easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
CISA Is implementing a new financial system Practice Question
An organization is implementing a new financial system. Which of the following is the MOST important control to ensure data integrity during the data migration phase?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse data integrity controls with security controls (like encryption) or validation activities (like UAT), failing to recognize that reconciliation is the only option that directly verifies the accuracy and completeness of the migrated data itself.
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
✓
Implementing reconciliation controls between source and target
Reconciliation controls between source and target systems are the most critical control for ensuring data integrity during migration because they provide a systematic method to verify that every record has been accurately transferred without loss, duplication, or corruption. This typically involves comparing record counts, hash totals, or checksums (e.g., using MD5 or SHA-256) between the legacy and new databases, and flagging any discrepancies for correction before the system goes live.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Conducting a post-implementation review
Why it's wrong here
Post-implementation review is after the fact and not a preventive control.
- ✓
Implementing reconciliation controls between source and target
Why this is correct
Reconciliation ensures data completeness and accuracy.
- ✗
Encrypting data in transit
Why it's wrong here
Encryption protects confidentiality, not integrity.
- ✗
Performing user acceptance testing
Why it's wrong here
UAT validates business functionality, not data integrity during migration.
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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.