CISM Information Security Programme Practice Question
An organization is defining objectives and key results (OKRs) for the security program. Which TWO of the following are examples of leading indicators that could be used as key results?
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
Leading indicators are proactive and predictive. Phishing click rate (user behavior) and patch compliance (vulnerability management) are leading indicators.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Number of security incidents
Why it's wrong here
This is a lagging indicator.
- ✓
Phishing click rate
Why this is correct
Correct. Leading indicator of user awareness.
- ✗
Mean time to respond (MTTR)
Why it's wrong here
MTTR is a lagging indicator.
- ✗
Number of data breaches
Why it's wrong here
This is a lagging indicator.
- ✓
Patch compliance percentage
Why this is correct
Correct. Leading indicator of vulnerability management effectiveness.
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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.