CISM Isaca Certified Information Security Manager Free Practice Exam Questions (2025 Updated)

Inherent risk is the risk that exists before any controls are applied. It is influenced by factors such as the nature, value, sensitivity, and exposure of the information asset. Business criticality is one of the most important factors that affect the inherent risk of an information asset, as it reflects how essential the asset is for the organization’s operations and objectives. The higher the business criticality, the higher the inherent risk. Risk tolerance, NPV, and ROI are not directly related to the inherent risk of an information asset, as they are more relevant for the risk assessment and risk treatment processes. References = CISM Review Manual, 16th Edition, page 971

Business criticality is the degree to which an asset is essential to the success of the business and the extent to which its loss or compromise could have a significant impact on the business. Business criticality is one of the main factors that help to determine the inherent risk of an asset, as assets that are more critical to the business tend to have a higher inherent risk.

= The most important reason to ensure information security is aligned with the organization’s strategy is to optimize security risk management. Information security is not an isolated function, but rather an integral part of the organization’s overall objectives, processes, and governance. By aligning information security with the organization’s strategy, the information security manager can ensure that security risks are identified, assessed, treated, and monitored in a consistent, effective, and efficient manner1. Alignment also enables the information security manager to communicate the value and benefits of information security to senior management and other stakeholders, and to justify the allocation of resources and investments for security initiatives2. Alignment also helps to establish clear roles and responsibilities for information security across the organization, and to foster a culture of security awareness and accountability3. Therefore, alignment is essential for optimizing security risk management, which is the process of balancing the protection of information assets with the business objectives and risk appetite of the organization4. References = 1: CISM Exam Content Outline | CISM Certification | ISACA 2: CISM_Review_Manual Pages 1-30 - Flip PDF Download | FlipHTML5 3: CISM 2020: Information Security & Business Process Alignment 4: CISM Review Manual 15th Edition, Chapter 2, Section 2.1

The eradication phase of an incident response plan is where the root cause of the incident is determined and eliminated. This phase involves identifying and removing all traces of the malicious activity from the affected systems and restoring them to a secure state.

References = NIST SP 800-61 Revision 2, CISM Review Manual 15th Edition

The best course of action for an information security manager when a threat intelligence report indicates a large number of ransomware attacks targeting the industry is to assess the risk to the organization. This means evaluating the likelihood and impact of a potential ransomware attack on the organization’s assets, operations, and reputation, based on the current threat landscape, the organization’s security posture, and the effectiveness of the existing security controls. A risk assessment can help the information security manager prioritize the most critical assets and processes, identify the gaps and weaknesses in the security architecture, and determine the appropriate risk response strategies, such as avoidance, mitigation, transfer, or acceptance. A risk assessment can also provide a business case for requesting additional resources or support from senior management to improve the organization’s security resilience and readiness. The other options are not the best course of action because they are either too reactive or too narrow in scope. Increasing the frequency of system backups (A) is a good practice to ensure data availability and recovery in case of a ransomware attack, but it does not address the prevention or detection of the attack, nor does it consider the potential data breach or extortion that may accompany the attack. Reviewing the mitigating security controls (B) is a part of the risk assessment process, but it is not sufficient by itself. The information security manager should also consider the threat sources, the vulnerabilities, the impact, and the risk appetite of the organization. Notifying staff members of the threat © is a useful awareness and education measure, but it should be done after the risk assessment and in conjunction with other security policies and procedures. Staff members should be informed of the potential risks, the indicators of compromise, the reporting mechanisms, and the best practices to avoid or respond to a ransomware attack. References = CISM Review Manual 2022, pages 77-78, 81-82, 316; CISM Item Development Guide 2022, page 9; #StopRansomware Guide | CISA; [The Human Consequences of Ransomware Attacks - ISACA]; [Ransomware Response, Safeguards and Countermeasures - ISACA]

The information owner is the person who has the authority and responsibility for the information asset and its protection. The information security manager should contact the information owner as soon as possible after the incident has been confirmed, to inform them of the incident, its impact, and the actions taken or planned to resolve it. The information owner may also need to be involved in the decision-making process regarding the incident response and recovery. (From CISM Review Manual 15th Edition)

 According to the CISM Review Manual, one of the best ways to contain an SQL injection attack that has been detected by a web application firewall is to reconfigure the web application firewall to block the attack. This means that the web application firewall should be updated with the latest detection patterns and rules that can identify and prevent SQL injection attacks. By doing so, the web application firewall can reduce the impact and damage of the attack, and prevent further exploitation of the vulnerable database1

