CISM Information Security Programme Practice Question
A CISO is designing the security organization for a financial services firm. Which reporting structure is most likely to ensure the independence and authority of the information security function?
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
✓
Reporting to the CEO or board of directors
Reporting to the CEO or board provides independence from operational pressures, allowing the CISO to enforce security without conflict of interest. Reporting to the CIO can create conflicts, as security may be subordinated to IT goals. Reporting to legal or risk committees may lack operational authority.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Reporting to the CEO or board of directors
Why this is correct
Provides independence and authority, aligning security with business strategy.
- ✗
Reporting to the risk committee
Why it's wrong here
Can dilute security authority as one of many risks.
- ✗
Reporting to the CIO
Why it's wrong here
This can create conflicts of interest and reduce independence.
- ✗
Reporting to the chief legal officer
Why it's wrong here
May limit focus to compliance rather than broader security risks.
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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.