CISA Protection of Information Assets Practice Question
An IS auditor is reviewing the vulnerability management program. The auditor notes that a critical vulnerability was identified in a production system six months ago and has not been patched due to a business impact assessment. Which of the following should the auditor examine NEXT?
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
✓
Whether a formal risk acceptance and compensating controls are in place
The auditor should verify that the risk acceptance is formally documented and approved by the appropriate management, including compensating controls, to ensure the risk is managed.
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 technical details of the vulnerability
Why it's wrong here
Technical details are secondary to whether the risk was formally accepted.
- ✗
The patch deployment schedule for the next quarter
Why it's wrong here
A schedule does not address the fact that it's already overdue.
- ✓
Whether a formal risk acceptance and compensating controls are in place
Why this is correct
If the organization decided not to patch, there should be documented risk acceptance and compensating controls.
- ✗
The vendor's patch release notes
Why it's wrong here
Release notes are not relevant to the decision not to patch.
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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.