The other options are not as effective as reconfiguring the web application firewall to block the attack. Force password changes on the SQL database is a reactive measure that does not address the root cause of the problem, and may cause data loss or corruption if not done properly. Updating the detection patterns on the web application firewall is a preventive measure that can help to detect SQL injection attacks, but it does not stop them from happening in the first place. Blocking IPs from where the attack originates is a defensive measure that can limit or stop some SQL injection attacks, but it does not protect all possible sources of malicious traffic, and may also affect legitimate users or applications1

References = 1: CISM Review Manual, 16th Edition, ISACA, 2020, pp. 32-33…

The business owner is the most appropriate person to own the risk associated with the failure of a privileged access control because they are ultimately responsible for the protection and use of the information in their business unit1. The data owner is responsible for determining the access rights for specific data sets, but not for the access control mechanisms2. The information security manager is responsible for implementing and enforcing the security policies and standards, but not for owning the risk3. The compliance manager is responsible for ensuring that the organization meets the regulatory requirements, but not for owning the risk3. References: 1 https://www.cyberark.com/resources/blog/how-do-you-prioritize-risk-for-privileged-access-management 3 https://www.isaca.org/resources/isaca-journal/issues/2017/volume-1/capability-framework-for-privileged-access-management 2 https://security.stackexchange.com/questions/218049/what-is-the-difference-between-data-owner-data-custodian-and-system-owner

The underlying reason for the user error is the most important factor to determine during the post-incident review, as this helps the information security manager to understand the root cause of the breach, and to implement corrective and preventive actions to avoid similar incidents in the future. The underlying reason for the user error may be related to the lack of training, awareness, guidance, or motivation of the user, or to the complexity, usability, or design of the system or process that the user was using. By identifying the underlying reason for the user error, the information security manager can address the human factor of the information security program, and improve the security culture and behavior of the organization. The time and location that the breach occurred, evidence of previous incidents caused by the user, and appropriate disciplinary procedures for user error are not the most important factors to determine during the post-incident review, as they do not provide a comprehensive and holistic understanding of the breach, and may not help to prevent or reduce the likelihood or impact of future incidents. References = CISM Review Manual 2023, page 1671; CISM Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Manual 2023, page 382; ISACA CISM - iSecPrep, page 233

The primary objective of timely declaration of a disaster is to ensure the continuity of the organization’s essential services, which are the services that are critical for the survival and operation of the organization, and that cannot be interrupted or delayed without causing severe consequences. By declaring a disaster, the organization can activate its disaster recovery plan (DRP), which is a set of documented procedures and resources to recover the essential services in the event of a disaster. The DRP should include the roles and responsibilities, the communication channels, the recovery strategies, the backup and restoration procedures, and the testing and maintenance activities for the disaster recovery process1.

References = CISM Review Manual, 16th Edition eBook2, Chapter 9: Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery, Section: Disaster Recovery Planning, Subsection: Disaster Declaration, Page 372.

The explanation given in the manual is:

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

According to the Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) Study Manual, risk owners are responsible for managing a risk, including taking corrective action to reduce the risk to an acceptable level. When implementing controls, it is essential to obtain input from risk owners to ensure that the controls are effective in managing the risk to an acceptable level.

By obtaining input from risk owners, the organization can ensure that the controls are tailored to the specific risks and are effective in reducing the risk to an acceptable level. This can help to minimize the impact of the risk on the organization and reduce the potential for financial or reputational damage.

A standardized security control is a set of rules, guidelines, or best practices that are designed to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information assets and systems. An information security framework is a collection of standardized security controls that are aligned with the organization’s objectives, strategy, and risk appetite. Adopting an information security framework provides a primary benefit of ensuring consistency, efficiency, and effectiveness in the implementation and management of information security across the organization.

References = CISM Review Manual 2022, page 321; CISM Exam Content Outline, Domain 1, Knowledge Statement 1.22; What is an Information Security Framework?; Information Security Frameworks: What Are They and Why Do You Need One?

