The answer is Control 13, network monitoring and defense, because it has the lowest overall score of 1/5, with its intrusion detection subcontrol completely unimplemented at 0/5, creating a critical blind spot that leaves the organization unable to detect active attacks in real time. This deficiency directly undermines the CIS Controls lowest score priority network monitoring requirement, as without intrusion detection, the organization cannot identify or respond to threats traversing the network. On the CompTIA SecurityX CAS-004 exam, this scenario tests your ability to prioritize remediation based on both overall control scores and the severity of missing subcontrols—a common trap is to focus on a control with a slightly higher score but partial implementation, like data protection at 2/5, rather than the one with a zero in a foundational capability. Remember the mnemonic “Zero in the zone” to flag that any subcontrol scored 0/5 in a critical area like network monitoring demands immediate attention over controls with partial progress.
CAS-004 Governance, Risk and Compliance Practice Question
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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
CIS Controls Assessment Results:
Control 3: Data Protection — Score: 2/5
- Subcontrol 3.1: Inventory of sensitive data — 0/5 (Not implemented)
- Subcontrol 3.2: Encryption of sensitive data at rest — 4/5
- Subcontrol 3.3: Encryption of sensitive data in transit — 3/5
Control 8: Incident Response — Score: 3/5
- Subcontrol 8.1: Incident response plan — 5/5
- Subcontrol 8.2: Incident response testing — 1/5
Control 13: Network Monitoring and Defense — Score: 1/5
- Subcontrol 13.1: Centralized logging — 2/5
- Subcontrol 13.2: Intrusion detection — 0/5
The exhibit shows results from a CIS Controls assessment. Based on the findings, which control deficiency poses the greatest risk to the organization and should be prioritized for remediation?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Network monitoring and defense (Control 13) because it has the lowest overall score and intrusion detection is missing
Option C is correct because the network monitoring and defense control has the lowest overall score (1/5), and within it, intrusion detection is completely unimplemented (0/5), leaving the organization blind to active attacks. Option A is wrong because data protection has a higher overall score (2/5) and its subcontrols are partially implemented. Option B is wrong because incident response has a score of 3/5, which is relatively better, and the plan is fully in place; testing can be improved but is not as critical. Option D is wrong because data encryption at rest is already highly implemented (4/5).
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Incident response (Control 8) because testing is only at 1/5
Why it's wrong here
Incident response scores 3/5 overall, relatively good; testing is a gap but not the most critical.
✓
Network monitoring and defense (Control 13) because it has the lowest overall score and intrusion detection is missing
Why this is correct
This control has the lowest score (1/5) and lacks intrusion detection, which is vital for detecting threats.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Data protection (Control 3) because sensitive data inventory is not implemented
Why it's wrong here
Data protection scores 2/5 overall, which is moderate; inventory is a gap but not the highest risk.
✗
Data encryption at rest (Subcontrol 3.2) because it received a score of 4/5, indicating room for improvement
Why it's wrong here
A score of 4/5 indicates strong implementation; this is not a pressing deficiency.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which CAS-004 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Governance, Risk and Compliance — This question tests Governance, Risk and Compliance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Network monitoring and defense (Control 13) because it has the lowest overall score and intrusion detection is missing — Option C is correct because the network monitoring and defense control has the lowest overall score (1/5), and within it, intrusion detection is completely unimplemented (0/5), leaving the organization blind to active attacks. Option A is wrong because data protection has a higher overall score (2/5) and its subcontrols are partially implemented. Option B is wrong because incident response has a score of 3/5, which is relatively better, and the plan is fully in place; testing can be improved but is not as critical. Option D is wrong because data encryption at rest is already highly implemented (4/5).
What should I do if I get this CAS-004 question wrong?
Identify which CAS-004 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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