easyMultiple Choice
CISA Practice Question: Which IT sourcing model involves using an…
Which IT sourcing model involves using an external provider to manage some IT functions while retaining others in-house?
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
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Co-sourcing
Co-sourcing is a hybrid model where certain IT functions are outsourced and others are kept in-house.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Cloud services
Why it's wrong here
Cloud services supply specific hosted capabilities, not a sourcing model that splits IT functions between an external provider and retained in-house staff. It is tempting because cloud does involve an external provider, but the hybrid arrangement described is selective outsourcing, not cloud service consumption.
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Co-sourcing
Why this is correct
Co-sourcing splits IT functions between an external provider and internal staff, directly satisfying the stem's requirement to retain some functions in-house while outsourcing others. Unlike full outsourcing, which transfers entire IT operations, or insourcing, which keeps everything internal, co-sourcing shares responsibility, making it the precise fit.
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Insourcing
Why it's wrong here
Insourcing keeps IT functions within the organisation using internal staff, so no external provider manages any function. It is tempting because it contrasts with outsourcing, but the stem explicitly requires an external provider for part of the work, which insourcing excludes.
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Outsourcing
Why it's wrong here
Outsourcing transfers entire IT functions to an external provider, whereas the stem describes retaining some functions in-house. It is tempting because an external provider is involved, but the defining feature here is the split between external and internal management, which is selective outsourcing.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.