CISM Information Security Programme Practice Question
A security manager is selecting controls for a new application. Which of the following is the BEST approach for prioritization?
⚠ Common exam trap
CISM often tests the misconception that vendor best practices or ease of implementation should drive control selection, but the exam consistently emphasizes risk-based decision-making as the primary driver.
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
✓
Prioritize critical controls that address the highest risks
Risk-based prioritization ensures that security resources are focused on the threats and vulnerabilities that could cause the most harm to the organization. By identifying and addressing the highest risks first, the security manager aligns controls with business objectives and maximizes risk reduction per unit of effort. This approach is a core principle of CISM and is consistent with frameworks like NIST RMF and ISO 27005.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Select controls based on vendor recommendations
Why it's wrong here
Vendor guidance reflects the product's generic threat model, not this application's data classification, exposure or regulatory obligations, so controls addressing its actual risks may be omitted. It is tempting because vendor baselines are quick and authoritative-looking, and would suffice where no bespoke risk assessment is feasible.
- ✗
Implement controls in the order of ease of deployment
Why it's wrong here
Ordering by deployment ease lets low-risk, trivial controls consume the schedule while high-impact exposures wait, decoupling sequencing from risk severity. It appeals because quick wins show visible progress, and it would be right for a low-risk system where all identified controls carry equivalent risk weight.
- ✓
Prioritize critical controls that address the highest risks
Why this is correct
Prioritising controls by highest risk ensures limited effort targets exposures with the greatest potential impact, aligning control selection with the application's threat profile. This satisfies the need for a defensible, risk-based prioritisation method rather than technology-driven choices.
- ✗
Implement all controls simultaneously
Why it's wrong here
Implementing every control at once ignores risk ranking, so effort is spread across low-impact areas while critical exposures remain unaddressed during rollout. It appeals because completeness feels thorough, and it would fit a small application with few, equally weighted controls and ample resources.
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About these practice questions
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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.