 Strengthening endpoint security is the most immediate focus when shifting to a work-from-home model with an increased need for remote access security, as this reduces the risk of unauthorized access, data leakage, malware infection, and other threats that may compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the organization’s information assets. Moving to a zero trust access model, enabling network-level authentication, and enhancing cyber response capability are also important, but not as urgent as strengthening endpoint security, as they require more time, resources, and planning to implement effectively. References = CISM Review Manual 2023, page 1561; CISM Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Manual 2023, page 302; ISACA CISM - iSecPrep, page 153

The most important issue in a penetration test is having a defined goal as well as success and failure criteria. A penetration test is a simulated cyber attack against a computer system or an application to check for exploitable vulnerabilities. The goal of a penetration test is to identify and evaluate the security risks and weaknesses of the target system or application, and to provide recommendations for improvement. The success and failure criteria of a penetration test are the metrics and indicators that measure the effectiveness and efficiency of the test, and the extent to which the test achieves its goal. By having a defined goal as well as success and failure criteria, the penetration tester can plan and execute the test in a systematic and structured manner, and can communicate and report the results and findings in a clear and concise way. The other options are not the most important issue in a penetration test, although they may be some factors or considerations that affect the test. Having an independent group perform the test is a desirable practice, as it can provide an unbiased and objective assessment of the target system or application. However, it is not essential, as long as the penetration tester follows ethical hacking principles and standards. Obtaining permission from audit is a mandatory requirement, as it ensures that the penetration test is authorized and compliant with the organization’s policies and regulations. However, it is not an issue, as it is a prerequisite for conducting the test. Performing the test without the benefit of any insider knowledge is an optional approach, as it simulates a real-world attack by an external hacker who does not have access to the internal design or configuration of the target system or application. However, it is not always feasible or effective, as some vulnerabilities may be hidden or inaccessible from an outsider’s perspective.

The Information Security Manager's primary responsibility is to ensure that the organization's information assets are adequately protected. In this scenario, there is a conflict between the approved mobile access policy and industry best practices. Developing security standards based on a flawed policy could lead to significant security vulnerabilities.

Why the other options are not the best course of action:

A. Align the standards with the organizational policy: This would perpetuate the misalignment with best practices, potentially leaving the organization exposed to risks.

B. Align the standards with industry best practices: While this is ideal from a security perspective, it directly contradicts the approved policy, which could create operational and compliance issues.

D. Perform a cost-benefit analysis of aligning the standards to policy: A cost-benefit analysis might be useful at some point, but it does not address the fundamental issue of a policy that is not in line with best practices.

Key CISM Principles Reflected:

Alignment with Organizational Objectives: Security standards and policies should support and enable the organization's business objectives.

Risk Management: Identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks are essential elements of information security management.

Governance: Effective governance ensures that information security activities are aligned with the organization's strategies and objectives.

In summary: The Information Security Manager should proactively engage senior management to highlight the discrepancy between the approved policy and industry best practices. The goal is to revise the policy to ensure it adequately addresses security risks while supporting the organization's objectives. Once the policy is aligned with best practices, the security standards can be developed accordingly.

According to the CISM Review Manual, a business impact analysis (BIA) is the most useful tool when determining the business continuity strategy for a large organization’s data center, as it helps to identify and prioritize the critical business processes and resources that depend on the data center, and the impact of their disruption or loss. A BIA also provides the basis for defining the recovery time objectives (RTOs) and recovery point objectives (RPOs) for the data center, which guide the selection of the appropriate business continuity strategy.

References = CISM Review Manual, 27th Edition, Chapter 3, Section 3.5.2, page 1511.

Zero Trust requires granular authentication and authorization at every critical juncture. It assumes no implicit trust within the network and enforces strict access control.

“Zero Trust is based on continuous authentication and authorization at all strategic control points.”

— CISM Review Manual 15th Edition, Chapter 3: Security Architecture, Section: Zero Trust Principles*

The most important consideration when establishing information security policies for an organization is to ensure that senior management supports the policies. Senior management support is essential for the successful implementation and enforcement of information security policies, as it demonstrates the commitment and accountability of the organization’s leadership to information security. Senior management support also helps to allocate adequate resources, establish clear roles and responsibilities, and promote a security-aware culture within the organization. Without senior management support, information security policies may not be aligned with the organization’s goals and objectives, may not be communicated and disseminated effectively, and may not be followed or enforced consistently.

Job descriptions that include requirements to read security policies are a way of ensuring that employees are aware of their security obligations, but they are not the most important consideration when establishing information security policies. The policies should be relevant and applicable to the employees’ roles and functions, and should be reinforced by regular training and awareness programs.

