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CISM Practice Question: A company has recently adopted COBIT 2019 as its…
A company has recently adopted COBIT 2019 as its governance framework. The board is requesting a concise report on the effectiveness of the security program. Which reporting structure best aligns with COBIT's guidance?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently confuse operational reporting (incidents, vulnerabilities, compliance checklists) with the strategic, goal-aligned reporting that COBIT requires for governance-level communication to the board.
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
✓
Dashboard showing alignment of security goals with enterprise goals, using KRIs and KPIs
COBIT 2019 emphasizes the alignment of IT and security goals with enterprise goals through a cascading goals cascade. A dashboard that maps security goals to enterprise goals using Key Risk Indicators (KRIs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) directly reflects this principle, providing a concise, strategic view of program effectiveness rather than operational details.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
List of all security incidents and their impacts
Why it's wrong here
This is operational, not governance-focused.
- ✓
Dashboard showing alignment of security goals with enterprise goals, using KRIs and KPIs
Why this is correct
This directly addresses COBIT's governance objectives.
- ✗
Compliance status with all applicable regulations
Why it's wrong here
While important, it is only one aspect of governance.
- ✗
Detailed technical vulnerabilities discovered during penetration tests
Why it's wrong here
Too technical; governance reports should be at the enterprise level.
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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.