- A
A list of all subprocessors
Why wrong: While transparency is good, it is not as critical as SLA, audit rights, and data ownership.
- B
Right to audit the vendor's controls
Audit rights allow the organization to verify controls.
- C
Service-level agreement (SLA) specifying uptime and response times
SLAs define expected service levels.
- D
A fixed-price payment schedule
Why wrong: Payment terms are important but not a control issue.
- E
Data ownership and data protection clauses
Clearly defines who owns the data and how it is protected.
Question 897 of 984
Information Systems Acquisition, Development, and Implementation →hardMultiple SelectObjective-mapped
CISA Practice Question: Information Systems Acquisition, Development, and Implementation
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 organization is planning to purchase a cloud-based HR system. Which THREE of the following should be included in the vendor contract to ensure adequate control and oversight? (Select three.)
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
✓
Right to audit the vendor's controls
A right to audit the vendor's controls (Option B) is essential for ensuring that the cloud-based HR system's security and operational controls are functioning as agreed. This contractual clause allows the organization to verify compliance with policies, regulations, and the vendor's own security assertions, such as SOC 2 Type II reports or ISO 27001 certifications, through direct examination or independent third-party assessments.
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.
- ✗
A list of all subprocessors
Why it's wrong here
While transparency is good, it is not as critical as SLA, audit rights, and data ownership.
- ✓
Right to audit the vendor's controls
Why this is correct
Audit rights allow the organization to verify controls.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Service-level agreement (SLA) specifying uptime and response times
Why this is correct
SLAs define expected service levels.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
A fixed-price payment schedule
Why it's wrong here
Payment terms are important but not a control issue.
- ✓
Data ownership and data protection clauses
Why this is correct
Clearly defines who owns the data and how it is protected.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between operational requirements (like a list of subprocessors) and actual control/oversight mechanisms (like audit rights and SLAs), leading candidates to select transparency items instead of enforceable governance clauses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The right to audit typically includes access to the vendor's data centers, network configurations, and security logs, often governed by a nondisclosure agreement. In practice, this right may be exercised through a shared audit framework like the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) STAR program or by reviewing a vendor's SOC 2 Type II report, which provides assurance over controls related to security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. Without this clause, the organization has no contractual leverage to verify the vendor's compliance with the SLA or data protection commitments.
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 Acquisition, Development, and Implementation — This question tests Information Systems Acquisition, Development, and Implementation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Right to audit the vendor's controls — A right to audit the vendor's controls (Option B) is essential for ensuring that the cloud-based HR system's security and operational controls are functioning as agreed. This contractual clause allows the organization to verify compliance with policies, regulations, and the vendor's own security assertions, such as SOC 2 Type II reports or ISO 27001 certifications, through direct examination or independent third-party assessments.
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.
About these practice questions
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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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