CISM Information Security Programme Practice Question
An organization's third-party risk management program has been in place for two years. Which of the following is the MOST critical action to ensure the program remains effective?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse 'maintaining a list' (a static, necessary but insufficient step) with the active, risk-driven monitoring required to keep the program effective over time.
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
✓
Implementing continuous monitoring of high-risk vendors
Continuous monitoring of high-risk vendors is the most critical action because it provides real-time or near-real-time visibility into security posture changes, such as new vulnerabilities, configuration drifts, or breach indicators, which static annual assessments cannot catch. This aligns with the NIST SP 800-137 framework for continuous monitoring and is essential for adapting to evolving threats in a third-party ecosystem.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Conducting a one-time risk assessment before contract signing
Why it's wrong here
A one-time assessment does not capture changes over time.
- ✗
Performing annual reassessments for all vendors
Why it's wrong here
Annual reassessments may miss changes that occur between assessments.
- ✗
Maintaining a list of all vendors and their criticality
Why it's wrong here
A list alone does not manage risk; monitoring is needed.
- ✓
Implementing continuous monitoring of high-risk vendors
Why this is correct
Continuous monitoring detects changes promptly, reducing risk exposure.
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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.