Isaca CISA Online Practice Questions and Exam Preparation

Isaca CISA Online Questions & Answers

• Question 1261:

  Capacity management enables organizations to:

  A. forecast technology trends
  B. establish the capacity of network communication links
  C. identify the extent to which components need to be upgraded
  D. determine business transaction volumes.
  C. identify the extent to which components need to be upgraded

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  Explanation

  Capacity management is a process that ensures that the IT resources of an organization are sufficient to meet the current and future demands of the business. Capacity management enables organizations to identify the extent to which components need to be upgraded, by monitoring and analyzing the performance, utilization, and availability of the IT components, such as servers, networks, storage, applications, etc., and identifying any bottlenecks, gaps, or risks that may affect the service level agreements (SLAs) or quality of service (QoS). Capacity management also helps organizations to plan and optimize the use of IT resources, by forecasting the future demand and growth of the business, and aligning the IT capacity with the business needs and objectives. Forecasting technology trends is a possible outcome of capacity management, but it is not its main purpose. Establishing the capacity of network communication links is a part of capacity management, but it is not its main goal. Determining business transaction volumes is an input for capacity management, but it is not its main objective.

• Question 1262:

  An organization recently implemented a cloud document storage solution and removed the ability for end users to save data to their local workstation hard drives. Which of the following findings should be the IS auditor's GREATEST concern?

  A. Users are not required to sign updated acceptable use agreements.
  B. Users have not been trained on the new system.
  C. The business continuity plan (BCP) was not updated.
  D. Mobile devices are not encrypted.
  C. The business continuity plan (BCP) was not updated.

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  Explanation

  This should be the IS auditor's greatest concern, because it means that the organization has not considered the potential impact of the cloud document storage solution on its ability to continue its operations in the event of a disruption or disaster. A BCP is a document that outlines the procedures and actions to be taken in order to maintain or resume critical business functions during and after a crisis. A BCP should be updated whenever there is a significant change in the organization's IT infrastructure, systems, processes, or dependencies, such as implementing a cloud document storage solution. The IS auditor should verify that the BCP reflects the current state of the organization's IT environment, and that it addresses the risks, challenges, and opportunities associated with the cloud document storage solution. The other options are not as concerning as the BCP not being updated: Users are not required to sign updated acceptable use agreements. This is a minor concern, but it does not pose a major threat to the organization's business continuity. Acceptable use agreements are documents that define the rules and guidelines for using IT resources, such as the cloud document storage solution. Users should sign updated acceptable use agreements to acknowledge their responsibilities and obligations, and to comply with the organization's policies and standards. However, this does not affect the organization's ability to continue its operations in a crisis. Users have not been trained on the new system. This is a moderate concern, but it does not jeopardize the organization's business continuity. Training users on the new system is important to ensure that they can use it effectively and efficiently, and to avoid errors or misuse that could compromise the security or performance of the system. However, this does not prevent the organization from accessing or restoring its data in a crisis. Mobile devices are not encrypted. This is a serious concern, but it does not directly impact the organization's business continuity. Encrypting mobile devices is a security measure that protects the data stored on them from unauthorized access or disclosure in case of loss or theft. However, this does not affect the availability or integrity of the data stored in the cloud document storage solution, which should have its own encryption mechanisms.

• Question 1263:

  An organization has assigned two now IS auditors to audit a now system implementation. One of the auditors has an IT-related degree, and one has a business degree. Which ol the following is MOST important to meet the IS audit standard for proficiency?

  A. The standard is met as long as one member has a globally recognized audit certification.
  B. Technical co-sourcing must be used to help the new staff.
  C. Team member assignments must be based on individual competencies.
  D. The standard is met as long as a supervisor reviews the new auditors' work.
  C. Team member assignments must be based on individual competencies.

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  Explanation

  Team member assignments based on individual competencies is the most important factor to meet the IS audit standard for proficiency. Proficiency is the ability to apply knowledge, skills and experience to perform audit tasks effectively and efficiently. The IS audit standard for proficiency requires that IS auditors must possess the knowledge, skills and discipline to perform audit tasks in accordance with applicable standards, guidelines and procedures. Team member assignments based on individual competencies is a way to ensure that each IS auditor is assigned to audit tasks that match their level of proficiency, and that the audit team as a whole has sufficient and appropriate proficiency to conduct the audit. The other options are not as important as option C, as they do not ensure that the IS auditors have the required proficiency to perform audit tasks. Having a globally recognized audit certification is a way to demonstrate proficiency in IS auditing, but it does not guarantee that the IS auditor has the specific knowledge, skills and experience needed for a particular audit task or system. Technical co-sourcing is a way to supplement the proficiency of the IS audit team by hiring external experts or consultants to perform certain audit tasks or functions, but it does not replace the need for internal IS auditors to have adequate proficiency. Having a supervisor review the new auditors' work is a way to ensure quality and accuracy of the audit work, but it does not ensure that the new auditors have the necessary proficiency to perform audit tasks independently or competently.

  References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version) , Chapter 1: Information Systems Auditing Process, Section 1.4: Audit Skills and Competencies.

• Question 1264:

  During an information security review, an IS auditor learns an organizational policy requires all employ-ees to attend information security training during the first week of each new year.

  What is the auditor's BEST recommendation to ensure employees hired after January receive adequate guid-ance regarding security awareness?

