as establishing a clear business case, as they do not address the rationale or justification for acquiring new computer hardware. References: CISA Review Manual, 27th Edition, page 467

 Requiring documentation that the finding will be addressed within the new system is the best course of action for a follow-up audit. An IS auditor should obtain evidence that the complex security vulnerability of low risk will be resolved in the new system and that there is a reasonable timeline for its implementation. The other options are not appropriate courses of action, as they may be too costly, time-consuming, or impractical for a low-risk finding. References:

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

CISA Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Database, Question ID 209

 Discovery sampling is an appropriate sampling method for an IS auditor who intends to launch an intensive investigation if one exception is found. Discovery sampling is a type of attribute sampling that determines the sample size based on an acceptable risk of not finding at least one occurrence of an attribute when a given rate of occurrence exists in a population. Discovery sampling can be used by an IS auditor who wants to detect fraud or errors that have a low probability but high impact on an audit objective. The other options are not appropriate sampling methods for this purpose, as they may involve judgmental sampling, variable sampling, or stratified sampling. References:

CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 2, Section 2.31

CISA Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Database, Question ID 230

Signature-based intrusion detection systems (IDS) are systems that compare network traffic with predefined patterns of known attacks, called signatures. The effectiveness of signature-based IDS depends on how well they can detect new or unknown attacks that are not in their signature database. Therefore, an increase in the number of detected incidents not previously identified is the best indicator of the effectiveness of signature-based IDS, as it shows that they can recognize novel or modified attacks. 

This must be in place before an IS auditor initiates audit follow-up activities, because it indicates that management has acknowledged and accepted the audit findings and recommendations, and has agreed to take corrective actions within a specified timeframe. Audit follow-up activities are the processes and procedures that the IS auditor performs to verify that management has implemented the agreed-upon actions effectively and in a timely manner, and that the audit findings have been resolved or mitigated.

The other options are not required to be in place before an IS auditor initiates audit follow-up activities:

Available resources for the activities included in the action plan. This is a factor that may affect the feasibility and success of the action plan, but it is not a prerequisite for the audit follow-up activities. The IS auditor should assess the availability and adequacy of the resources for the action plan during the audit planning and execution phases, and provide recommendations accordingly. However, the IS auditor does not need to wait for the resources to be available before initiating the audit follow-up activities.

A heat map with the gaps and recommendations displayed in terms of risk. This is a tool that may help the IS auditor prioritize and communicate the gaps and recommendations, but it is not a requirement for the audit follow-up activities. A heat map is a graphical representation of data that uses colors to indicate the level of risk or impact of each gap or recommendation. The IS auditor may use a heat map to support the audit report or presentation, but it does not replace the need for a management response with a committed implementation date.

Supporting evidence for the gaps and recommendations mentioned in the audit report. This is a component that should be included in the audit report, but it is not a condition for the audit follow-up activities. Supporting evidence is the information or data that supports or substantiates the audit findings and recommendations. The IS auditor should collect and document sufficient, reliable, relevant, and useful evidence during the audit execution phase, and present it in the audit report. However, the IS auditor does not need to have supporting evidence in place before initiating the audit follow-up activities.

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 an activity 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. 

 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

For an organization that has plans to implement web-based trading, it would be most important for an IS auditor to verify that the organization’s information security plan includes security requirements for the new application. Security requirements are statements that define what security features and functions are needed to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the web-based trading application and its data. Security requirements should be identified and documented during the planning phase of the application development life cycle, before any design or coding activities take place. Attributes for system passwords, security training prior to implementation, and firewall configuration for the web server are also important aspects of information security, but they are not as essential as security requirements for ensuring that the web-based trading application meets its security objectives.

