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CISA Practice Question: An organization's IT department is structured…

An organization's IT department is structured with a central unit that provides infrastructure and support, while individual business units have their own application development teams. This structure is BEST described as:

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

Federated (hybrid) IT

A centralized IT structure consolidates IT functions in a central unit, while a decentralized structure distributes IT across business units. A hybrid (federated) structure combines aspects of both, with some functions centralized and others decentralized.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

  • Outsourced IT

    Why it's wrong here

    Outsourced IT involves third-party providers, not internal structure.

  • Centralized IT

    Why it's wrong here

    In centralized IT, all IT functions are managed centrally.

  • Decentralized IT

    Why it's wrong here

    In decentralized IT, each business unit has its own IT department with no central coordination.

  • Federated (hybrid) IT

    Why this is correct

    A federated structure combines centralized infrastructure with decentralized application development.

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JA

Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security

Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva

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