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.
An IS auditor is evaluating the controls over program changes. Which TWO of the following are essential controls?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Management authorization for the change
Options A and B are correct because documented change requests and management authorization are fundamental to ensure changes are controlled and approved. Option C is not essential as automation is a tool, not a control. Option D is a good practice but not essential for authorization. Option E is a testing control, not directly an authorization control.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Management authorization for the change
Why this is correct
Authorization ensures changes are approved by appropriate parties.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✓
Documented change request
Why this is correct
A formal request initiates the change process and provides traceability.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✗
Automated deployment scripts
Why it's wrong here
Automation aids consistency but is not an essential control for authorization.
✗
Regression testing of all changes
Why it's wrong here
Regression testing is important but not an authorization control.
✗
Post-change review by independent party
Why it's wrong here
Post-review is detective, not preventive or essential.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Authentication checks who the user is.
Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
→Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
→Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
→Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related CISA questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Information Systems Acquisition, Development and Implementation — This question tests Information Systems Acquisition, Development and Implementation — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Management authorization for the change — Options A and B are correct because documented change requests and management authorization are fundamental to ensure changes are controlled and approved. Option C is not essential as automation is a tool, not a control. Option D is a good practice but not essential for authorization. Option E is a testing control, not directly an authorization control.
What should I do if I get this CISA question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related CISA questions on access control and AAA configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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Question Discussion
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