CISM Information Security Programme Practice Question
A security manager needs to justify an increase in the security budget. Which approach provides the strongest quantitative justification?
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
✓
Showing the return on investment using avoided breach costs
Quantifying the financial impact of risks avoided (e.g., using annualized loss expectancy) provides a compelling business case.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Comparing the budget to industry benchmarks
Why it's wrong here
Benchmarks provide context but not direct financial justification.
- ✗
Presenting the number of vulnerabilities discovered
Why it's wrong here
Volume alone does not translate to financial impact.
- ✓
Showing the return on investment using avoided breach costs
Why this is correct
ROI based on avoided losses is a strong financial argument.
- ✗
Listing all pending compliance requirements
Why it's wrong here
Compliance is important but may not quantify the value of additional spending.
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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.