 The auditor’s best course of action when senior management disagrees with some of the facts presented in the draft audit report is to gather evidence to analyze senior management’s objections. The auditor should not revise the assessment, escalate the issue, or finalize the report without changes until they have evaluated the validity and relevance of senior management’s objections and resolved any discrepancies or misunderstandings. The auditor should maintain a professional and objective attitude and seek to present a fair and accurate audit report based on sufficient and appropriate evidence. References:

CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), page 372

CISA Questions, Answers & Explanations Database, question ID 3338

The best approach for management in developing a test plan is to use processing parameters that are simulated by production entities and customers. This is because using realistic data and scenarios can help to evaluate the functionality, performance, reliability, and security of the new system under actual operating conditions and expectations. Using processing parameters that are randomly selected by a test generator, provided by the vendor of the application, or randomly selected by the user may not be sufficient or representative of the production environment and may not reveal all the potential issues or defects of the new system. References: [ISACA CISA Review Manual 27th Edition], page 266.

When a data center is attempting to restore computing facilities at an alternative site following a disaster, the operating system should be restored FIRST. Here’s why:

1. Operating System (OS):

The OS is the foundation of any computing environment. It manages hardware resources, provides essential services, and allows applications to run.

Restoring the OS ensures that the infrastructure is operational and ready for further recovery steps.

Without a functional OS, applications cannot execute, and data backups cannot be effectively restored.

2. Data Backups:

While data backups are critical for recovery, they depend on a working infrastructure.

If the OS is not operational, restoring data backups becomes challenging.

Data backups should follow the OS restoration.

3. Applications:

Applications rely on the OS to function.

Restoring applications before the OS may lead to compatibility issues or incomplete functionality.

Applications should be restored after ensuring a stable OS environment.

4. Decision Support System (DSS):

DSS is an application category.

It should follow the restoration of both the OS and critical applications.

In summary, prioritize restoring the operating system, which forms the basis for subsequent recovery steps12. Once the OS is functional, proceed with data backups, applications, and other systems as needed.

A post-implementation change review is the best compensating control against segregation of duties conflicts in new code development. This process involves a thorough review of the changes after they have been implemented to ensure that they meet their objectives and that the stakeholders are satisfied with the results1. It provides an opportunity to identify and correct any issues or conflicts that may have arisen during the development and implementation process. While other options like adding developers to the change approval board, limiting code deployment access to a small number of people, and creating staging environments can also serve as compensating controls, a post-implementation change review provides a more comprehensive and effective control mechanism21.

References:

Review and Close Change process ST 2 5 - Micro Focus

Change Management for SOC: Risks, Controls, Audits, Guidance

The best option that facilitates strategic program management is aligning projects with business portfolios (option C). This is because:

Strategic program management is the coordinated planning, management, and execution of multiple related projects that are directed toward the same strategic goals12.

Aligning projects with business portfolios means ensuring that the projects within a program are aligned with the organization’s strategic objectives, vision, and mission .

Aligning projects with business portfolios helps to prioritize the most valuable and impactful projects, optimize the allocation of resources, monitor the progress and performance of the program, and deliver the expected benefits and outcomes .

Implementing stage gates (option A) is a process of reviewing and approving projects at predefined points in their lifecycle to ensure that they meet the quality, scope, time, and cost criteria. While this can help to control and improve the project management process, it does not necessarily facilitate strategic program management, as it does not address the alignment of projects with business portfolios.

Establishing a quality assurance (QA) process (option B) is a process of ensuring that the project deliverables meet the quality standards and requirements of the stakeholders. While this can help to enhance the quality and satisfaction of the project outcomes, it does not necessarily facilitate strategic program management, as it does not address the alignment of projects with business portfolios.

Tracking key project milestones (option D) is a process of monitoring and reporting the completion of significant events or deliverables in a project. While this can help to measure and communicate the progress and status of the project, it does not necessarily facilitate strategic program management, as it does not address the alignment of projects with business portfolios.

Therefore, the best option that facilitates strategic program management is aligning projects with business portfolios (option C), as this ensures that the projects within a program are consistent with the organization’s strategic goals and objectives.

