The answer is the lack of automated secrets scanning and static application security testing (SAST) in the CI/CD pipeline. This is the most critical control failure because CI/CD pipelines operate at high velocity, making manual checks insufficient; automated secrets scanning acts as a preventive detective control that instantly flags credentials upon commit, preventing exposure. On the CISA exam, this scenario tests your understanding that technical preventive controls must match the speed of Agile development—a common trap is choosing code review or training, which are slower, softer controls that cannot catch real-time errors in a pipeline. Remember the memory tip: “Scan at commit, or risk the audit.”
CISA Practice Question: Information Systems Acquisition, Development and Implementation
This CISA practice question tests your understanding of information systems acquisition, development and implementation. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 large financial institution is developing a new online banking platform using an Agile methodology. The development team has implemented continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipeline. During a routine security scan, the IS auditor discovers that a developer accidentally committed a configuration file containing database credentials into the public-facing code repository. The credentials were exposed for 48 hours before being detected. Which of the following is the most critical control failure that allowed this incident to occur?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The CI/CD pipeline lacked automated secrets scanning and static application security testing (SAST)
The most critical failure is the absence of automated secret scanning and SAST in the CI/CD pipeline. Such tools would have detected the credentials immediately upon commit and prevented their exposure. While code review, training, and access controls are important, automated scanning is a preventive detective control that operates at the speed of development. Without it, human errors can go unnoticed. Option A (code review) is a manual process that can miss subtle commits. Option C (training) is a soft control and does not prevent the act. Option D (permissions) might reduce the scope but does not catch the initial mistake.
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.
✗
The code review process did not catch the sensitive data in the commit
Why it's wrong here
Code review is manual and may not catch all secrets; it is not the most critical control.
✓
The CI/CD pipeline lacked automated secrets scanning and static application security testing (SAST)
Why this is correct
Automated scanning would have detected the credentials immediately and blocked the commit or alerted the team.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The repository access permissions were too permissive
Why it's wrong here
Access permissions affect who can view the repo, but the credential exposure still occurred; the primary failure is the lack of detection.
✗
The security awareness training for developers was inadequate
Why it's wrong here
Training reduces but does not eliminate human error; it is not a technical control.
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 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 CISA 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.
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: The CI/CD pipeline lacked automated secrets scanning and static application security testing (SAST) — The most critical failure is the absence of automated secret scanning and SAST in the CI/CD pipeline. Such tools would have detected the credentials immediately upon commit and prevented their exposure. While code review, training, and access controls are important, automated scanning is a preventive detective control that operates at the speed of development. Without it, human errors can go unnoticed. Option A (code review) is a manual process that can miss subtle commits. Option C (training) is a soft control and does not prevent the act. Option D (permissions) might reduce the scope but does not catch the initial mistake.
What should I do if I get this CISA question wrong?
Identify which CISA 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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