The policies should be updated periodically to reflect the changes in the organization’s environment, risks, and requirements, but updating them annually may not be sufficient or necessary. The frequency of updating the policies should depend on the nature and impact of the changes, and should be determined by a defined policy review process.

The policies should be aligned with industry best practices, standards, and frameworks, but this is not the most important consideration when establishing information security policies. The policies should also be customized and tailored to the organization’s specific context, needs, and expectations, and should be consistent with the organization’s vision, mission, and values. References =

ISACA, CISM Review Manual, 16th Edition, 2020, pages 37-38.

ISACA, CISM Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Database, 12th Edition, 2020, question ID 1009.

 Key risk indicators (KRIs) are metrics that measure the level of risk exposure and the likelihood of occurrence of potential adverse events that can affect the organization’s objectives and performance. KRIs are used to monitor changes in the risk environment and to provide early warning signals for potential issues that may require management attention or intervention. KRIs are also used to communicate the risk status and trends to the relevant stakeholders and to support risk-based decision making12.

The primary reason to monitor KRIs related to information security is to alert on unacceptable risk. Unacceptable risk is the level of risk that exceeds the organization’s risk appetite, tolerance, or threshold, and that poses a significant threat to the organization’s assets, operations, reputation, or compliance. Unacceptable risk can result from internal or external factors, such as cyberattacks, data breaches, system failures, human errors, fraud, natural disasters, or regulatory changes. Unacceptable risk can have severe consequences for the organization, such as financial losses, legal liabilities, operational disruptions, customer dissatisfaction, or reputational damage12.

By monitoring KRIs related to information security, the organization can identify and assess the sources, causes, and impacts of unacceptable risk, and take timely and appropriate actions to mitigate, transfer, avoid, or accept the risk. Monitoring KRIs can also help the organization to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the existing information security controls, policies, and procedures, and to identify and implement any necessary improvements or enhancements. Monitoring KRIs can also help the organization to align its information security strategy and objectives with its business strategy and objectives, and to ensure compliance with the relevant laws, regulations, standards, and best practices12.

While monitoring KRIs related to information security can also serve other purposes, such as identifying residual risk, reassessing risk appetite, or benchmarking control performance, these are not the primary reason for monitoring KRIs. Residual risk is the level of risk that remains after applying the risk treatment options, and it should be within the organization’s risk appetite, tolerance, or threshold. Reassessing risk appetite is the process of reviewing and adjusting the amount and type of risk that the organization is willing to take in pursuit of its objectives, and it should be done periodically or when there are significant changes in the internal or external environment. Benchmarking control performance is the process of comparing the organization’s information security controls with those of other organizations or industry standards, and it should be done to identify and adopt the best practices or to demonstrate compliance12. References = Integrating KRIs and KPIs for Effective Technology Risk Management, The Power of KRIs in Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) - Metricstream, What Is a Key Risk Indicator? With Characteristics and Tips, KRI Framework for Operational Risk Management | Workiva, Key risk indicator - Wikipedia

Conducting a business impact analysis (BIA) is the first step when creating an organization’s disaster recovery plan (DRP) because it helps to identify and prioritize the critical business functions or processes that need to be restored after a disruption, and determine their recovery time objectives (RTOs) and recovery point objectives (RPOs)2. Identifying the response and recovery teams is not the first step, but rather a subsequent step that involves assigning roles and responsibilities for executing the DRP. Reviewing the communications plan is not the first step, but rather a subsequent step that involves defining the communication channels and protocols for notifying and updating the stakeholders during and after a disruption. Developing response and recovery strategies is not the first step, but rather a subsequent step that involves selecting and implementing the appropriate solutions and procedures for restoring the critical business functions or processes. References: 2 https://www.isaca.org/resources/isaca-journal/issues/2018/volume-3/business-impact-analysis-bia-and-disaster-recovery-planning-drp

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

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

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

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

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

Key risk indicators (KRIs) are the most useful to include in an information security status report for management because they measure and report the level of risk exposure or performance against predefined risk thresholds or targets, and alert management of any deviations or issues that may require attention or action. List of recent security events is not very useful to include in an information security status report for management because it does not provide any analysis or evaluation of the events or their impact on the organization’s objectives or performance. Review of information security policies is not very useful to include in an information security status report for management because it does not reflect any progress or results of implementing or enforcing the policies. Information security budget requests are not very useful to include in an information security status report for management because they do not indicate any value or benefit of investing in information security initiatives or controls. References: https://www.isaca.org/resources/isaca-journal/issues/2016/volume-6/how-to-measure-the-effectiveness-of-information-security-using-iso-27004

