The answer is to implement compensating controls such as network segmentation, storage-level encryption, and strict access monitoring. This is correct because when a legacy system cannot meet HIPAA’s technical safeguards—like encryption at rest or role-based access controls—compensating controls provide an equivalent level of protection without disrupting operations. Network segmentation isolates the vulnerable EHR system, storage-level encryption (e.g., BitLocker or LUKS) protects data at rest, and real-time access monitoring via a SIEM mitigates the plaintext credential risk. On the CompTIA SecurityX CAS-004 exam, this scenario tests your ability to apply risk treatment options—specifically risk reduction through compensating controls—rather than accepting, transferring, or avoiding the risk entirely. A common trap is choosing to accept the risk or immediately decommission the system, but the 18-month transition window demands a balanced approach that satisfies both the CEO’s no-disruption mandate and regulatory compliance. Memory tip: think “Segregate, Encrypt, Monitor” as the three pillars of legacy system defense.
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.
A regional healthcare provider with 2,000 employees recently acquired a smaller clinic that uses a legacy electronic health record (EHR) system. The provider's security team performed a risk assessment and identified that the legacy system does not support encryption at rest, lacks role-based access controls (RBAC), and stores administrative credentials in plaintext. The system is scheduled to be decommissioned in 18 months, but it must remain operational to support patient care during the transition. The provider is subject to HIPAA and state breach notification laws. The CEO wants to avoid any disruption to patient services but also minimize regulatory risk. Which of the following is the BEST course of action?
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.
Clue: "minimum / minimize"
Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Implement compensating controls such as network segmentation, storage-level encryption, and strict access monitoring.
Option D is the best course of action because it allows the legacy EHR system to remain operational for patient care while reducing regulatory risk. Compensating controls like network segmentation isolate the vulnerable system, storage-level encryption (e.g., BitLocker or LUKS) protects data at rest, and strict access monitoring (e.g., SIEM with real-time alerts) mitigates the lack of RBAC and plaintext credentials. This approach balances the CEO's requirement for no disruption with HIPAA's security rule requirements for reasonable safeguards.
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.
✗
Accelerate the migration timeline to replace the legacy system within 6 months.
Why it's wrong here
Accelerating may not be feasible and could cause operational disruption.
✗
Immediately disconnect the legacy system from the network and use manual processes.
Why it's wrong here
Disconnecting would disrupt patient care, contrary to the CEO's directive.
✗
Accept the residual risk and document it in the risk register.
Why it's wrong here
Acceptance without compensating controls is insufficient for HIPAA compliance.
✓
Implement compensating controls such as network segmentation, storage-level encryption, and strict access monitoring.
Why this is correct
Compensating controls mitigate risk while the system remains operational.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "best", "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the concept that compensating controls are a valid risk treatment option when a vulnerability cannot be immediately remediated, and candidates mistakenly choose risk acceptance (Option C) without realizing that HIPAA requires active safeguards, not just documentation.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Network segmentation using VLANs and ACLs (e.g., 802.1Q tagging and extended ACLs) can restrict the legacy EHR system to only necessary communication paths, preventing lateral movement. Storage-level encryption, such as Microsoft BitLocker or Linux LUKS, encrypts the entire volume at the block level, protecting data at rest even if an attacker gains physical access. Strict access monitoring via a SIEM (e.g., Splunk or ELK stack) with alerts for anomalous behavior (e.g., failed logins or unusual data access patterns) compensates for the lack of RBAC by providing audit trails and real-time detection.
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.
TExam Day Tips
→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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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: Implement compensating controls such as network segmentation, storage-level encryption, and strict access monitoring. — Option D is the best course of action because it allows the legacy EHR system to remain operational for patient care while reducing regulatory risk. Compensating controls like network segmentation isolate the vulnerable system, storage-level encryption (e.g., BitLocker or LUKS) protects data at rest, and strict access monitoring (e.g., SIEM with real-time alerts) mitigates the lack of RBAC and plaintext credentials. This approach balances the CEO's requirement for no disruption with HIPAA's security rule requirements for reasonable safeguards.
What should I do if I get this CAS-004 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best", "minimum / minimize". 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.
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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