Isaca CISA Online Practice Questions and Exam Preparation

Isaca CISA Online Questions & Answers

• Question 1641:

  Which of the following is the MOST reliable way for an IS auditor to evaluate the operational effectiveness of an organization's data loss prevention (DLP) controls?

  A. Review data classification levels based on industry best practice
  B. Verify that current DLP software is installed on all computer systems.
  C. Conduct interviews to identify possible data protection vulnerabilities.
  D. Verify that confidential files cannot be transmitted to a personal USB device.
  D. Verify that confidential files cannot be transmitted to a personal USB device.

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  Explanation

  The most reliable way for an IS auditor to evaluate the operational effectiveness of an organization's data loss prevention (DLP) controls is to verify that confidential files cannot be transmitted to a personal USB device. This is because DLP controls are designed to prevent the loss, leakage or misuse of sensitive data through breaches, ex-filtration transmissions and unauthorized use1. A personal USB device is a common way for data to be stolen or compromised, as it can bypass network security measures and allow unauthorized access to confidential files. Therefore, testing the DLP controls by attempting to copy or transfer confidential files to a personal USB device can provide a direct and objective evidence of whether the DLP controls are working as intended or not. The other options are less reliable ways for an IS auditor to evaluate the operational effectiveness of an organization's DLP controls. Reviewing data classification levels based on industry best practice is a way to assess the adequacy of the organization's data protection policies, but it does not measure how well the DLP controls are implemented or enforced in practice. Verifying that current DLP software is installed on all computer systems is a way to check the technical configuration of the DLP solution, but it does not test how well the DLP software detects and prevents data loss incidents in real scenarios. Conducting interviews to identify possible data protection vulnerabilities is a way to gather qualitative information from stakeholders, but it does not provide quantitative or empirical data on the actual performance of the DLP controls.

  References: What is Data Loss Prevention (DLP)? [Guide] - CrowdStrike

• Question 1642:

  Which of the following is the MOST important outcome of an information security program?

  A. Operating system weaknesses are more easily identified.
  B. Emerging security technologies are better understood and accepted.
  C. The cost to mitigate information security risk is reduced.
  D. Organizational awareness of security responsibilities is improved.
  D. Organizational awareness of security responsibilities is improved.

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  Explanation

  The most important outcome of an information security program is to improve the organizational awareness of security responsibilities, as this will foster a culture of security and ensure that all stakeholders are aware of their roles and obligations in protecting the information assets of the organization. An information security program should also aim to achieve other outcomes, such as identifying operating system weaknesses, understanding and accepting emerging security technologies, and reducing the cost to mitigate information security risk, but these are not as important as improving the awareness of security responsibilities, which is the foundation of any effective information security program. *

  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." 1 One of the risk factors to consider is "the level of awareness of management and staff regarding IT risk management" 1. According to the ISACA IT Audit and Assurance Guideline G13 Information Security Management, "The objective of an information security management audit/assurance review is to provide management with an independent assessment relating to the effectiveness of information security management within the enterprise." The guideline also states that "the audit/assurance professional should evaluate whether there is an appropriate level of awareness throughout the enterprise regarding information security policies, standards, procedures and guidelines." According to a web search result from Microsoft Security, "Information security programs need to: ... Support the execution of decisions." 2 One of the ways to support the execution of decisions is to ensure that everyone in the organization understands their security responsibilities and follows the security policies and procedures.

• Question 1643:

  The BEST way to evaluate the effectiveness of a newly developed application is to:

  A. perform a post-implementation review-
  B. analyze load testing results.
  C. perform a secure code review.
  D. review acceptance testing results.
  D. review acceptance testing results.

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  Explanation

  The best way to evaluate the effectiveness of a newly developed application is to review acceptance testing results. Acceptance testing is a process of verifying that the application meets the specified requirements and expectations of the users and stakeholders. Acceptance testing results can provide evidence of the functionality, usability, reliability, performance, security and quality of the application. Performing a post- implementation review, analyzing load testing results, and performing a secure code review are also important activities for evaluating an application, but they are not as comprehensive or conclusive as acceptance testing results.

  References: Info Technology and Systems Resources | COBIT, Risk, Governance ... - ISACA, IT Governance and Process Maturity

• Question 1644:

  The waterfall life cycle model of software development is BEST suited for which of the following situations?

  A. The protect requirements are wall understood.
  B. The project is subject to time pressures.
  C. The project intends to apply an object-oriented design approach.
  D. The project will involve the use of new technology.
  A. The protect requirements are wall understood.

