Quick Answer
The answer is backup and recovery procedures and recovery time objectives (RTOs). Backup and recovery procedures are essential because they ensure data and system functionality can be restored after a disruption, directly safeguarding business operations. RTOs are equally critical as they define the maximum acceptable downtime for the new system, driving the design of backup strategies and resource allocation; without RTOs, the BCP cannot prioritize recovery actions effectively. On the CISA exam, this tests your understanding that a BCP for a new system must include both the technical restoration method and the time-based performance target, often appearing in scenario-based questions where a trap is to confuse RTOs with recovery point objectives (RPOs). Remember the mnemonic: “Backup gets you back, RTO tells you how fast.”
This CISA practice question tests your understanding of information systems acquisition, development and implementation. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
Which TWO of the following are essential elements of a business continuity plan (BCP) for a newly developed system?
Testing schedule for the BCP
Why wrong: Testing schedule is part of BCP maintenance, not a core element.
List of incident response team members
Why wrong: Incident response is separate from BCP.
Detailed system architecture
Why wrong: Architecture is a design artifact, not a BCP element.
Recovery time objectives (RTOs)
RTOs define maximum acceptable downtime.
Backup and recovery procedures
Essential for restoring system after disruption.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Recovery time objectives (RTOs)
Recovery time objectives (RTOs) are essential because they define the maximum acceptable downtime for the system, directly driving the design of backup and recovery strategies. Without RTOs, the BCP cannot prioritize recovery actions or allocate resources effectively, making them a foundational element for any newly developed system.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Testing schedule for the BCP
Why it's wrong here
Testing schedule is part of BCP maintenance, not a core element.
List of incident response team members
Why it's wrong here
Incident response is separate from BCP.
Detailed system architecture
Why it's wrong here
Architecture is a design artifact, not a BCP element.
Recovery time objectives (RTOs)
Why this is correct
RTOs define maximum acceptable downtime.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Backup and recovery procedures
Why this is correct
Essential for restoring system after disruption.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is confusing operational components (testing schedule, incident response team) with the core strategic elements (RTOs and recovery procedures) that must be defined before a BCP can be considered complete for a new system.
Detailed technical explanation
RTOs are typically defined in minutes or hours and are derived from business impact analysis (BIA) data, directly influencing the choice of recovery technologies such as synchronous replication (for near-zero RTO) or asynchronous replication (for longer RTOs). Backup and recovery procedures must align with the RTO and recovery point objective (RPO), specifying exact steps like database restore commands, log shipping intervals, or cloud failover scripts to ensure the system can be brought online within the agreed timeframe.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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FAQ
Information Systems Acquisition, Development and Implementation — This question tests Information Systems Acquisition, Development and Implementation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Recovery time objectives (RTOs) — Recovery time objectives (RTOs) are essential because they define the maximum acceptable downtime for the system, directly driving the design of backup and recovery strategies. Without RTOs, the BCP cannot prioritize recovery actions or allocate resources effectively, making them a foundational element for any newly developed system.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
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