CISA Practice Question: Information Systems Acquisition, Development and Implementation
This CISA practice question tests your understanding of information systems acquisition, development and implementation. 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 company is migrating its on-premises data center to a public cloud provider. Which of the following is the MOST important control to implement before migration to ensure data security?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Implement data encryption at rest and in transit
Data encryption at rest and in transit is the most important control before migration because it protects sensitive data from exposure during the transfer process and after it is stored in the cloud. Without encryption, data could be intercepted over the network or accessed by unauthorized parties in the cloud provider's infrastructure. This control directly addresses the core risk of data leakage during and after migration, which is a fundamental security requirement.
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.
✗
Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all cloud accounts
Why it's wrong here
MFA is important but does not directly protect the data itself.
✗
Deploy a cloud access security broker (CASB)
Why it's wrong here
CASB is for visibility and control, not a foundational control.
✗
Establish a virtual private network (VPN) between on-premises and cloud
Why it's wrong here
VPN secures the connection but does not protect data at rest.
✓
Implement data encryption at rest and in transit
Why this is correct
Encryption ensures data confidentiality and integrity during and after migration.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often choose a VPN (Option C) thinking it fully secures data during migration, but they overlook that encryption at rest is equally critical and that a VPN only protects data in transit, not after it is stored in the cloud.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Encryption at rest typically uses AES-256 with key management via services like AWS KMS or Azure Key Vault, while encryption in transit relies on TLS 1.2/1.3 or IPsec. A common subtlety is that data must be encrypted before leaving the on-premises environment to ensure end-to-end protection, as relying solely on cloud provider encryption may leave data exposed during the upload phase. In a real-world scenario, failing to encrypt data before migration could lead to compliance violations under regulations like GDPR or HIPAA if data is intercepted or accessed by the cloud provider's staff.
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 practitioner preparing for the CISA 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 exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Information Systems Acquisition, Development and Implementation — This question tests Information Systems Acquisition, Development and Implementation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Implement data encryption at rest and in transit — Data encryption at rest and in transit is the most important control before migration because it protects sensitive data from exposure during the transfer process and after it is stored in the cloud. Without encryption, data could be intercepted over the network or accessed by unauthorized parties in the cloud provider's infrastructure. This control directly addresses the core risk of data leakage during and after migration, which is a fundamental security requirement.
What should I do if I get this CISA question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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