CISM Information Security Programme Practice Question
An organization uses ISO 27001 Annex A controls. During a risk assessment, they identify a need for a compensating control because the primary control is not feasible. What should the security manager do FIRST?
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
✓
Document the risk and obtain management approval for the compensating control
Compensating controls require formal acceptance of the residual risk and approval by management to ensure accountability.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Accept the risk without any control
Why it's wrong here
Acceptance is an option, but compensating controls should be considered first.
- ✗
Remove the asset from scope
Why it's wrong here
Scope reduction may not be feasible or desired.
- ✓
Document the risk and obtain management approval for the compensating control
Why this is correct
Formal risk acceptance ensures due diligence and management buy-in.
- ✗
Implement the compensating control immediately
Why it's wrong here
Without risk acceptance, the control might not be justified.
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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.