Quick Answer
The correct choice is developers having direct production database access, as this finding represents the most critical violation of segregation of duties within the SDLC. In a properly controlled environment, developers should never have direct production access because it allows them to bypass change management controls, potentially leading to unauthorized data modification, deletion, or exfiltration. This principle is a cornerstone of the Certified Information Systems Auditor CISA exam, which frequently tests your ability to identify threats to data integrity and confidentiality in the system development life cycle. A common trap is focusing on less severe issues like missing documentation or testing gaps, but the CISA exam emphasizes that production access for developers directly undermines the core separation between development, testing, and operations. Remember the memory tip: "Developers code, operators deploy—never let the builder hold the keys to the live house."
This CISA practice question tests your understanding of information systems acquisition, development and implementation. 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 IT auditor is reviewing the system development life cycle (SDLC) process for a critical application. Which of the following findings would be of MOST concern?
Test data is refreshed from production monthly
Why wrong: Common practice, but requires masking.
Developers use local development environments
Why wrong: This is standard practice.
Developers have production database access
Violates segregation of duties.
Code reviews are performed by senior developers
Why wrong: This is a control.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Developers have production database access
Developers having direct production database access violates the principle of segregation of duties and poses a significant risk of unauthorized data modification, deletion, or exfiltration. In a well-controlled SDLC, production access should be restricted to operations or DBA teams, with changes promoted through automated deployment pipelines. This finding directly undermines data integrity and confidentiality controls.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Test data is refreshed from production monthly
Why it's wrong here
Common practice, but requires masking.
Developers use local development environments
Why it's wrong here
This is standard practice.
Developers have production database access
Why this is correct
Violates segregation of duties.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Code reviews are performed by senior developers
Why it's wrong here
This is a control.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates may dismiss local development environments or monthly test data refreshes as risky, while overlooking the critical segregation of duties violation inherent in granting developers direct production database access.
Detailed technical explanation
Direct production database access often bypasses audit trails and change management controls, as database activity logging (e.g., Oracle Fine-Grained Auditing or SQL Server Audit) may not capture ad-hoc queries or modifications made through developer tools. In a real-world scenario, a developer with production access could execute an unapproved UPDATE statement to alter financial records, and without proper separation of duties, such changes could go undetected until a reconciliation failure occurs. This is why frameworks like COBIT and NIST SP 800-53 mandate strict access controls and monitoring for production environments.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Information Systems Acquisition, Development and Implementation — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Information Systems Acquisition, Development and Implementation practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All CISA questions
509 questions across all exam domains
Certified Information Systems Auditor CISA study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
CISA practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise CISA questions linked to Governance and Management of IT.
Practise CISA questions linked to Information Systems Acquisition, Development and Implementation.
Practise CISA questions linked to Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience.
Practise CISA questions linked to Protection of Information Assets.
Practise CISA questions linked to Information System Auditing Process.
Practise CISA questions linked to CISA fundamentals.
Practise CISA questions linked to CISA scenario.
Practise CISA questions linked to CISA troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Information Systems Acquisition, Development and Implementation — This question tests Information Systems Acquisition, Development and Implementation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Developers have production database access — Developers having direct production database access violates the principle of segregation of duties and poses a significant risk of unauthorized data modification, deletion, or exfiltration. In a well-controlled SDLC, production access should be restricted to operations or DBA teams, with changes promoted through automated deployment pipelines. This finding directly undermines data integrity and confidentiality controls.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.