- A
Replace the cloud platform with one that provides built-in authentication logging
Why wrong: Switching platforms is costly and may not be feasible; the IdP can provide the logs.
- B
Enable detailed logging on the IdP for all authentication attempts and forward those logs to the SIEM for monitoring
The IdP can log failed attempts; forwarding to the SIEM provides the needed visibility.
- C
Configure the cloud platform to require re-authentication for every session and log all authentication events locally
Why wrong: This would still rely on the platform's logging, which the vendor says cannot log failed attempts.
- D
Implement a stricter password policy for the IdP to reduce the risk of brute-force attacks
Why wrong: While a strong password policy is good, it does not provide visibility into attacks.
Quick Answer
The answer is to enable detailed logging on the IdP for all authentication attempts and forward those logs to the SIEM. This is correct because in a SAML 2.0 federated environment, the identity provider is the authoritative source for all authentication events, including failed logins; the cloud platform only receives and logs successful SAML assertions, so it cannot capture brute-force attempts. On the CISA exam, this scenario tests your understanding of federated identity architecture and the principle that audit responsibility follows the control point—a common trap is assuming the service provider can log what it never sees. Remember that in SAML, the IdP holds the keys to the kingdom for authentication visibility. A useful memory tip is "IdP logs the flops"—the identity provider is where you must look for failed login attempts.
CISA Protection of Information Assets Practice Question
This CISA practice question tests your understanding of protection of information assets. 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.
A multinational corporation is deploying a new cloud-based collaboration platform for its 5,000 employees. The platform will store sensitive project data and intellectual property. The CISO mandates that all data must be encrypted at rest and in transit, and that access must be controlled via the company's identity provider (IdP) using SAML 2.0. During a pilot with the R&D department, the security team discovers that the platform's audit logs do not record failed login attempts from the IdP. The platform vendor states that the IdP is responsible for authentication, so the platform only logs successful assertions. The CISO is concerned about the lack of visibility into brute-force attacks. The company already has a SIEM that receives logs from the IdP and other sources. What is the BEST course of action?
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
Enable detailed logging on the IdP for all authentication attempts and forward those logs to the SIEM for monitoring
Option B is correct because the IdP is the authoritative source for authentication events in a SAML 2.0 federated identity model. The cloud platform only receives and logs successful SAML assertions, so it cannot log failed login attempts. Enabling detailed logging on the IdP for all authentication attempts (successes and failures) and forwarding those logs to the SIEM provides the necessary visibility into brute-force attacks without changing the platform or architecture.
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.
- ✗
Replace the cloud platform with one that provides built-in authentication logging
Why it's wrong here
Switching platforms is costly and may not be feasible; the IdP can provide the logs.
- ✓
Enable detailed logging on the IdP for all authentication attempts and forward those logs to the SIEM for monitoring
Why this is correct
The IdP can log failed attempts; forwarding to the SIEM provides the needed visibility.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Configure the cloud platform to require re-authentication for every session and log all authentication events locally
Why it's wrong here
This would still rely on the platform's logging, which the vendor says cannot log failed attempts.
- ✗
Implement a stricter password policy for the IdP to reduce the risk of brute-force attacks
Why it's wrong here
While a strong password policy is good, it does not provide visibility into attacks.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume the cloud platform should handle all logging, but in a SAML 2.0 federation, the IdP is the sole source of authentication event logs, and the platform only logs successful assertions.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In SAML 2.0 federated authentication, the IdP generates a SAML assertion only after successful authentication; the service provider (cloud platform) never sees failed authentication requests. The IdP should be configured to log all AuthenticationRequest messages and responses, including SAMLResponse with Status codes like 'urn:oasis:names:tc:SAML:2.0:status:AuthnFailed'. Forwarding these logs to a SIEM enables correlation of failed attempts across multiple users and detection of brute-force patterns, which is a key control in the 'Protection of Information Assets' domain.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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 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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Protection of Information Assets — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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Targeted practice on this topic area only
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CISA question test?
Protection of Information Assets — This question tests Protection of Information Assets — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable detailed logging on the IdP for all authentication attempts and forward those logs to the SIEM for monitoring — Option B is correct because the IdP is the authoritative source for authentication events in a SAML 2.0 federated identity model. The cloud platform only receives and logs successful SAML assertions, so it cannot log failed login attempts. Enabling detailed logging on the IdP for all authentication attempts (successes and failures) and forwarding those logs to the SIEM provides the necessary visibility into brute-force attacks without changing the platform or architecture.
What should I do if I get this CISA question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 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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