CISM Information Security Programme Practice Question
A security manager is selecting a controls framework for a new organization. Which framework provides the most granular control families and is widely used for US federal agencies?
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
✓
NIST SP 800-53
NIST SP 800-53 is a comprehensive catalog of controls organized into families, commonly used by US federal agencies and many private organizations.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
CIS Controls v8
Why it's wrong here
CIS Controls are prioritized but less granular.
- ✗
ISO 27001 Annex A
Why it's wrong here
ISO 27001 is international but has fewer controls than NIST SP 800-53.
- ✓
NIST SP 800-53
Why this is correct
It contains over 1,000 controls in 20 families.
- ✗
COBIT 2019
Why it's wrong here
COBIT is a governance framework, not a control catalog.
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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.