The best reason to conduct a social engineering test in a call center is to identify candidates for additional security training because it helps to assess the level of awareness and skills of the call center staff in recognizing and resisting social engineering attacks, and provide them with the necessary training or education to improve their security posture. Minimizing the likelihood of successful attacks is not a reason to conduct a social engineering test, but rather a possible outcome or benefit of conducting such a test. Gaining funding for information security initiatives is not a reason to conduct a social engineering test, but rather a possible outcome or benefit of conducting such a test. Improving password policy is not a reason to conduct a social engineering test, but rather a possible outcome or benefit of conducting such a test. References: https://www.isaca.org/resources/isaca-journal/issues/2017/volume-6/the-value-of-penetration-testing https://www.isaca.org/resources/isaca-journal/issues/2016/volume-5/security-scanning-versus-penetration-testing

 A controls audit is the best indicator of an organization’s information security status, as it provides an independent and objective assessment of the design, implementation, and effectiveness of the information security controls. A controls audit can also identify the strengths and weaknesses of the information security program, as well as the compliance with the policies, standards, and regulations. A controls audit can cover various aspects of information security, such as governance, risk management, incident management, business continuity, and technical security. A controls audit can be conducted by internal or external auditors, depending on the scope, purpose, and frequency of the audit.

The other options are not as good as a controls audit, as they do not provide a comprehensive and holistic view of the information security status. Intrusion detection log analysis is a technique to monitor and analyze the network or system activities for signs of unauthorized or malicious access or attacks. It can help to detect and respond to security incidents, but it does not measure the overall performance or maturity of the information security program. Threat analysis is a process to identify and evaluate the potential sources, methods, and impacts of threats to the information assets. It can help to prioritize and mitigate the risks, but it does not verify the adequacy or functionality of the information security controls. Penetration test is a simulated attack on the network or system to evaluate the vulnerability and exploitability of the information security defenses. It can help to validate and improve the technical security, but it does not assess the non-technical aspects of information security, such as governance, policies, or awareness. References =

CISM Review Manual, 16th Edition, ISACA, 2022, pp. 211-212, 215-216, 233-234, 237-238.

CISM Questions, Answers & Explanations Database, ISACA, 2022, QID 1012.

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The most important consideration when developing key performance indicators (KPIs) for the information security program is B. Alignment with business initiatives. This is because KPIs are measurable values that demonstrate how effectively the information security program is achieving its objectives and delivering value to the organization. KPIs should be aligned with the business initiatives, such as the strategic goals, the mission, the vision, and the values of the organization, and support the achievement of the desired outcomes and benefits. KPIs should also reflect the needs, expectations, and challenges of the business stakeholders, and provide relevant, meaningful, and actionable information for decision making and improvement. KPIs should not be too technical, complex, or ambiguous, but rather focus on the key aspects of information security performance, such as risk, compliance, maturity, value, and effectiveness.

KPIs are measurable values that demonstrate how effectively the information security program is achieving its objectives and delivering value to the organization. KPIs should be aligned with the business initiatives, such as the strategic goals, the mission, the vision, and the values of the organization, and support the achievement of the desired outcomes and benefits. (From CISM Manual or related resources)

References = CISM Review Manual 15th Edition, Chapter 1, Section 1.3.2, page 281; CISM Domain – Information Security Program Development | Infosec2; KPIs in Information Security: The 10 Most Important Security Metrics3

 The best way to test for the existence of backdoors in a mission-critical business application that was outsourced to a third-party developer is to perform security code reviews on the entire application. A backdoor is a hidden or undocumented feature or function in a software application that allows unauthorized or remote access, control, or manipulation of the application or the system it runs on. Backdoors can be intentionally or unintentionally introduced by the developers, or maliciously inserted by the attackers, and they can pose serious security risks and threats to the organization and its data. Security code reviews are the process of examining and analyzing the source code of a software application to identify and eliminate any security vulnerabilities, flaws, or weaknesses, such as backdoors, that may compromise the functionality, performance, or integrity of the application or the system. Security code reviews can be performed manually by the security experts, or automatically by the security tools, or both, and they can be done at different stages of the software development life cycle, such as design, coding, testing, or deployment. Security code reviews can help to detect and remove any backdoors in the application before they can be exploited by the attackers, and they can also help to improve the quality, reliability, and security of the application.

