Quick Answer
The answer is to adopt a unified compliance framework such as NIST SP 800-53. This is correct because a unified framework provides a single, comprehensive catalog of controls that can be mapped to the requirements of multiple regulations like GDPR and SOX, eliminating redundant controls and ensuring consistent compliance across the organization. On the CompTIA SecurityX CAS-004 exam, this concept tests your understanding of governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) consolidation strategies, often appearing in scenario-based questions where a CISO seeks to reduce audit fatigue and operational overhead. A common trap is choosing to implement separate, regulation-specific frameworks, which creates duplication and conflicts. Remember the memory tip: “One framework to rule them all”—NIST 800-53 serves as the master control set that maps to any regulation, making it the gold standard for unified compliance.
This CAS-004 practice question tests your understanding of governance, risk and compliance. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A global financial firm must comply with GDPR and SOX. The CISO wants to consolidate controls across frameworks using a single set of controls. Which approach best addresses this requirement?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Adopt a unified control framework such as NIST SP 800-53
Allows mapping to multiple regulations
Focus only on the most stringent regulation
Why wrong: Ignores overlapping requirements
Implement automated GRC tools without changing controls
Why wrong: Does not address control consolidation
Maintain separate control sets for each regulation
Why wrong: Increases complexity and redundancy
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Adopt a unified control framework such as NIST SP 800-53
Adopting a unified control framework such as NIST SP 800-53 allows the firm to map controls from GDPR and SOX into a single, comprehensive set, reducing duplication and ensuring consistent compliance. This approach leverages the framework's catalog of controls, which can be tailored to meet the specific requirements of multiple regulations simultaneously, aligning with the CISO's goal of consolidation.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Adopt a unified control framework such as NIST SP 800-53
Why this is correct
Allows mapping to multiple regulations
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Focus only on the most stringent regulation
Why it's wrong here
Ignores overlapping requirements
Implement automated GRC tools without changing controls
Why it's wrong here
Does not address control consolidation
Maintain separate control sets for each regulation
Why it's wrong here
Increases complexity and redundancy
Common exam traps
Cisco often tests the misconception that simply automating compliance with GRC tools or focusing on the strictest regulation is sufficient, but the correct approach requires a unified framework that harmonizes controls across all applicable regulations.
Detailed technical explanation
NIST SP 800-53 provides a baseline of over 400 controls organized into families (e.g., Access Control, Audit and Accountability), which can be mapped to GDPR's Articles (e.g., Article 32 on security of processing) and SOX's Section 404 (internal controls over financial reporting). Under the hood, this mapping often uses a control correlation matrix to identify overlapping requirements, enabling a single control to satisfy multiple regulatory obligations, which reduces audit fatigue and operational costs in a multi-regulatory environment.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the CAS-004 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
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FAQ
Governance, Risk and Compliance — This question tests Governance, Risk and Compliance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Adopt a unified control framework such as NIST SP 800-53 — Adopting a unified control framework such as NIST SP 800-53 allows the firm to map controls from GDPR and SOX into a single, comprehensive set, reducing duplication and ensuring consistent compliance. This approach leverages the framework's catalog of controls, which can be tailored to meet the specific requirements of multiple regulations simultaneously, aligning with the CISO's goal of consolidation.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This CAS-004 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA 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 CAS-004 exam.
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