CISM Multiple Select — 30 Questions

Question 1

Which of the following are key components of an information security program? (Select TWO)

Accepted Answer

A set of security policies and standards. A set of security policies and standards is a key component because it establishes the governance framework that defines acceptable use, access control, and compliance requirements for the entire organization. Without documented policies and standards, the security program lacks the authoritative baseline to enforce controls or measure effectiveness. These documents are the foundation for all other security activities, including training, audits, and incident response.

Answer

A network architecture diagram

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An incident response log

Question 2

Which TWO of the following are primary objectives of information security governance? (Choose two.)

Accepted Answer

Align security strategy with business goals.. Option B is correct because information security governance's primary objective is to ensure that security strategy is aligned with business goals, enabling the organization to protect assets while supporting its mission. This alignment is achieved through governance frameworks like COBIT or ISO 38500, which mandate that security investments and controls are directly tied to business objectives, not isolated technical measures.

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Eliminate all information security risks.

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Maximize profitability through security investments.

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Achieve compliance with all applicable regulations.

Question 3

Which TWO of the following are best practices for preserving digital evidence during an incident? (Select exactly 2)

Accepted Answer

Create a forensic image of the hard drive using a write blocker. Creating a forensic image with a write blocker (Option A) is a best practice because it captures an exact bit-for-bit copy of the storage media without altering the original data. The write blocker intercepts write commands at the hardware or software level, ensuring the integrity of the evidence. This preserves the original state for later analysis and admissibility in legal proceedings.

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Interview witnesses before collecting data

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Run antivirus scans on the affected system

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Reboot the system to clear memory

Question 4

Which TWO of the following are key indicators of a potential insider threat incident? (Select exactly 2)

Accepted Answer

A user accessing large volumes of data not related to their job function. Option C is correct because a user accessing large volumes of data unrelated to their job function is a classic behavioral anomaly indicating potential data exfiltration. This pattern often precedes an insider threat incident, as the user may be collecting sensitive information for unauthorized purposes, such as selling it or using it for personal gain. Security information and event management (SIEM) systems typically flag such access based on deviations from baseline user behavior, triggering further investigation.

Answer

Multiple failed login attempts from an external IP address

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An increase in network traffic to a known malicious domain

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A user updating their password as required by policy

Question 5

Which TWO actions are appropriate during the containment phase of an incident involving a malware outbreak on multiple workstations?

Accepted Answer

Isolate infected workstations from the network. Option C is correct because isolating infected workstations from the network is a primary containment action that prevents the malware from spreading laterally to other systems, limiting the scope of the incident. This is typically achieved by disconnecting network cables, disabling switch ports, or using network access control (NAC) to quarantine the affected hosts, which stops further propagation without destroying forensic evidence.

Answer

Contact all users to warn them about the malware

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Reimage all affected workstations immediately

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Notify customers about potential data breach

Question 6

An organization is designing its information security program and needs to ensure it supports business continuity. Which TWO of the following should be integrated into the program?

Accepted Answer

Business impact analysis (BIA) results.. A is correct because the Business Impact Analysis (BIA) identifies critical business processes, their maximum tolerable downtime (MTD), and recovery time objectives (RTO), which directly inform the prioritization and design of security controls to ensure business continuity. Without BIA results, the security program cannot align recovery strategies with actual business needs, risking either over-investment or under-protection of key functions.

Answer

Security awareness training for all employees.

Answer

Vulnerability scanning schedules.

Question 7

A security manager is evaluating the effectiveness of the security program. Which of the following would be valid indicators of a mature program? (Select two.)

Accepted Answer

Risk management integrated into business processes. Risk management integrated into business processes (B) is a key indicator of a mature security program because it demonstrates that security is not a siloed function but is embedded in strategic decision-making, resource allocation, and operational workflows. This alignment ensures that security controls and investments are directly tied to business objectives and risk appetite, which is a hallmark of maturity as defined by frameworks like the CMMI and the ISACA CISM model.

Answer

Number of security tools deployed

Answer

Low number of security incidents

Question 8

Which TWO of the following are key components of an information security program governance structure? (Select TWO.)

Accepted Answer

A steering committee that includes senior management and business unit leaders.. A steering committee that includes senior management and business unit leaders is a key component of an information security program governance structure because it provides strategic oversight, aligns security initiatives with business objectives, and ensures accountability at the executive level. This committee typically authorizes policies, reviews risk appetite, and approves resource allocation, which are essential for effective governance.

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An incident response plan that defines roles and procedures.

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A vulnerability scanning schedule and remediation SLAs.

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A firewall policy that specifies allowed and denied traffic.

Question 9

An information security manager is designing a security program for a multinational organization. Which factors should be considered when developing the program governance structure? (Select 3)

Accepted Answer

Legal and regulatory requirements across jurisdictions. Legal and regulatory requirements across jurisdictions are foundational because a multinational organization must comply with diverse data protection laws (e.g., GDPR in Europe, CCPA in California, LGPD in Brazil) that directly dictate security controls, breach notification timelines, and data residency rules. The governance structure must incorporate these obligations to avoid legal penalties and ensure consistent policy enforcement across borders.

Answer

Current technology architecture

Question 10

Which TWO of the following are key responsibilities of an information security governance committee?

Accepted Answer

Approve major changes to information security policies.. The information security governance committee is a high-level body responsible for strategic oversight. Approving major changes to information security policies (Option C) is a core governance function, ensuring that policy updates align with business objectives and regulatory requirements before implementation. This is distinct from operational tasks like vulnerability assessments or daily monitoring.

