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CISA Practice Question: During the acquisition of a new software package,…
During the acquisition of a new software package, the procurement team evaluates two vendors. Vendor A offers a lower upfront cost but higher annual maintenance fees. Vendor B has a higher upfront cost but includes three years of maintenance. What is the MOST important factor for the IS auditor to consider?
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
✓
The total cost of ownership over the expected life of the system.
Total cost of ownership (TCO) includes all direct and indirect costs over the system's expected life, providing a comprehensive comparison between Vendor A and Vendor B. Option A is incorrect because focusing solely on upfront cost ignores higher ongoing maintenance fees. Option B is incorrect because while vendor reputation is important, it is not the most critical factor in this cost-related decision. Option D is incorrect because budget constraints are a consideration but not the most important factor; the auditor should evaluate the total cost to ensure long-term financial viability.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The upfront cost of each vendor.
Why it's wrong here
Ignores long-term costs.
- ✗
The vendor's market reputation.
Why it's wrong here
Important but not the primary cost-driven factor.
- ✓
The total cost of ownership over the expected life of the system.
Why this is correct
TCO gives a comprehensive cost comparison.
- ✗
The organization's budget constraints.
Why it's wrong here
Budget is a constraint, but TCO provides complete picture.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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