CISM Information Security Programme Practice Question
A CISO is building a security operations center (SOC). Which TWO of the following are primary functions of a SOC?
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
✓
Continuous monitoring of security events and alerts.
A SOC's core functions are monitoring for threats and responding to incidents. Vulnerability management and architecture are separate functions.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Continuous monitoring of security events and alerts.
Why this is correct
Monitoring is a key SOC function.
- ✗
Conducting penetration tests of critical applications.
Why it's wrong here
Pen testing is a separate assessment function.
- ✗
Performing vulnerability scans and patch management.
Why it's wrong here
Often part of vulnerability management, not SOC.
- ✓
Incident detection and response.
Why this is correct
Detection and response are core SOC activities.
- ✗
Developing secure coding standards for developers.
Why it's wrong here
This is an application security function.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CISM 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 CISM exam.