References: 1: Program Management: The Key to Strategic Execution 2: The Ultimate Guide to Program Management [2023] • Asana : Project Portfolio Management - PMI : Aligning Projects with Strategy - Harvard Business Review : What Is Stage-Gate Process? - ProjectManager.com : Quality Assurance in Project Management - PMI : What Is a Milestone in Project Management? - TeamGantt

 A contingency facility is a backup site that can be used to resume business operations in the event of a disaster or disruption at the primary site. The most important consideration for a contingency facility is that it is located a sufficient distance away from the primary site, so that it is not affected by the same event that caused the disruption. For example, if the primary site is damaged by a fire, flood, earthquake, or terrorist attack, the contingency facility should be in a different geographic area that is unlikely to experience the same hazard. This way, the organization can continue to provide its services and products to its customers and stakeholders without interruption.

The other options are not as important as the location of the contingency facility. The badge access controls, the number of business assets, and the identifiability of the sites are secondary factors that may affect the security and efficiency of the contingency facility, but they are not essential for its functionality. Therefore, option C is the correct answer.

References:

The Importance of Contingency Planning

WHO guidance for contingency planning

 The most effective control over visitor access to highly secured areas is to require visitors to be escorted by authorized personnel. This control ensures that visitors are supervised at all times and do not enter any restricted or sensitive areas without permission. It also allows authorized personnel to verify the identity, purpose, and clearance of the visitors, and to monitor their behavior and activities. Escorting visitors also reduces the risk of tailgating, piggybacking, or unauthorized duplication of access credentials.

Requiring visitors to use biometric authentication, monitoring visitors online by security cameras, and requiring visitors to enter through dead-man doors are all examples of technical controls that can enhance visitor access control, but they are not as effective as escorting visitors. Biometric authentication can provide a high level of identity verification, but it does not prevent visitors from accessing unauthorized areas or compromising security in other ways. Security cameras can provide a record of visitor movements and actions, but they may not deter or detect security breaches in real time. Dead-man doors can prevent unauthorized entry by requiring two-factor authentication, but they do not ensure that visitors are accompanied by authorized personnel.

References:

ISC Best Practices for Facility Access Control1

Visitor Management Best Practices From Top Organizations2

8 Best Practices for Setting Up a Visitor Management System3

Beta testing is the process of releasing a near-final version of a software product to a group of external users, known as beta testers, who provide feedback and report bugs based on their real-world experiences. Beta testing offers various benefits for both the developers and the users of the software product. Some of these benefits are:

It reduces product failure risk via customer validation12.

It helps to test post-launch infrastructure1.

It helps to improve product quality via customer feedback12.

It allows for thorough bug detection and issue resolution3.

It enhances usability and user experience3.

It increases customer satisfaction and loyalty3.

Based on these benefits, the most important advantage of participating in beta testing of software products is D. It enables an organization to gain familiarity with new products and their functionality. By being involved in beta testing, an organization can learn how to use the new product effectively, discover its features and benefits, and provide suggestions for improvement. This can help the organization to adopt the new product faster, easier, and more efficiently when it is officially released. It can also give the organization a competitive edge over other users who are not familiar with the new product.

Before selecting a SaaS vendor, the most important action is to complete a risk assessment. A risk assessment is a process of identifying, analyzing, and evaluating the potential risks associated with outsourcing software and IT infrastructure to a third-party provider. A risk assessment helps to determine the impact and likelihood of various threats, such as data breaches, service disruptions, vendor lock-in, compliance issues, and legal disputes. A risk assessment also helps to identify the mitigation strategies and controls that can reduce or eliminate the risks.

A risk assessment is more important than determining service level requirements, performing a business impact analysis (BIA), or conducting a vendor audit because it provides the basis for these other actions. Service level requirements are the expectations and obligations that define the quality and quantity of service that the vendor must provide to the customer. A BIA is a process of assessing the potential effects of an interruption or disruption of critical business functions or processes due to an incident or disaster. A vendor audit is a process of verifying the vendor’s compliance with the contract terms, service levels, security policies, and best practices.

