CISM Information Security Programme Practice Question
An organization is implementing a security controls framework based on NIST SP 800-53. The CISO wants to prioritize controls that will provide the greatest risk reduction for critical assets. Which approach should be used to select the initial set of controls?
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
✓
Apply the critical controls first, focusing on those that address the highest risks.
Applying critical controls first, such as those from the CIS Critical Security Controls, ensures that the most impactful controls are implemented early to reduce risk.
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 all controls from the framework to achieve full compliance.
Why it's wrong here
Selecting all controls may be infeasible and not risk-based.
- ✗
Implement business-enabling controls before any other controls.
Why it's wrong here
Business-enabling controls may not address the highest risks first.
- ✓
Apply the critical controls first, focusing on those that address the highest risks.
Why this is correct
Critical controls provide the most risk reduction.
- ✗
Choose compensating controls to replace all technical controls.
Why it's wrong here
Compensating controls are alternatives, not a prioritization strategy.
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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.