CISM Information Security Programme Practice Question
An organization is implementing a vendor risk management program. A vendor that provides cloud-based HR services will have access to employee PII. According to industry best practices, what should be the first step in the vendor lifecycle?
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
✓
Perform a risk assessment of the vendor
The first step is to perform a risk assessment based on the vendor's data access and service criticality to determine the appropriate level of due diligence. This aligns with the NIST framework for third-party risk management.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Include security requirements in the contract
Why it's wrong here
Contract requirements come after risk assessment confirms the need.
- ✓
Perform a risk assessment of the vendor
Why this is correct
Risk assessment is the first step to tier the vendor and scope due diligence.
- ✗
Request the vendor's SOC 2 report
Why it's wrong here
SOC 2 reports are reviewed during due diligence, not as a first step.
- ✗
Conduct an onsite audit of the vendor
Why it's wrong here
Onsite audits are performed later if needed based on risk.
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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.