References = CISM Review Manual, 16th Edition, Chapter 3: Information Security Program Development and Management, Section: Information Security Program Development, page 1581; CISM Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Manual, 10th Edition, Question 87, page 812; CISM ITEM DEVELOPMENT GUIDE, page 63.

 A business-aligned information security program is one that supports the organization’s business objectives and aligns the information security strategy with the business functions. A business impact analysis (BIA) is a process that identifies the critical business processes, assets, and functions of an organization, and assesses their potential impact in the event of a disruption or loss. A BIA helps to prioritize the information security requirements and controls that are needed to protect the organization’s critical assets and functions from various threats and risks. Therefore, a BIA is one of the most useful sources when planning a business-aligned information security program. References = CISM Review Manual 15th Edition, page 254; CISM Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Database - 12 Month Subscription, QID 229.

The most useful source when planning a business-aligned information security program is a Business Impact Analysis (BIA). A BIA is a process of identifying and evaluating the potential effects of disruptions to an organization's operations, and helps to identify the security controls and measures that should be implemented to reduce the impact of those disruptions. The BIA should include an assessment of the organization's information security posture, including its security policies, risk register, and enterprise architecture. With this information, organizations can develop an information security program that is aligned to the organization's business objectives.

A business impact analysis (BIA) is a process that identifies and evaluates the potential effects of disruptions to critical business operations as a result of a disaster, accident or emergency. The primary purpose of a BIA is to determine the criticality of information assets and the impact of their unavailability on the organization’s mission, objectives and reputation. (From CISM Review Manual 15th Edition)

Communication is a key factor for the effectiveness of cybersecurity incident response, as it ensures that all relevant parties are informed, coordinated, and aligned on the incident status, impact, actions, and responsibilities. Communication also helps to maintain trust, confidence, and transparency among the stakeholders, such as senior management, business units, customers, regulators, law enforcement, and media. References = CISM Review Manual, 16th Edition, Chapter 5, Section 5.4.2.11

After an intrusion has been detected and contained, the system should be recovered to a known and trusted state. The best practice for ensuring the integrity of the recovered system is to install the OS, patches, and application from the original source, such as the vendor’s website or media. This way, any malicious code or backdoors that may have been inserted by the intruder can be eliminated. Restoring the OS, patches, and application from a backup may not guarantee the integrity of the system, as the backup may have been compromised or outdated. Restoring the application and data from a forensic copy may preserve the evidence of the intrusion, but it may also reintroduce the vulnerability or malware that allowed the intrusion in the first place. Removing all signs of the intrusion from the OS and application may not be sufficient or feasible, as the intruder may have made subtle or hidden changes that are difficult to detect or undo.

References =

ISACA, CISM Review Manual, 16th Edition, 2020, page 2401

ISACA, CISM Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Database - 12 Month Subscription, 2020, question ID 2132

The BEST practice for ensuring the integrity of the recovered system after an intrusion is to restore the OS, patches, and application from a backup. This will ensure that the system is in a known good state, without any potential residual malicious code or changes from the intrusion. Restoring from a backup also enables the organization to revert to a previous configuration that has been tested and known to be secure. This step should be taken prior to conducting a thorough investigation and forensic analysis to determine the cause and extent of the intrusion.

Laws and regulations provide the most useful input to determine the organization’s information security strategy because they define the legal and compliance requirements and obligations that the organization must adhere to, and guide the development and implementation of the security policies and controls that support them. Security budget is not a useful input to determine the organization’s information security strategy because it does not reflect the organization’s security needs or goals, but rather a resource to enable the security activities and initiatives. Risk register is not a useful input to determine the organization’s information security strategy because it does not reflect the organization’s security vision or mission, but rather a tool to identify and manage the security risks. Risk score is not a useful input to determine the organization’s information security strategy because it does not reflect the organization’s security priorities or objectives, but rather a measure of the level of risk exposure or performance. References: https://www.isaca.org/resources/isaca-journal/issues/2016/volume-4/technical-security-standards-for-information-systems https://www.isaca.org/resources/isaca-journal/issues/2017/volume-2/how-to-align-security-initiatives-with-business-goals-and-objectives