CISM Information Security Programme Practice Question
A security manager is developing metrics for the executive dashboard. Which combination of metrics provides a balanced view of security program performance?
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
✓
Phishing click rate and mean time to detect (MTTD)
A balanced dashboard should include both leading and lagging indicators to show current effectiveness and past outcomes.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Phishing click rate and mean time to detect (MTTD)
Why this is correct
Phishing click rate is a leading indicator; MTTD is a lagging indicator, providing balance.
- ✗
Budget spent and number of security tools deployed
Why it's wrong here
These are operational metrics, not performance indicators.
- ✗
Patch compliance percentage and number of phishing simulation clicks
Why it's wrong here
Both are leading indicators; missing lagging indicators.
- ✗
Number of security incidents and mean time to respond (MTTR)
Why it's wrong here
Both are lagging indicators; missing leading indicators.
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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.