The correct answer is containerization, which is a commonly accepted practice for securing mobile devices in an enterprise environment because it creates a separate, encrypted workspace that isolates corporate data from personal data, often enforced through Mobile Device Management solutions using sandboxing and per-container encryption like AES-256. This approach directly supports BYOD programs by allowing remote wipe of only the corporate container without invading user privacy. On the CISA exam, this tests your understanding of how mobile device security practices balance data protection with usability, and a common trap is confusing containerization with full device encryption—remember, containerization is selective, not total. For a memory tip, think "CAGE": Containerization, Authentication (complex passwords), and Granular wipe are the three pillars of enterprise mobile security.
CISA Protection of Information Assets Practice Question
This CISA practice question tests your understanding of protection of information assets. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 THREE of the following are commonly accepted practices for securing mobile devices in an enterprise environment?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use containerization for corporate data
Containerization (Option B) is a commonly accepted practice for securing mobile devices in an enterprise environment because it creates a separate, encrypted workspace on the device that isolates corporate data and applications from personal data. This approach, often implemented through Mobile Device Management (MDM) or Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) solutions, uses technologies like sandboxing and per-container encryption (e.g., AES-256) to prevent data leakage between the corporate and personal environments. It allows the enterprise to enforce security policies (e.g., remote wipe of only the container) without compromising the user's personal privacy, which is a key requirement for BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) programs.
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.
✗
Install antivirus on all devices
Why it's wrong here
Antivirus may be recommended but is not universally required; many mobile OS have built-in protections.
✓
Use containerization for corporate data
Why this is correct
Correct. Containerization separates corporate and personal data, enabling selective controls.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Enable remote wipe capability
Why this is correct
Correct. Remote wipe allows erasure of corporate data if the device is lost or stolen.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Disable all third-party apps
Why it's wrong here
This is overly restrictive and not a common practice; it hinders usability.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'best practice' with 'maximum security' and incorrectly select Option D (disable all third-party apps) as a valid control, failing to recognize that enterprise security requires balancing usability with risk management, and that containerization is the standard approach for BYOD environments.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Containerization works by creating a separate partition or using a secure enclave (e.g., Android Work Profile or iOS Managed Open In) that enforces encryption at rest (e.g., File-Based Encryption on Android 10+ or Data Protection on iOS) and restricts data sharing between containers through inter-process communication controls. In a real-world scenario, if a user's personal device is lost, the enterprise can issue a selective wipe command (e.g., via MDM using the OMA-DM protocol) that removes only the corporate container and its data, leaving the user's personal photos, messages, and apps intact. This granular control is critical for compliance with data privacy regulations like GDPR, where the enterprise must avoid accessing or deleting personal data.
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 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
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 — 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: Use containerization for corporate data — Containerization (Option B) is a commonly accepted practice for securing mobile devices in an enterprise environment because it creates a separate, encrypted workspace on the device that isolates corporate data and applications from personal data. This approach, often implemented through Mobile Device Management (MDM) or Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) solutions, uses technologies like sandboxing and per-container encryption (e.g., AES-256) to prevent data leakage between the corporate and personal environments. It allows the enterprise to enforce security policies (e.g., remote wipe of only the container) without compromising the user's personal privacy, which is a key requirement for BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) programs.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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