- A
There is no audit trail of who granted access and why
Lack of formal process means no accountability.
- B
Segregation of duties between HR and IT is not maintained
HR should not be solely responsible for IT access provisioning.
- C
Password policies may not be enforced
Why wrong: Password policies are separate from the provisioning process.
- D
Users may be granted excessive privileges beyond their job requirements
Without an approval process, there is no check on the principle of least privilege.
- E
User accounts may not be locked after multiple failed login attempts
Why wrong: This is a separate control not directly related to provisioning.
Question 387 of 1,000
CISA Protection of Information Assets Practice Question
This CISA practice question tests your understanding of protection of information assets. 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 reviewing the logical access controls for a cloud-based HR system. The system contains sensitive employee data. The auditor notes that user provisioning is performed by the HR department without IT involvement, and there is no formal access request or approval process. Which THREE of the following are the MOST significant risks?
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
✓
There is no audit trail of who granted access and why
Without formal access controls, users may receive excessive privileges, there is no audit trail for access grants, and segregation of duties is violated. While password security and user lockout are relevant, the primary risks stem from the lack of control over provisioning.
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.
- ✓
There is no audit trail of who granted access and why
Why this is correct
Lack of formal process means no accountability.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✓
Segregation of duties between HR and IT is not maintained
Why this is correct
HR should not be solely responsible for IT access provisioning.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✗
Password policies may not be enforced
Why it's wrong here
Password policies are separate from the provisioning process.
- ✓
Users may be granted excessive privileges beyond their job requirements
Why this is correct
Without an approval process, there is no check on the principle of least privilege.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✗
User accounts may not be locked after multiple failed login attempts
Why it's wrong here
This is a separate control not directly related to provisioning.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CISA question test?
Protection of Information Assets — This question tests Protection of Information Assets — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: There is no audit trail of who granted access and why — Without formal access controls, users may receive excessive privileges, there is no audit trail for access grants, and segregation of duties is violated. While password security and user lockout are relevant, the primary risks stem from the lack of control over provisioning.
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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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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