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CISA Practice Question: An IS auditor is evaluating the controls over…
An IS auditor is evaluating the controls over program changes. Which TWO of the following are essential controls?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse 'essential controls' with 'best practices' or 'automation tools,' leading them to select options like automated deployment scripts or regression testing, which are valuable but not mandatory for every change in a well-controlled environment.
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
✓
Management authorization for the change
Management authorization (A) is essential because it ensures that only approved changes are implemented, preventing unauthorized modifications that could introduce security vulnerabilities or operational disruptions. A documented change request (B) provides an audit trail and formal record of what was changed, why, and by whom, which is critical for accountability and traceability in the change management process.
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.
- ✓
Documented change request
Why this is correct
A formal request initiates the change process and provides traceability.
- ✗
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.
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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.