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CAS-004 Practice Question: Which THREE of the following are required by the…
Which THREE of the following are required by the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) for the 'Protect' function?
⚠ Common exam trap
The CAS-004 exam often tests the distinction between CSF functions, and the trap here is confusing the 'Protect' function's maintenance and access control requirements with risk assessment (Identify) or incident response planning (Respond), which are separate pillars of the framework.
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
✓
Performing regular maintenance of systems
Performing regular maintenance of systems is required under the Protect function of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) because it directly supports the 'Protective Technology' and 'Maintenance' subcategories (PR.MA). Regular patching, updates, and hardware upkeep ensure that security controls remain effective against known vulnerabilities, reducing the attack surface. This is a proactive measure to sustain the integrity and availability of systems, aligning with the CSF's focus on safeguarding critical infrastructure.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Performing regular maintenance of systems
Why this is correct
Maintenance is under Protect.
- ✓
Ensuring data at rest and in transit is encrypted
Why this is correct
Data security is part of Protect.
- ✗
Conducting a risk assessment for critical assets
Why it's wrong here
Risk assessment is under Identify.
- ✗
Developing an incident response plan
Why it's wrong here
Incident response is under Respond.
- ✓
Implementing access controls for authorized users
Why this is correct
Access control is under Protect.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CAS-005 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-005 exam.