- A
Select all controls from NIST SP 800-53 without prioritization
Why wrong: Implementation must be prioritized to manage resources effectively.
- B
Deploy business-enabling controls that support operations
Why wrong: Business-enabling controls are important but not the first priority.
- C
Implement compensating controls to address gaps in existing controls
Why wrong: Compensating controls are secondary, not primary.
- D
Prioritize critical controls that address the most significant risks
Critical controls form the foundation of defense-in-depth.
Question 904 of 905
CISM Information Security Programme Practice Question
This CISM practice question tests your understanding of information security programme. 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 implementing a security controls framework and must decide on prioritization. According to defense-in-depth principles, which approach should be taken first?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"first"Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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
✓
Prioritize critical controls that address the most significant risks
Defense-in-depth starts with critical controls that protect against the most likely threats, often following frameworks like CIS Critical Controls, which prioritize foundational controls.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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 NIST SP 800-53 without prioritization
Why it's wrong here
Implementation must be prioritized to manage resources effectively.
- ✗
Deploy business-enabling controls that support operations
Why it's wrong here
Business-enabling controls are important but not the first priority.
- ✗
Implement compensating controls to address gaps in existing controls
Why it's wrong here
Compensating controls are secondary, not primary.
- ✓
Prioritize critical controls that address the most significant risks
Why this is correct
Critical controls form the foundation of defense-in-depth.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which CISM exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
- →
Information Security Programme — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CISM question test?
Information Security Programme — This question tests Information Security Programme — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Prioritize critical controls that address the most significant risks — Defense-in-depth starts with critical controls that protect against the most likely threats, often following frameworks like CIS Critical Controls, which prioritize foundational controls.
What should I do if I get this CISM question wrong?
Identify which CISM exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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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