- A
Architecture review by a senior architect
Architecture review validates the design against requirements and best practices.
- B
Static application security testing (SAST)
Why wrong: SAST is a development phase control (code scanning).
- C
User acceptance testing (UAT)
Why wrong: UAT occurs during the testing phase, not design.
- D
Regression testing
Why wrong: Regression testing is part of the testing phase.
- E
Threat modeling to identify security threats
Threat modeling is a key security control in design to build security in.
Question 966 of 984
Information Systems Acquisition, Development, and Implementation →mediumMultiple SelectObjective-mapped
CISA Practice Question: Information Systems Acquisition, Development, and Implementation
This CISA practice question tests your understanding of information systems acquisition, development, and implementation. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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.
An IS auditor is evaluating an organization's SDLC controls for a new system. Which TWO of the following are key controls that should be in place during the design phase? (Select TWO.)
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
✓
Architecture review by a senior architect
Architecture review by a senior architect is a key control during the design phase because it ensures the system's high-level structure aligns with security, scalability, and business requirements before development begins. This review catches design flaws early, reducing costly rework and preventing architectural weaknesses that could be exploited later. It is a formal gate in the SDLC that validates the design against established patterns and standards.
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.
- ✓
Architecture review by a senior architect
Why this is correct
Architecture review validates the design against requirements and best practices.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Static application security testing (SAST)
Why it's wrong here
SAST is a development phase control (code scanning).
- ✗
User acceptance testing (UAT)
Why it's wrong here
UAT occurs during the testing phase, not design.
- ✗
Regression testing
Why it's wrong here
Regression testing is part of the testing phase.
- ✓
Threat modeling to identify security threats
Why this is correct
Threat modeling is a key security control in design to build security in.
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 confuse security testing techniques like SAST with design-phase controls, or they mistakenly think UAT or regression testing occur early in the SDLC, when in fact they belong to later phases.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Threat modeling, such as using STRIDE or PASTA methodologies, systematically identifies threats like spoofing, tampering, or information disclosure by analyzing data flow diagrams and trust boundaries. For example, in a web application, threat modeling might reveal that session tokens are transmitted over HTTP instead of HTTPS, prompting a design change to enforce TLS 1.2+ before any code is written. This proactive approach reduces the attack surface and aligns with the 'shift left' security principle.
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 — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Information Systems Acquisition, Development, and Implementation practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All CISA questions
984 questions across all exam domains
- →
Certified Information Systems Auditor CISA study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
CISA practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related CISA practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Governance and Management of IT practice questions
Practise CISA questions linked to Governance and Management of IT.
Information Systems Acquisition, Development and Implementation practice questions
Practise CISA questions linked to Information Systems Acquisition, Development and Implementation.
Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience practice questions
Practise CISA questions linked to Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience.
Information System Auditing Process practice questions
Practise CISA questions linked to Information System Auditing Process.
Information Systems Acquisition, Development, and Implementation practice questions
Practise CISA questions linked to Information Systems Acquisition, Development, and Implementation.
Protection of Information Assets practice questions
Practise CISA questions linked to Protection of Information Assets.
CISA fundamentals practice questions
Practise CISA questions linked to CISA fundamentals.
CISA scenario practice questions
Practise CISA questions linked to CISA scenario.
CISA troubleshooting practice questions
Practise CISA questions linked to CISA troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free CISA practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CISA question test?
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: Architecture review by a senior architect — Architecture review by a senior architect is a key control during the design phase because it ensures the system's high-level structure aligns with security, scalability, and business requirements before development begins. This review catches design flaws early, reducing costly rework and preventing architectural weaknesses that could be exploited later. It is a formal gate in the SDLC that validates the design against established patterns and standards.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.