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200-201 Practice Question: Which TWO of the following are essential…
Which TWO of the following are essential requirements for a security policy to be effective?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between 'essential for effectiveness' and 'generally good practice' — candidates mistakenly select 'comply with all applicable laws' (D) because it sounds mandatory, but the exam focuses on whether the policy can be enforced and understood by the people it governs, not its legal alignment.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
It must be communicated to all relevant parties
A security policy must be communicated to all relevant parties because it establishes the baseline of expected behaviors and responsibilities across the organization. Without communication, users cannot be held accountable for violations, and the policy becomes a theoretical document rather than an operational control. This aligns with the ISO 27001 requirement for awareness and training, ensuring that every stakeholder understands their role in maintaining security.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
It should be as long and detailed as possible
Why it's wrong here
Length can hinder comprehension; effectiveness comes from clarity and relevance.
- ✓
It must be communicated to all relevant parties
Why this is correct
Effective policies require awareness and understanding.
- ✓
It must be enforceable
Why this is correct
Without enforcement, the policy is just a suggestion.
- ✗
It must comply with all applicable laws
Why it's wrong here
Legal compliance is important but does not guarantee effectiveness; enforceability and communication are more critical.
- ✗
It should be updated only when an incident occurs
Why it's wrong here
Policies should be reviewed regularly, not reactively.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 200-201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-201 exam.