Answer

Perform vulnerability assessments on critical systems.

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Set the organization's risk appetite.

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Conduct daily monitoring of security events.

Question 11

Which TWO of the following are key components of an effective incident response plan?

Accepted Answer

A clear chain of command and escalation procedures.. A clear chain of command and escalation procedures ensure that during an incident, decision-making authority and notification paths are predefined, reducing confusion and enabling rapid, coordinated response. This aligns with NIST SP 800-61 incident response guidelines, which emphasize the need for defined roles and communication hierarchies to avoid delays or missteps in critical situations.

Answer

Automatic detection and response tools.

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Predefined response scripts for every possible incident.

Question 12

Which TWO of the following are indicators of a potential security incident?

Accepted Answer

Multiple unexpected system reboots.. Multiple unexpected system reboots (B) are a strong indicator of a potential security incident because they may result from malware, kernel-level exploits, or denial-of-service attacks that crash the operating system. Unusual outbound network traffic from a server (E) often indicates data exfiltration, command-and-control (C2) communication, or a compromised service sending sensitive data to an external host. Both behaviors deviate from baseline operations and warrant immediate investigation under the Incident Management domain.

Answer

Low disk space on a file server.

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A new version of a critical software released.

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A successful login by an authorized user.

Question 13

Which of the following are key components of an Information Security Risk Management program? (Select TWO.)

Accepted Answer

Establishing a risk management framework. A is correct because establishing a risk management framework is the foundational component of an Information Security Risk Management program. It defines the policies, procedures, and governance structure for identifying, assessing, and treating risks, aligning with standards like ISO 31000 or NIST SP 800-39. Without a framework, risk management activities lack consistency and accountability.

Answer

Conducting vulnerability scanning

Answer

Performing internal audits

Question 14

Which of the following are key components of an information security risk management program? (Select TWO)

Accepted Answer

Risk assessment. Risk assessment is a core component of an information security risk management program because it systematically identifies, analyzes, and evaluates risks to information assets. It provides the foundational understanding of threats, vulnerabilities, and impacts necessary for informed decision-making. Without a formal risk assessment, the program lacks the data needed to prioritize and justify security investments.

Answer

Vulnerability scanning

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Incident response

Question 15

A security manager is presenting risk analysis results to the board. Which of the following should the manager include to effectively communicate risk? (Select THREE)

Accepted Answer

Monetary value of potential losses. Monetary value of potential losses (A) is correct because it translates technical risk into financial terms that board members understand, enabling informed decisions on resource allocation for risk mitigation. This aligns with the CISM focus on business-aligned risk communication, where quantitative metrics like Annualized Loss Expectancy (ALE) directly support cost-benefit analysis.

Answer

Detailed technical vulnerabilities

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Anecdotal stories of past incidents

Question 16

Which of the following are key components of an effective information security program? (Select TWO.)

Accepted Answer

A risk management framework. A risk management framework is a key component because it provides a structured, repeatable process for identifying, assessing, and mitigating information security risks. It ensures that security investments and controls are aligned with business objectives and risk appetite, rather than being ad hoc or technology-driven. Without a risk management framework, an information security program lacks the foundational governance to prioritize threats and allocate resources effectively.

Answer

State-of-the-art security tools and technologies

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A large security operations center

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Compliance with all applicable laws

Question 17

An information security manager is evaluating the maturity of the organization's security program. Which of the following indicators suggest a high level of maturity? (Select TWO.)

Accepted Answer

Security metrics are included in regular executive reports. Option B is correct because including security metrics in regular executive reports demonstrates that security performance is being measured, tracked, and communicated to leadership as part of ongoing governance. This aligns with a mature security program where security is integrated into business decision-making, not treated as a siloed technical function.

Answer

All security incidents are resolved within 24 hours

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The program uses the latest encryption standards

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The security team conducts annual penetration tests

Question 18

Which THREE of the following are essential roles in an effective information security governance structure? (Choose three.)

Accepted Answer

Board of directors.. The board of directors is essential because it holds ultimate accountability for the organization's risk posture and must approve the information security strategy, policies, and resource allocation. Without board-level oversight, security governance lacks the authority to enforce compliance and align security objectives with business goals. This aligns with the CISM framework's emphasis on top-down governance, where the board provides strategic direction and ensures adequate funding for security initiatives.

Answer

Help desk manager.

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Network administrator.

Question 19

Which TWO of the following are key components of an information security governance framework? (Choose two.)

Accepted Answer

Security policy and standards.. Security policy and standards are foundational components of an information security governance framework because they establish the high-level direction, principles, and mandatory requirements that guide the organization's security posture. The risk management process is equally critical as it provides a structured methodology for identifying, assessing, and treating risks, ensuring that security decisions are aligned with business objectives and risk appetite. Together, they form the strategic and operational backbone of governance, enabling accountability and continuous improvement.

Answer

Intrusion detection system (IDS) configuration.

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Firewall rule set.

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Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) compliance report.

Question 20

Which THREE of the following are common challenges in incident response? (Select exactly 3)

Accepted Answer

Poor coordination between teams. Poor coordination between teams (Option B) is a common challenge in incident response because security incidents often require collaboration across IT, legal, PR, and management. Without clear communication channels and predefined roles, response efforts become fragmented, leading to delays in containment and recovery. This is a well-documented issue in frameworks like NIST SP 800-61, which emphasizes the need for a coordinated incident response plan.

Answer

Over-reliance on cloud services

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Difficulty in identifying the root cause