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CISA Practice Question: Which TWO of the following are key components of…
Which TWO of the following are key components of an effective information security awareness program?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to confuse operational security controls (like log reviews and vulnerability scans) with awareness program components, but the exam specifically tests the distinction between technical controls and human-focused training activities.
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
✓
Mandatory training for all employees
Mandatory training for all employees ensures that every user understands their security responsibilities, recognizes threats like phishing, and follows organizational policies. This is a foundational element of an awareness program as defined by frameworks such as NIST SP 800-50, which emphasizes that awareness and training must be tailored to roles and delivered to all personnel. Without mandatory participation, coverage gaps leave the organization vulnerable to social engineering and policy violations.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Periodic review of security logs
Why it's wrong here
Log review is an operational control, not an awareness activity.
- ✗
Annual password change policy
Why it's wrong here
This is a technical or policy control, not a component of awareness training.
- ✓
Mandatory training for all employees
Why this is correct
Correct. Training is the foundation of an awareness program.
- ✗
Regular vulnerability scans
Why it's wrong here
Vulnerability scanning is a technical control, not awareness.
- ✓
Phishing simulation exercises
Why this is correct
Correct. Phishing simulations educate users and test their responses.
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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.