  A. Ensure new employees read and sign acknowledgment of the acceptable use policy.
  B. Revise the policy to include security training during onboarding.
  C. Revise the policy to require security training every six months for all employees.
  D. Require management of new employees to provide an overview of security awareness.
  B. Revise the policy to include security training during onboarding.

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  Explanation

  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.

• Question 1265:

  Segregation of duties would be compromised if:

  A. application programmers moved programs into production.
  B. application programmers accessed test data.
  C. database administrators (DBAs) modified the structure of user tables.
  D. operations staff modified batch schedules.
  B. application programmers accessed test data.

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  Explanation

• Question 1266:

  An IS auditor is reviewing enterprise governance and finds there is no defined organizational structure for technology risk governance. Which of the following is the GREATEST concern with this lack of structure?

  A. Software developers may adopt inappropriate technology.
  B. Project managers may accept technology risks exceeding the organization's risk appetite.
  C. Key decision-making entities for technology risk have not been identified
  D. There is no clear approval entity for organizational security standards.
  C. Key decision-making entities for technology risk have not been identified

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  Explanation

  The greatest concern with the lack of structure for technology risk governance is

  C. Key decision-making entities for technology risk have not been identified. Technology risk governance is the process of establishing and maintaining the

  policies, roles, responsibilities, and accountabilities for managing technology risks within an organization1. Technology risk governance requires a clear organizational structure that defines who has the authority and responsibility to make

  decisions, set objectives, allocate resources, monitor performance, and ensure compliance for technology risk management2. Without such a structure, an organization may face the following challenges:

  Lack of alignment and integration between technology and business strategies, leading to suboptimal outcomes and missed opportunities. Lack of clarity and consistency in technology risk identification, assessment, mitigation, and reporting,

  leading to gaps and overlaps in risk coverage and exposure. Lack of communication and collaboration among different stakeholders involved in technology risk management, leading to conflicts and inefficiencies. Lack of oversight and

  accountability for technology risk management activities and results, leading to poor quality and reliability.

• Question 1267:

  Which of the following is a PRIMARY benefit of using risk assessments to determine areas to be included in an audit plan?

  A. Timely audit execution
  B. Effective allocation of audit resources
  C. Reduced travel and expense costs
  D. Effective risk mitigation
  B. Effective allocation of audit resources

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  Explanation

  Using risk assessments to determine areas to be included in an audit plan is a primary benefit because it helps to prioritize the audit activities based on the level of risk and the potential impact of the audit findings. This way, the audit

  resources, such as time, staff, and budget, can be allocated more efficiently and effectively to the areas that need the most attention and provide the most value.

  References:

  ISACA CISA Review Manual, 27th Edition, page 256

  What is the Purpose of a Risk Assessment?

  Mastering the Process of Risk Assessment

• Question 1268:

  External audits have identified recurring exceptions in the user termination process, despite similar internal audits having reported no exceptions in the past. Which of the following is the IS auditor's BEST course of action to improve the internal audit process in the future?

  A. Include the user termination process in all upcoming audits.
  B. Review user termination process changes.
  C. Review the internal audit sampling methodology.
  D. Review control self-assessment (CSA) results.
  C. Review the internal audit sampling methodology.

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  Explanation

• Question 1269:

  Which of the following is the MOST efficient way to identify segregation of duties violations in a new system?

  A. Review a report of security rights in the system.
  B. Observe the performance of business processes.
  C. Develop a process to identify authorization conflicts.
  D. Examine recent system access rights violations.
  A. Review a report of security rights in the system.

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  Explanation

  The most efficient way to identify segregation of duties violations in a new system is to review a report of security rights in the system. Segregation of duties is a control principle that aims to prevent or detect errors, fraud, or abuse by ensuring that no single individual has the ability to perform incompatible or conflicting functions or activities within a system or process. A report of security rights in the system can provide a comprehensive and accurate overview of the roles, responsibilities, and access levels assigned to different users or groups in the system, and can help to identify any potential segregation of duties violations or risks. The other options are not as efficient as reviewing a report of security rights in the system, because they either rely on observation or testing rather than analysis, or they focus on existing rather than potential violations.

  References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version)1, Chapter 5, Section 5.2.2

• Question 1270:

  Which of the following issues associated with a data center's closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance cameras should be of MOST concern to an IS auditor?

  A. CCTV recordings are not regularly reviewed.
  B. CCTV cameras are not installed in break rooms
  C. CCTV records are deleted after one year.
  D. CCTV footage is not recorded 24 x 7.
  A. CCTV recordings are not regularly reviewed.

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  Explanation

  The most concerning issue associated with a data center's CCTV surveillance cameras is that the recordings are not regularly reviewed. This means that any unauthorized access, theft, vandalism, or other security incidents may go unnoticed and unreported. CCTV recordings are a valuable source of evidence and deterrence for data center security, and they should be monitored and audited periodically to ensure compliance with policies and regulations. If the recordings are not reviewed, the data center may face legal, financial, or reputational risks in case of a security breach or an audit failure. The other options are less concerning because they do not directly affect the security of the data center. CCTV cameras are not required to be installed in break rooms, as they are not critical areas for data protection. CCTV records can be deleted after one year, as long as they comply with the data retention policy of the organization and the applicable laws. CCTV footage does not need to be recorded 24 x 7, as long as there is sufficient coverage of the data center during operational hours and when access is granted to authorized personnel.

  References: ISACA Journal Article: Physical security of a data center1 Data Center Security: Checklist and Best Practices | Kisi2 Video Surveillance Best Practices | Taylored Systems