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CISA Practice Question: An IS auditor is reviewing an organization's data…
An IS auditor is reviewing an organization's data classification policy. Which of the following findings is MOST critical?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates focus on visible technical controls like encryption (Option C) rather than the foundational governance requirement of data ownership, which the CISA considers more critical for policy effectiveness.
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
✓
Data owners have not been identified for most data assets
Without identified data owners, no one is accountable for classifying, protecting, or granting access to data assets. This foundational gap undermines the entire data classification policy, making it impossible to enforce controls like encryption or access reviews. The CISA emphasizes that data owner assignment is the first step in any data governance framework.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Employees receive data classification training only once per year
Why it's wrong here
Annual training is a frequency weakness, not a failure of the classification policy's operation; the critical finding is that classification is not applied or enforced. Annual training is tempting because awareness gaps cause misclassification, and it would be the key finding in a review of security-awareness programme adequacy.
- ✗
Data classification is performed manually without automated tools
Why it's wrong here
Manual classification still produces labelled data; the critical failure is that sensitive data remains unencrypted at rest, exposing it regardless of classification. Manual classification is tempting to flag because automation scales better, and it would be the finding in an organisation where volume or inconsistency causes misclassification.
- ✗
Sensitive data is not encrypted at rest
Why it's wrong here
Encryption at rest is a storage control, not a classification-policy defect; the question asks which finding undermines the classification policy itself, such as data being unclassified or mislabelled. Encryption is tempting because unprotected sensitive data is severe, and it would be the critical finding in a review of data-at-rest protection controls.
- ✓
Data owners have not been identified for most data assets
Why this is correct
Without identified data owners, no one is accountable for classifying, protecting or authorising access to data assets, undermining the entire classification policy. This governance gap is more critical than documentation or labelling weaknesses because ownership underpins every subsequent control.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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