CISM Information Security Programme Practice Question
An organization's CISO reports to the CIO. The CISO is concerned that security initiatives are often deprioritized due to conflicts of interest. Which reporting structure would best address this concern?
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
✓
Reporting to the board or risk committee
Reporting to the board or a risk committee provides independent oversight and reduces conflicts inherent in reporting to IT or operations.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Reporting to the CEO
Why it's wrong here
Independence is improved but CEO may lack risk management focus.
- ✗
Reporting to the COO
Why it's wrong here
May still have conflicts with operational priorities.
- ✓
Reporting to the board or risk committee
Why this is correct
This ensures independent oversight and alignment with risk appetite.
- ✗
Reporting to the CFO
Why it's wrong here
While independent, CFO may focus on cost rather than security 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.