The answer is implementing a configuration management database (CMDB) and performing regular patch management. These two controls directly prevent disaster recovery test failures due to incompatible software versions because a CMDB maintains an authoritative record of all software versions across production and backup environments, while patch management ensures that both environments are updated in a synchronized manner. On the CISA exam, this scenario tests your understanding of change and configuration management as core IT governance processes, often appearing as a distractor-laden question where candidates mistakenly choose backup frequency or cloud replication. The common trap is assuming that more frequent backups solve version mismatches, but version control is a logical, not temporal, issue. Remember the mnemonic “CMDB + Patch = Match” to recall that tracking and updating versions together eliminates incompatibility during recovery testing.
CISA Practice Question: Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience
This CISA practice question tests your understanding of information systems operations and business resilience. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
During a disaster recovery test, the team discovers that the backup server is unable to restore data because of incompatible software versions. Which TWO controls should have been implemented to prevent this?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Maintaining a configuration management database
A configuration management database (CMDB) tracks software versions, and a patch management process ensures compatibility. Cloud backups, backup frequency, and IDS do not address version compatibility.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Maintaining a configuration management database
Why this is correct
Correct: CMDB tracks software versions across environments.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Using cloud-based backup solutions
Why it's wrong here
Cloud does not inherently solve version incompatibility.
Correct: Patch management ensures software stacks are consistent.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related CISA NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience — This question tests Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Maintaining a configuration management database — A configuration management database (CMDB) tracks software versions, and a patch management process ensures compatibility. Cloud backups, backup frequency, and IDS do not address version compatibility.
What should I do if I get this CISA question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related CISA NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Question Discussion
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