CISM Information Security Governance Practice Question
A policy exception management process allows a business unit to temporarily deviate from a security policy. What is the MOST important requirement for such an exception?
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
✓
Implementation of compensating controls
Compensating controls are essential to mitigate the risk of the exception, ensuring the organization's risk posture is acceptable.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Documentation of the exception
Why it's wrong here
Documentation is necessary but not the most important.
- ✓
Implementation of compensating controls
Why this is correct
Compensating controls reduce risk to an acceptable level.
- ✗
Approval by the CISO only
Why it's wrong here
Business leadership should also be involved.
- ✗
A fixed expiration date
Why it's wrong here
While important, compensating controls are more critical.
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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.