CISA Practice Question: Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience
An IS auditor is reviewing the software asset management (SAM) process. The organization uses a mix of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) and open-source software. The auditor finds that several servers are running end-of-life (EOL) operating systems that are no longer patched. Which TWO risks are most directly associated with this finding?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse operational issues (like integration difficulty or performance) with the primary security and compliance risks that directly stem from unpatched vulnerabilities on EOL systems.
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
✓
Increased risk of security breaches due to unpatched vulnerabilities.
End-of-life (EOL) operating systems no longer receive security patches from the vendor, leaving known vulnerabilities unmitigated. This directly increases the risk of security breaches because attackers can exploit these unpatched flaws. Additionally, many regulatory frameworks (e.g., PCI DSS, SOX) require timely patching of critical systems, so running EOL software constitutes non-compliance with those requirements.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Increased risk of security breaches due to unpatched vulnerabilities.
Why this is correct
EOL software lacks security patches, making it vulnerable.
- ✗
Difficulty in integrating with newer systems.
Why it's wrong here
Integration issues are possible but not as critical as security and compliance.
- ✓
Non-compliance with regulatory requirements for patching.
Why this is correct
Regulations may require timely patching; EOL systems cannot be patched.
- ✗
Reduced performance due to outdated software.
Why it's wrong here
Performance is secondary to security and compliance.
- ✗
Higher software licensing costs.
Why it's wrong here
EOL software may not require licensing fees, but the risk is not cost.
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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.