Service level requirements, BIA, and vendor audit are all important actions for selecting a SaaS vendor, but they depend on the results of the risk assessment. For example, service level requirements should reflect the risk appetite and tolerance of the customer, which are determined by the risk assessment. A BIA should prioritize the recovery of the most critical and vulnerable business functions or processes, which are identified by the risk assessment. A vendor audit should focus on the areas of highest risk and concern, which are highlighted by the risk assessment.

Therefore, an IS auditor should recommend to management that completing a risk assessment is the most important action before selecting a SaaS vendor.

References:

SaaS checklist: Nine factors to consider when selecting a vendor

SaaS vendor management: 10 best practices to achieve success

Best Practices for Software SaaS Vendor Selection and Negotiation

How to Evaluate SaaS Providers and Solutions by Developing … - Gartner

The best course of action for a security administrator who is called in the middle of the night by the on-call programmer who needs access to the live system is to give the programmer an emergency ID for temporary access and review the activity. This is because:

Requiring that a change request be completed and approved may delay the resolution of the problem and cause further damage or disruption to the system or business operations. A change request is a formal document that describes the proposed change, its rationale, impact, benefits, risks, costs, and approval process. A change request is usually required for planned or scheduled changes, not for emergency or urgent changes.

Giving the programmer read-only access to investigate the problem may not be sufficient or effective, as the programmer may need to perform actions or tests that require write or execute permissions. Read-only access means that the user can only view or copy data or files, but cannot modify or delete them.

Reviewing activity logs the following day and investigating any suspicious activity may not prevent or detect any unauthorized or malicious actions by the programmer in real time. Activity logs are records of events and actions that occur within a system or network. Activity logs can provide evidence and accountability for system activities, but they are not proactive or preventive controls.

Therefore, giving the programmer an emergency ID for temporary access and reviewing the activity is the best course of action, as it allows the programmer to access the live system and resolve the problem quickly, while also ensuring that the security administrator can monitor and verify the programmer’s activity and revoke the access when it is no longer needed. An emergency ID is a temporary account that grants a user elevated privileges or access to a system or resource for a specific purpose and duration. An emergency ID should be:

Created and authorized by a security administrator or manager

Assigned to a specific user and purpose

Limited in scope and time

Logged and audited

Revoked and deleted after use

Some of the best practices for emergency access to live systems are12:

Establish clear policies and procedures for requesting, approving, granting, monitoring, reviewing, and revoking emergency access

Define criteria and scenarios for emergency access, such as severity, impact, urgency, and risk

Implement controls to prevent unauthorized or unnecessary use of emergency access, such as multifactor authentication, approval workflows, alerts, notifications, and time restrictions

Implement controls to track and audit emergency access activities, such as logging, reporting, analysis, and investigation

Implement controls to ensure accountability and responsibility for emergency access users, such as attestation, justification, documentation, and feedback

The most important factor to ensure when developing an effective security awareness program is B. Outcome metrics for the program are established. This is because outcome metrics are measures that evaluate the impact and results of the security awareness program on the behavior and performance of the users, and the security posture and objectives of the organization1. Outcome metrics can help ensure the effectiveness of the security awareness program by:

Providing feedback and evidence on whether the security awareness program is achieving its goals and expectations, such as reducing the number of incidents, improving the compliance rate, or increasing the reporting rate1.

Identifying and quantifying the strengths and weaknesses of the security awareness program, and enabling continuous improvement and optimization of the program content, delivery, and frequency1.

Demonstrating and communicating the value and return on investment of the security awareness program to the stakeholders and management, and securing their support and commitment for the program1.

The most important thing to include in security awareness training is how to respond to various types of suspicious activity. Security awareness training is a program that educates employees about the importance of security and how to avoid common threats and risks. One of the main objectives of security awareness training is to enable employees to recognize and report any signs of malicious or unauthorized activity, such as phishing emails, malware infections, data breaches, or social engineering attempts. By teaching employees how to respond to various types of suspicious activity, security awareness training can help to prevent or mitigate the impact of security incidents, protect the organization’s assets and reputation, and comply with legal and regulatory requirements.

