- A
Perform a penetration test after go-live
Why wrong: Penetration testing is a point-in-time assessment and cannot fix requirements gaps.
- B
Conduct a vulnerability scan after deployment to identify security gaps
Why wrong: Vulnerability scanning is reactive and may not address design flaws that stem from missing requirements.
- C
Implement a firewall and intrusion detection system
Why wrong: Network controls are important but do not compensate for lack of security requirements in the system design.
- D
Include security requirements in the design phase and obtain sign-off
Adding security requirements during design is better than later, but ideally they should be in requirements. However, this is the best option given the context.
Question 597 of 984
Information Systems Acquisition, Development, and Implementation →mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-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.
During an SDLC audit, the IS auditor finds that security requirements were not formally documented during the requirements phase. Which of the following is the BEST recommendation to mitigate the associated risk?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
✓
Include security requirements in the design phase and obtain sign-off
Security requirements should be defined early to ensure controls are designed in, not bolted on. The best practice is to include security requirements in the requirements phase and have them reviewed by security experts.
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.
- ✗
Perform a penetration test after go-live
Why it's wrong here
Penetration testing is a point-in-time assessment and cannot fix requirements gaps.
- ✗
Conduct a vulnerability scan after deployment to identify security gaps
Why it's wrong here
Vulnerability scanning is reactive and may not address design flaws that stem from missing requirements.
- ✗
Implement a firewall and intrusion detection system
Why it's wrong here
Network controls are important but do not compensate for lack of security requirements in the system design.
- ✓
Include security requirements in the design phase and obtain sign-off
Why this is correct
Adding security requirements during design is better than later, but ideally they should be in requirements. However, this is the best option given the context.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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 CISA exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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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: Include security requirements in the design phase and obtain sign-off — Security requirements should be defined early to ensure controls are designed in, not bolted on. The best practice is to include security requirements in the requirements phase and have them reviewed by security experts.
What should I do if I get this CISA question wrong?
Identify which CISA exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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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