Quick Answer
The answer is NIST SP 800-61. This framework is the correct primary reference because it is the definitive U.S. government standard for the incident response lifecycle, providing structured, step-by-step guidance across preparation, detection and analysis, containment and eradication, and post-incident activity. On the CISM exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between frameworks: while ISO 27035 covers incident management broadly and ITIL focuses on service management, NIST SP 800-61 is the specific, process-oriented guide for hands-on incident handling. A common trap is confusing it with NIST’s risk management framework (SP 800-37) or the cybersecurity framework (CSF), but remember that 800-61 is exclusively about the incident response process. For a memory tip, think “61 = 6 phases of incident handling” (preparation, detection, containment, eradication, recovery, lessons learned) to lock in the correct choice.
This CISM practice question tests your understanding of incident management. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
An organization is developing an incident response plan. The CISO wants to ensure that the plan aligns with industry best practices. Which framework should the CISO use as a primary reference?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Clue: "primary"
Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
ISO 31000
Why wrong: ISO 31000 is for risk management, not incident response.
NIST Cybersecurity Framework
Why wrong: The CSF includes incident response but is broader; SP 800-61 is more detailed for incident handling.
ITIL
Why wrong: ITIL focuses on service management, not incident response specifics.
NIST SP 800-61
NIST SP 800-61 is the standard for computer security incident handling.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
NIST SP 800-61
NIST SP 800-61 (Computer Security Incident Handling Guide) is the definitive U.S. government standard for incident response processes, covering preparation, detection, containment, eradication, and recovery. It provides detailed, step-by-step guidance for building an incident response plan, making it the primary reference for aligning with industry best practices.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
ISO 31000
Why it's wrong here
ISO 31000 is for risk management, not incident response.
NIST Cybersecurity Framework
Why it's wrong here
The CSF includes incident response but is broader; SP 800-61 is more detailed for incident handling.
ITIL
Why it's wrong here
ITIL focuses on service management, not incident response specifics.
NIST SP 800-61
Why this is correct
NIST SP 800-61 is the standard for computer security incident handling.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "best", "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates confuse the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (a broad risk management tool) with NIST SP 800-61 (the specific incident response standard), or they mistakenly think ITIL's 'incident management' covers security incidents when it is designed for IT service disruptions, not security breaches.
Detailed technical explanation
NIST SP 800-61 Rev. 2 explicitly defines four phases of incident response: Preparation, Detection & Analysis, Containment/Eradication/Recovery, and Post-Incident Activity. It includes specific guidance on forming a Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT), handling evidence chain-of-custody, and coordinating with external parties like law enforcement. In a real-world scenario, a CISO using NIST SP 800-61 would ensure the plan includes playbooks for common attack types (e.g., ransomware, DDoS) and defines communication escalation paths, which are absent in the broader frameworks.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the CISM exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Incident Management — This question tests Incident Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: NIST SP 800-61 — NIST SP 800-61 (Computer Security Incident Handling Guide) is the definitive U.S. government standard for incident response processes, covering preparation, detection, containment, eradication, and recovery. It provides detailed, step-by-step guidance for building an incident response plan, making it the primary reference for aligning with industry best practices.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "best", "primary". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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.
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