The other options are not as important as option A. The importance of complex passwords is a useful topic, but not the most important thing to include in security awareness training. Complex passwords are passwords that are hard to guess or crack by using a combination of letters, numbers, symbols, and cases. Complex passwords can help to protect user accounts and data from unauthorized access, but they are not sufficient to prevent all types of security incidents. Moreover, complex passwords may be difficult to remember or manage by users, and may require additional measures such as password managers or multi-factor authentication. Descriptions of the organization’s security infrastructure is a technical topic, but not the most important thing to include in security awareness training. Security infrastructure is the set of hardware, software, policies, and procedures that provide the foundation for the organization’s security posture and capabilities. Security infrastructure may include firewalls, antivirus software, encryption tools, access control systems, backup systems, etc. Descriptions of the organization’s security infrastructure may be relevant for some employees who are involved in security operations or administration, but they may not be necessary or understandable for all employees who need security awareness training. Contact information for the organization’s security team is a practical detail, but not the most important thing to include in security awareness training. Security team is the group of people who are responsible for planning, implementing, monitoring, and improving the organization’s security strategy and activities. Contact information for the organization’s security team may be useful for employees who need to report or escalate a security issue or request a security service or support. However, contact information for the organization’s security team is not enough to ensure that employees know how to respond to various types of suspicious activity. References: Security Awareness Training | SANS Security Awareness, Security Awareness Training | KnowBe4, Security Awareness Training Course (ISC)² | Coursera

A computer-assisted technique is the most helpful method for an IS auditor to determine whether duplicate vendor payments exist on a complex system with a high volume of transactions. A computer-assisted technique is a tool or procedure that can be used to perform audit tests or procedures on data stored in electronic form. Examples of computer-assisted techniques include data analysis software, query tools, scripting languages, and specialized audit software. A computer-assisted technique can help an IS auditor to identify and extract duplicate payments from a large data set, perform calculations and comparisons, and generate reports and summaries. A computer-assisted technique can also provide more accuracy, efficiency, and coverage than manual methods.

Stratified sampling, statistical sampling, and process walk-through are not as helpful as a computer-assisted technique for this purpose. Stratified sampling is a sampling method that divides the population into subgroups based on certain characteristics and selects samples from each subgroup. Statistical sampling is a sampling method that uses probability theory to determine the sample size and selection criteria. Process walk-through is a review technique that involves following a transaction or process from start to finish and observing the inputs, outputs, controls, and documentation. These methods may be useful for other audit objectives, but they are not as effective as a computer-assisted technique for detecting duplicate payments in a complex and high-volume system. References: ISACA Frameworks: Blueprints for Success, [ISACA Glossary of Terms]

When an IS auditor discovers a security weakness in the database configuration, the next course of action should be to identify existing mitigating controls. This involves assessing whether any controls are already in place to address the weakness and mitigate the risk. Understanding the current state of controls helps the auditor determine the severity of the issue and whether additional corrective actions are

 The best point in time to conduct a post-implementation review is after a full processing cycle. A post-implementation review is a process to evaluate whether the objectives of the project were met, how effective the project was managed, what benefits were realized, and what lessons were learned. A post-implementation review should be conducted after a full processing cycle, which is the period of time required for a system or process to complete all its functions and produce its outputs. This allows for a more accurate and comprehensive assessment of the project’s performance, outcomes, impacts, and issues.

The other options are not as good as option A. Conducting a post-implementation review immediately after deployment is too soon, because it does not allow enough time for the project’s product or service to operate in the real world and generate measurable results. Conducting a post-implementation review after the warranty period is too late, because it may miss some important feedback or opportunities for improvement that could have been addressed earlier. Conducting a post-implementation review prior to the annual performance review is irrelevant, because it does not align with the project’s life cycle or objectives. References: What is Post-Implementation Review in Project Management?, What Is the Post-Implementation Review (PIR) Process?, Post-implementation review in project management?

