CISA Practice Question: Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience
An IS auditor is reviewing the vendor management program for a critical outsourced service. The vendor has recently been acquired by another company. Which TWO factors should the auditor be most concerned about regarding the acquisition?
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
✓
The vendor's new owner may have different security standards.
A change in vendor ownership can affect the contractual relationship and service delivery. The auditor should focus on whether the contract allows assignment (without consent) and whether the new owner's financial stability poses a risk.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
The vendor's new owner may have different security standards.
Why this is correct
Security standards may change, affecting the organization's risk posture.
- ✗
The vendor's new owner may increase prices.
Why it's wrong here
Price changes are contractual; not the most critical audit concern.
- ✗
The vendor's new owner may have a different organizational culture.
Why it's wrong here
Cultural differences are less immediately impactful than contractual and security risks.
- ✗
The vendor's new owner may lay off key personnel.
Why it's wrong here
While possible, it's a consequence; the lack of change-of-control clause is a root issue.
- ✓
The contract may not have a clause requiring consent for change of control.
Why this is correct
Without such a clause, the organization may have no recourse if the new owner is unsuitable.
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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.