CISM Information Security Programme Practice Question
An organization is implementing an identity and access management (IAM) program. Which THREE of the following are key components of a mature IAM program?
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
✓
Role-based access control (RBAC) aligned with job functions.
Mature IAM includes lifecycle management (provisioning/de-provisioning), role-based access control (RBAC), and periodic access reviews to ensure least privilege.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Biometric authentication for all users.
Why it's wrong here
Biometrics are an authentication method, not a program component.
- ✓
Role-based access control (RBAC) aligned with job functions.
Why this is correct
RBAC simplifies access management.
- ✓
Quarterly access reviews for critical systems.
Why this is correct
Reviews validate that access is appropriate.
- ✗
Single sign-on (SSO) for all cloud applications.
Why it's wrong here
SSO is a convenience feature, not a core IAM component.
- ✓
Automated provisioning and de-provisioning of user accounts.
Why this is correct
Automation ensures timely access changes.
Quick reference
Access Control Model Comparison
| Model | Acronym | Who Controls Access? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discretionary Access Control | DAC | Resource owner | Small teams, file shares |
| Mandatory Access Control | MAC | System / security labels | Classified govt / military |
| Role-Based Access Control | RBAC | Administrator (via roles) | Enterprise environments |
| Attribute-Based Access Control | ABAC | Policy engine (user + resource attributes) | Fine-grained, dynamic policies |
| Rule-Based Access Control | RuBAC | System rules / ACLs | Firewall rules, network ACLs |
Go deeper
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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.