- A
Increased risk of security breaches due to unpatched vulnerabilities.
EOL software lacks security patches, making it vulnerable.
- B
Difficulty in integrating with newer systems.
Why wrong: Integration issues are possible but not as critical as security and compliance.
- C
Non-compliance with regulatory requirements for patching.
Regulations may require timely patching; EOL systems cannot be patched.
- D
Reduced performance due to outdated software.
Why wrong: Performance is secondary to security and compliance.
- E
Higher software licensing costs.
Why wrong: EOL software may not require licensing fees, but the risk is not cost.
Question 792 of 984
CISA Practice Question: Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience
This CISA practice question tests your understanding of information systems operations and business resilience. 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 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?
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.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
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.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
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.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse operational issues (like integration difficulty or performance) with the primary security and compliance risks that directly stem from unpatched vulnerabilities on EOL systems.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
EOL operating systems, such as Windows Server 2008 or CentOS 6, have reached the end of their support lifecycle, meaning the vendor no longer releases security updates. Attackers often reverse-engineer patches for supported systems to create exploits for the same vulnerabilities in EOL systems, a technique known as 'patch gap' exploitation. Compliance frameworks like PCI DSS Requirement 6.2 explicitly mandate that all critical systems must be patched within a defined timeframe, and running EOL software is a direct violation of this requirement.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the CISA exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CISA question test?
Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience — This question tests Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: 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.
What should I do if I get this CISA question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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.
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