easyMultiple Choice
CISA Practice Question: A financial institution is deploying a data loss…
A financial institution is deploying a data loss prevention (DLP) solution. Which of the following is the MOST important prerequisite to ensure the DLP can effectively detect sensitive data?
⚠ Common exam trap
ISACA often tests the misconception that deploying agents or configuring network controls is the first step, but the trap here is that technical controls are useless without first defining what data is sensitive through classification.
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 a data classification exercise
A DLP solution detects sensitive data by matching content against predefined patterns or rules. Without a data classification exercise, the organization cannot define what constitutes 'sensitive data' (e.g., PII, PCI, IP), making the DLP blind to what it should monitor. Classification provides the taxonomy and metadata (e.g., labels, tags) that the DLP engine uses to trigger alerts or blocks, ensuring detection is both accurate and aligned with policy.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Configuring incident response procedures
Why it's wrong here
Incident response procedures govern action after a DLP alert fires; detection itself depends on first classifying and inventorying sensitive data so rules have something to match. It is tempting because response planning is a recognised DLP lifecycle stage, and it would be correct when the question asks how to handle confirmed policy violations.
- ✗
Installing endpoint agents on all devices
Why it's wrong here
Endpoint agents only monitor data on managed hosts, missing data at rest in repositories, cloud stores and network egress; detection requires a data classification and discovery baseline first. It is tempting because agent deployment is a real DLP component, and it would be correct when the requirement is controlling data movement on endpoints.
- ✗
Implementing network segmentation
Why it's wrong here
Network segmentation controls traffic paths between zones; it does not identify or classify sensitive content, so DLP engines have nothing to match against. Segmentation is tempting because it limits breach blast radius and supports containment, and would be the right control when the requirement is restricting lateral movement rather than content discovery.
- ✓
Performing a data classification exercise
Why this is correct
Data classification assigns sensitivity labels that DLP engines match against, defining what counts as sensitive before inspection rules can act. Without it, pattern matching alone produces false positives and misses regulated data. This satisfies the stem's prerequisite constraint: detection depends on knowing which data requires protection, not merely deploying tooling.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CISA practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISACA 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 CISA exam.