CISM Information Security Programme Practice Question
A company is selecting a security control framework. They want a prioritized set of controls that are implementation group-based and address common cyber threats. Which framework best meets these requirements?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap is selecting a well-known framework like NIST or ISO without noting the specific requirement for 'implementation group-based' prioritization, which is unique to CIS Controls v8.
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
✓
CIS Controls v8
CIS Controls v8 provides a prioritized set of actions that collectively form a defense-in-depth set of best practices to mitigate the most common cyber attacks. It is organized into Implementation Groups (IG1, IG2, IG3) based on organizational risk and resources, making it the framework that best meets the requirement for prioritized, implementation group-based controls addressing common threats.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
COBIT 2019
Why it's wrong here
COBIT 2019 provides governance and management objectives for enterprise IT, not a prioritised, implementation-group-based control set mapped to common cyber threats. It is tempting because COBIT is a recognised IT governance framework, and it would suit organisations aligning IT objectives with business strategy rather than selecting threat-focused safeguards.
- ✗
NIST SP 800-53
Why it's wrong here
NIST SP 800-53 is a broad catalogue of controls without implementation-group prioritisation; it is not organised into IG1-IG3 tiers. It suits federal and high-assurance control baselines, whereas the CIS Critical Security Controls provide the prioritised, threat-focused grouping described.
- ✗
ISO 27001 Annex A
Why it's wrong here
ISO 27001 Annex A lists controls by domain without prioritisation or implementation groups; it is a certifiable ISMS requirements standard. It is tempting because Annex A is a widely recognised control catalogue, and it would be the right choice when building or auditing an ISO 27001-conformant management system rather than adopting a tiered, threat-driven baseline.
- ✓
CIS Controls v8
Why this is correct
CIS Controls v8 maps its prioritised safeguards into Implementation Groups IG1, IG2 and IG3, letting organisations sequence controls by maturity and risk. It also targets the most common cyber threats, satisfying both the IG-based and common-threat requirements named in the stem.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official ISACA exam blueprint
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.