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CISM Practice Question: After a merger, two companies with different…
After a merger, two companies with different security cultures are being integrated. What is the BEST approach for the information security manager to achieve a unified governance structure?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates assume the acquiring company's framework should dominate (Option C) due to organizational hierarchy, but CISM emphasizes that effective governance requires cultural integration and stakeholder alignment, not unilateral imposition.
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
✓
Develop a new framework incorporating strengths from both companies
Merging two distinct security cultures requires a deliberate, collaborative approach that leverages the best practices from both organizations. Developing a new framework that incorporates strengths from both companies ensures buy-in from stakeholders and creates a unified governance structure that is tailored to the combined entity's risk profile, rather than imposing one side's culture or waiting for an uncertain natural convergence.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Implement a regulatory framework as the baseline
Why it's wrong here
Regulatory minimum may not address all needs.
- ✗
Maintain separate frameworks until a natural convergence occurs
Why it's wrong here
Delays integration and increases risk.
- ✗
Adopt the security framework of the acquiring company
Why it's wrong here
May create cultural resistance and misalignment.
- ✓
Develop a new framework incorporating strengths from both companies
Why this is correct
Fosters buy-in and leverages existing capabilities.
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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.