hardMultiple Choice
CISA Practice Question: During a post-implementation review, an IS…
During a post-implementation review, an IS auditor identifies that the system's actual transaction processing time is significantly higher than the benchmark specified in the service level agreement (SLA). The vendor claims it is due to inadequate network bandwidth provided by the client. What should the auditor do first?
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
✓
Review the SLA to determine responsibility for network performance
The SLA should define responsibilities for network performance. The auditor should first review the SLA to determine who is responsible. Option B is incorrect because recommending bandwidth increase without verifying responsibility is premature. Option C is incorrect because escalation to senior management is not the first step; review of SLA should occur first. Option D is incorrect because independent performance testing may be unnecessary if the SLA clarifies responsibility.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Review the SLA to determine responsibility for network performance
Why this is correct
The SLA defines which party owns network bandwidth and performance thresholds. Before evaluating the vendor's claim, the auditor must establish contractual responsibility, since that determines whether the shortfall is a vendor breach or a client-side infrastructure issue.
- ✗
Recommend increasing network bandwidth
Why it's wrong here
Jumping to a bandwidth fix accepts the vendor's unverified claim without evidence, so the auditor cannot yet attribute the SLA breach to the network. Bandwidth upgrades are a legitimate remediation once measurement confirms saturation, but first the auditor must gather independent performance data to validate the cause.
- ✗
Escalate the issue to senior management
Why it's wrong here
Escalation to senior management is premature; the auditor must first determine whether the SLA breach stems from bandwidth or vendor performance by examining evidence. It is tempting because management can compel resolution, but escalation without established facts bypasses the auditor's duty to verify the vendor's claim independently.
- ✗
Perform independent performance testing
Why it's wrong here
Independent performance testing is a later validation step; the auditor should first gather evidence to substantiate or refute the vendor's bandwidth claim before designing tests. It is tempting because testing yields objective data, but it is premature until the dispute's technical basis is established through existing monitoring and SLA records.
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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.