Quick Answer
The answer is that security objectives may be overridden by IT operational goals. This is the primary risk of a CISO reporting to the CIO because the CIO’s mandate is to ensure system uptime, cost efficiency, and project delivery, which can directly conflict with security controls that introduce friction or delay. In the CISM exam, this scenario tests your understanding of governance and the principle that security must maintain independent authority to enforce risk-based decisions without being subordinated to IT’s performance metrics. A common trap is choosing “budget control” or “compliance gaps,” but the core issue is that operational priorities will consistently pressure security to accept higher risk for the sake of speed or cost savings. Remember the memory tip: “Ops trumps security when the CIO signs the check.”
This CISM practice question tests your understanding of information security governance. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A company is restructuring its security governance due to rapid growth. The CISO reports to the CIO. What is the PRIMARY risk of this reporting structure?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "primary"
Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
Compliance with regulations may become difficult
Why wrong: Not directly impacted.
The security budget may be insufficient
Why wrong: Possible but not the primary risk.
Cooperation between IT and security may decrease
Why wrong: May improve, not decrease.
Security objectives may be overridden by IT operational goals
Conflict of interest reduces independence.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Security objectives may be overridden by IT operational goals
Option B is correct because security performance may be subordinated to IT operational priorities. Option A is wrong as budget control may exist but is secondary. Option C is wrong as compliance is not directly affected. Option D is wrong because cooperation can still exist.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Compliance with regulations may become difficult
Why it's wrong here
Not directly impacted.
The security budget may be insufficient
Why it's wrong here
Possible but not the primary risk.
Cooperation between IT and security may decrease
Why it's wrong here
May improve, not decrease.
Security objectives may be overridden by IT operational goals
Why this is correct
Conflict of interest reduces independence.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
Common exam traps
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related CISM NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
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FAQ
Information Security Governance — This question tests Information Security Governance — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
The correct answer is: Security objectives may be overridden by IT operational goals — Option B is correct because security performance may be subordinated to IT operational priorities. Option A is wrong as budget control may exist but is secondary. Option C is wrong as compliance is not directly affected. Option D is wrong because cooperation can still exist.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related CISM NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Yes — watch for: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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.
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