The answer is to review the system configuration and compare with user requirements. This is the correct first step in a post-implementation review because any output discrepancy, such as missing critical reports, must be traced back to whether the system was built and configured to match the documented user specifications. Without this baseline verification, the auditor cannot determine if the issue stems from a configuration error, a requirement gap, or a data problem. On the CISA exam, this question tests your understanding of the logical sequence in a post-implementation review, where verifying configuration against requirements always precedes deeper testing or re-training recommendations. A common trap is jumping to retraining or re-running user acceptance testing, but those steps are premature until the configuration alignment is confirmed. Memory tip: think “Config first, fix later”—always check the build against the blueprint before troubleshooting the output.
CISA Practice Question: Information Systems Acquisition, Development and Implementation
This CISA practice question tests your understanding of information systems acquisition, development and implementation. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 a post-implementation review of a financial system, an IS auditor finds that several critical reports are not being generated correctly. Which of the following should the auditor recommend FIRST?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Review the system configuration and compare with user requirements.
Option A is correct because verifying the system configuration against user requirements is the logical first step. Option B may be needed later; C is premature; D is incorrect as acceptance testing should have been done earlier.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Conduct a new round of user acceptance testing.
Why it's wrong here
UAT should have been completed before go-live.
✓
Review the system configuration and compare with user requirements.
Why this is correct
This directly addresses the root cause of incorrect reports.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Disable the incorrect reports and create manual workarounds.
Why it's wrong here
Manual workarounds do not resolve the underlying problem.
✗
Immediately patch the system to fix the report generation.
Why it's wrong here
Patches may not address configuration issues.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related CISA NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Information Systems Acquisition, Development and Implementation — This question tests Information Systems Acquisition, Development and Implementation — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Review the system configuration and compare with user requirements. — Option A is correct because verifying the system configuration against user requirements is the logical first step. Option B may be needed later; C is premature; D is incorrect as acceptance testing should have been done earlier.
What should I do if I get this CISA question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related CISA NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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