Operating system parameters are settings or values that affect the behavior or performance of the operating system1. Modifications to the operating system parameters may be necessary to improve the system functionality, security, or efficiency. However, such modifications may also introduce risks or errors that can affect the system stability, compatibility, or integrity. Therefore, modifications to the operating system parameters should be authorized and documented by the appropriate authority2.

A change control log is a record of all changes made to the system, including the date, time, description, reason, authorization, and impact of each change3. A change control log can help the IS auditor to verify whether modifications to the operating system parameters were authorized by comparing the log entries with the actual system settings and the change approval documents4.

The primary purpose of creating a simulated production environment with multiple vulnerable applications is D. To attract attackers in order to study their behavior. This is also known as a honeypot, which is a decoy system that mimics a real target and lures attackers into revealing their techniques, tools, and motives1. A honeypot can help the organization’s security team to improve their defense strategies, identify new threats, and collect digital evidence of cyberattacks1.

The recovery time objective (RTO) is the most important consideration when making a decision to invest in a hot site due to service criticality. The RTO is the maximum acceptable time that an IT service or process can be unavailable or disrupted before it causes significant damage to the business operations and objectives. A hot site is a fully equipped and operational backup facility that can be activated immediately in the event of a disaster or disruption. A hot site can help an organization achieve a very low RTO, as it can resume the service with minimal or no downtime. The maximum tolerable downtime (MTD) is the maximum acceptable time that an IT service or process can be unavailable or disrupted before it causes intolerable damage to the business operations and objectives. The MTD is usually longer than the RTO, as it represents the worst-case scenario. The recovery point objective (RPO) is the maximum acceptable amount of data loss that an IT service or process can tolerate in the event of a disaster or disruption. The RPO is measured in terms of time, such as hours or minutes, and indicates how frequently the data should be backed up or replicated. The mean time to repair (MTTR) is the average time that it takes to restore an IT service or process after a failure or disruption. The MTTR is a measure of the efficiency and effectiveness of the recovery process, but it does not reflect the service criticality or the business impact. References: IS Audit and Assurance Tools and Techniques, CISA Certification | Certified Information Systems Auditor | ISACA

Discovery sampling is a type of statistical sampling that’s used when the expected error rate in the population is very low1. This method is designed to discover at least one instance of an attribute or condition in a population1. It’s often used in auditing to uncover fraud or noncompliance with rules and regulations1.

References:

What are sampling methods and how do you choose the best one?

A full interruption test is the most realistic and reliable way to ensure that recovery time objectives (RTOs) are met for an organization’s disaster recovery plan (DRP). RTOs are the maximum amount of time that a business can tolerate being offline after a disaster. A full interruption test involves shutting down the primary site and switching over to the backup site, simulating a real disaster scenario. This test can measure the actual time it takes to restore the systems, applications, and functions that are critical for the business continuity. A full interruption test can also reveal any issues or gaps in the DRP that might affect the recovery process.

The other options are not as effective as a full interruption test for ensuring RTOs are met. A cyber resilience test is a type of DR test that focuses on the ability to withstand and recover from cyberattacks. It does not necessarily cover other types of disasters or test the entire DRP. A tabletop test is a low-impact DR test that involves a walkthrough of the DRP with the key stakeholders and staff. It does not involve any actual switching over or testing of the backup systems. A parallel test is a type of DR test that involves running the backup systems alongside the primary systems, without disrupting the normal operations. It does not measure the time it takes to switch over or resume operations at the backup site.

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Best Practices For Disaster Recovery Testing

Disaster recovery testing

Disaster Recovery Testing: Everything to Know

A business continuity plan (BCP) is a document that outlines how an organization will continue its critical functions in the event of a disruption or disaster. A BCP should include the following elements1:

Business impact analysis: This is the process of identifying and prioritizing the key business processes and assets that are essential for the organization’s survival and recovery.

Risk assessment: This is the process of identifying and evaluating the potential threats and vulnerabilities that could affect the organization’s business continuity.

Recovery strategies: These are the actions and procedures that the organization will implement to restore its normal operations as quickly and effectively as possible after a disruption or disaster.