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  Explanation

  The waterfall life cycle model of software development is best suited for situations where the project requirements are well understood. The waterfall life cycle model is a sequential and linear approach to software development that consists of several phases, such as planning, analysis, design, implementation, testing, and maintenance. Each phase depends on the completion and approval of the previous phase before proceeding to the next phase. The waterfall life cycle model is best suited for situations where the project requirements are well understood, as it assumes that the requirements are clear, stable, and fixed at the beginning of the project, and do not change significantly throughout the project. The project is subject to time pressures is not a situation where the waterfall life cycle model of software development is best suited, as it may not be flexible or agile enough to accommodate changes or adjustments in the project schedule or timeline. The waterfall life cycle model may involve long delays or dependencies between phases, and may not allow for early feedback or delivery of software products. The project intends to apply an object-oriented design approach is not a situation where the waterfall life cycle model of software development is best suited, as it may not be compatible or effective with the object-oriented design approach. The object-oriented design approach is a technique that models software as a collection of interacting objects that have attributes and behaviors. The object-oriented design approach may require iterative and incremental development methods that allow for dynamic and adaptive changes in software design and functionality. The project will involve the use of new technology is not a situation where the waterfall life cycle model of software development is best suited, as it may not be able to cope with the uncertainty or complexity of new technology. The waterfall life cycle model may not allow for sufficient exploration or experimentation with new technology, and may not be able to handle changes or issues that arise from new technology.

• Question 1645:

  Following a recent acquisition, an information security manager has been requested the outstanding risk reported early in the acquisition process. Which of the following would be the manager's BEST course of action?

  A. Perform a vulnerability assessment of the acquired company's infrastructure.
  B. Re-evaluate the risk treatment plan for the outstanding risk.
  C. Re-assess the outstanding risk of the acquired company.
  D. Add the outstanding risk to the acquiring organization's risk registry
  C. Re-assess the outstanding risk of the acquired company.

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  Explanation

• Question 1646:

  Which of the following provides the BEST evidence of effective IT portfolio managements?

  A. IT portfolio updates are communicated when approved.
  B. Programs in the IT portfolio are prioritized by each business function.
  C. The IT portfolio is updated as business strategy changes.
  D. The IT portfolio is updated on the basis of current industry benchmarks.
  C. The IT portfolio is updated as business strategy changes.

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  Explanation

  Explanation

• Question 1647:

  Which of the following is MOST important in determining a project's feasibility?

  A. The organization's main competitor has initiated a similar project.
  B. The IT steering committee endorses the project.
  C. A project management methodology is established.
  D. The project's value is established in an approved business case.
  D. The project's value is established in an approved business case.

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  Explanation

• Question 1648:

  Which of the following would be MOST useful to an IS auditor when making recommendations to enable continual improvement of IT processes over time?

  A. Benchmarking studies
  B. Maturity model
  C. IT risk register
  D. IT incident log
  B. Maturity model

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  Explanation

• Question 1649:

  Which of the following is the GREATEST risk if two users have concurrent access to the same database record?

  A. Availability integrity
  B. Data integrity
  C. Entity integrity
  D. Referential integrity
  B. Data integrity

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  Explanation

  The greatest risk if two users have concurrent access to the same database record is data integrity. Data integrity is the property that ensures that the data is accurate, complete, consistent, and valid throughout its lifecycle. If two users have concurrent access to the same database record, they may modify or delete the data in a conflicting or inconsistent manner, resulting in data corruption, loss, or duplication. This can affect the reliability and quality of the data, and cause errors or anomalies in the database operations and functions. The IS auditor should verify that the database has adequate controls to prevent or resolve concurrent access issues, such as locking mechanisms, transaction isolation levels, concurrency control protocols, or timestamping methods.

  References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version)1, Chapter 5, Section 5.2.7

• Question 1650:

  Which of the following is the PRIMARY advantage of using virtualization technology for corporate applications?

  A. Stronger data security
  B. Better utilization of resources
  C. Increased application performance
  D. Improved disaster recovery
  B. Better utilization of resources

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  Explanation

  The primary advantage of using virtualization technology for corporate applications is to achieve better utilization of resources, such as hardware, software, network and storage. Virtualization technology allows multiple applications to run on a single physical server or device, which reduces the need for additional hardware and maintenance costs. Virtualization technology also enables dynamic allocation and reallocation of resources according to the demand and priority of the applications, which improves efficiency and flexibility. The other options are not the primary advantage of using virtualization technology, although they may be some of the benefits or challenges depending on the implementation and configuration.

  References: ISACA, CISA Review Manual, 27th Edition, chapter 4, section 4.21 ISACA, COBIT 2019 Framework: Introduction and Methodology, section 3.23