CISM Information Security Program Practice Question
A multinational corporation is designing a global information security program. Which governance structure best ensures consistent security while allowing regional flexibility?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to confuse 'federated governance' with 'decentralized governance' (Option D). In the context of ISACA CISM, federated governance enforces a mandatory global baseline (e.g., security standards, risk management framework) while permitting local adaptation to comply with regional laws and operational needs. Decentralized governance lacks any central authority or consistent standards, which is unacceptable for a global program.
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
✓
Federated governance: global standards with local implementation and oversight.
Federated governance (Option C) is the correct choice because it establishes a global security framework with mandatory standards (e.g., ISO 27001 controls, encryption baselines like AES-256) while delegating implementation and oversight to regional units. This structure balances consistency with local legal requirements (e.g., GDPR in Europe, PIPL in China) and operational needs, avoiding the rigidity of full centralization or the fragmentation of full decentralization.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Outsource security governance to a managed security service provider (MSSP).
Why it's wrong here
Loss of internal control and strategic alignment with business.
- ✗
Fully centralized security governance with global standards enforced uniformly.
Why it's wrong here
May conflict with local laws and be less responsive to regional risks.
- ✓
Federated governance: global standards with local implementation and oversight.
Why this is correct
Provides consistency while allowing adaptations for local regulations and culture.
- ✗
Fully decentralized security governance, each region independent.
Why it's wrong here
Inconsistent protection and lack of global visibility/coordination.
Quick reference
Symmetric Encryption Algorithm Comparison
| Algorithm | Key Size | Block Size | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AES-128 | 128-bit | 128-bit | Current standard | NIST approved; WPA3, TLS |
| AES-256 | 256-bit | 128-bit | Current standard | Preferred for sensitive / govt data |
| 3DES | 112-bit effective | 64-bit | Deprecated (2023) | Replaced by AES |
| DES | 56-bit | 64-bit | Broken | Cracked in < 24 h; never deploy |
| ChaCha20 | 256-bit | Stream cipher | Current | TLS 1.3, WireGuard |
Go deeper
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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.