Isaca CISA Online Practice Questions and Exam Preparation

Isaca CISA Online Questions & Answers

• Question 301:

  Which of the following BEST facilitates strategic program management?

  A. Implementing stage gates
  B. Establishing a quality assurance (QA) process
  C. Aligning projects with business portfolios
  D. Tracking key project milestones
  C. Aligning projects with business portfolios

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  Explanation

  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: Program Management: The Key to Strategic Execution 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

• Question 302:

  Which of the following would be of MOST concern for an IS auditor evaluating the design of an organization's incident management processes?

  A. Service management standards are not followed.
  B. Expected time to resolve incidents is not specified.
  C. Metrics are not reported to senior management.
  D. Prioritization criteria are not defined.
  D. Prioritization criteria are not defined.

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  Explanation

  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

• Question 303:

  An IS auditor discovers that due to resource constraints a database administrator (DBA) is responsible for developing and executing changes into the production environment Which ot the following should the auditor do FIRSTS

  A. Determine whether another DBA could make the changes
  B. Report a potential segregation of duties violation
  C. identify whether any compensating controls exist
  D. Ensure a change management process is followed prior to implementation
  C. identify whether any compensating controls exist

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  Explanation

  A database administrator (DBA) is responsible for maintaining the integrity, security and performance of the database systems. A DBA who is also responsible for developing and executing changes into the production environment may have a conflict of interest and pose a risk to the data quality and availability. Therefore, the IS auditor should first identify whether any compensating controls exist to mitigate this risk, such as independent reviews, approvals, audits or monitoring of the changes. Determining whether another DBA could make the changes, reporting a potential segregation of duties violation and ensuring a change management process is followed prior to implementation are possible actions that the auditor could take after identifying the compensating controls or the lack thereof.

  References: : Database Administrator (DBA) Definition : Segregation of Duties | ISACA : [Compensating Control Definition]

• Question 304:

  During a software acquisition review, an IS auditor should recommend that there be a software escrow agreement when:

  A. the estimated life for the product is less than 3 years.
  B. the deliverables do not include the source code.
  C. the product is new in the market.
  D. there is no service level agreement (SLA).
  B. the deliverables do not include the source code.

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  Explanation

• Question 305:

  When evaluating an IT organizational structure, which of the following is MOST important to ensure has been documented?

  A. Human resources (HR) policy on organizational changes
  B. Provisions for cross-training
  C. Succession and promotion plans
  D. Job functions and duties
  C. Succession and promotion plans

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  Explanation

• Question 306:

  An organization was recently notified by its regulatory body of significant discrepancies in its reporting data. A preliminary investigation revealed that the discrepancies were caused by problems with the organization's data quality Management has directed the data quality team to enhance their program. The audit committee has asked internal audit to be advisors to the process. To ensure that management concerns are addressed, which data set should internal audit recommend be reviewed FIRST?

  A. Data with customer personal information
  B. Data reported to the regulatory body
  C. Data supporting financial statements
  D. Data impacting business objectives
  B. Data reported to the regulatory body

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  Explanation

  To ensure that management concerns are addressed, internal audit should recommend that the data quality team review the data reported to the regulatory body first. This is because this data set is the most relevant and critical to the issue that triggered the enhancement of the data quality program. The data reported to the regulatory body should be accurate, complete, consistent, and timely, as any discrepancies could result in fines, penalties, or reputational damage for the organization. Data with customer personal information is important for data quality, but it is not directly related to the regulatory reporting issue. Data supporting financial statements is important for data quality, but it may not be the same as the data reported to the regulatory body. Data impacting business objectives is important for data quality, but it may not be as urgent or sensitive as the data reported to the regulatory body.

  References: CISA Review Manual, 27th Edition, pages 404-4051 CISA Review Questions, Answers and Explanations Database, Question ID: 262

• Question 307:

  Which of the following is an example of shadow IT?

  A. An employee using a cloud based order management tool without approval from IT
  B. An employee using a company provided laptop to access personal banking information
  C. An employee using personal email to communicate with clients without approval from IT
  D. An employee using a company-provided tablet to access social media during work hours
  A. An employee using a cloud based order management tool without approval from IT

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  Explanation

  Explanation Shadow IT refers to the use of IT systems, devices, software, or services without explicit organizational approval. This often occurs when employees or departments adopt tools that bypass official IT governance structures. Using a Cloud-Based Order Management Tool Without Approval (Option A)is a clear example of shadow IT because the employee is circumventing established IT policies to implement a solution independently. Accessing Personal Banking Information on a Company-Provided Laptop (Option B)is a potential misuse of resources but does not qualify as shadow IT since it does not involve unauthorized technology. Using Personal Email for Client Communication (Option C)may violate communication policies but is not related to the adoption of unapproved IT systems. Accessing Social Media on a Company-Provided Tablet (Option D)is improper use of a company asset but does not involve unauthorized IT tools. Shadow IT introduces risks such as data breaches, lack of compliance, and inefficiencies due to lack of integration with official systems. Organizations should have clear policies and monitoring mechanisms to address such risks.

  ISACA CISA Review Manual, Job Practice Area 1: Governance and Management of IT.

• Question 308:

  Which of the following is MOST important for an organization to complete when planning a new marketing platform that targets advertising based on customer behavior?

  A. Data privacy impact assessment
  B. Data quality assessment
  C. Cross-border data transfer assessment
  D. Security vulnerability assessment
  A. Data privacy impact assessment

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  Explanation

• Question 309:

  Which of the following is MOST critical to the success of an information security program?

  A. Alignment of information security with IT objectives
  B. Management's commitment to information security
  C. Integration of business and information security
  D. User accountability for information security
  B. Management's commitment to information security

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  Explanation

  The correct answer is

  B. Management's commitment to information security. Management's commitment to information security is the most critical factor for the success of an information security program, as it provides the leadership,

  support, and resources needed to establish and maintain a secure environment. Management's commitment to information security can be demonstrated by:

  Setting the vision, mission, and goals for information security, and aligning them with the organization's strategies and objectives. Establishing and enforcing the policies, standards, and procedures for information security, and ensuring

  compliance with relevant laws and regulations. Allocating sufficient budget, staff, and technology for information security, and investing in training and awareness programs.

  Promoting a culture of security within the organization, and engaging with stakeholders and partners to foster trust and collaboration.

• Question 310:

  An IS auditor finds that the cost of developing an application is now projected to significantly exceed the budget. Which of the following is the GREATEST risk to communicate to senior management?

  A. Noncompliance with project methodology
  B. Inability to achieve expected benefits
  C. Increased staff turnover
  D. Project abandonment
  B. Inability to achieve expected benefits

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  Explanation