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CISA Practice Question: Which TWO of the following are primary objectives…
Which TWO of the following are primary objectives of an information system audit?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to confuse operational or management responsibilities (like performance tuning or patch implementation) with the auditor's role of evaluating controls and identifying process improvements, leading candidates to select options that describe IT tasks rather than audit objectives.
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
✓
Identify areas for improvement in IT processes
Identifying areas for improvement in IT processes is a primary objective of an information system audit. The audit evaluates the design and operational effectiveness of controls, then recommends enhancements to align IT processes with business goals, risk appetite, and regulatory requirements. This goes beyond mere compliance to drive continuous improvement in governance and control frameworks.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Ensure optimal performance of IT systems
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Performance optimization is not a primary audit objective; audits focus on control and compliance.
- ✗
Implement security patches and updates
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Implementation is an operational task, not an audit objective.
- ✓
Identify areas for improvement in IT processes
Why this is correct
Correct: IS audits aim to recommend improvements.
- ✓
Evaluate the effectiveness of internal controls
Why this is correct
Correct: This is a core objective of an IS audit.
- ✗
Prepare financial statements for external reporting
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Financial statement preparation is management's role, not an audit objective.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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