CISM Incident Management Practice Question
During a data breach investigation, legal counsel instructs the forensics team to preserve evidence under attorney-client privilege. Which of the following actions is most critical to maintain that privilege?
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
✓
Limit distribution of forensic reports to individuals with a need-to-know and under legal direction
To preserve attorney-client privilege, communications and work product must be kept confidential and not shared with third parties unless protected by common interest or waiver.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Use a separate, isolated network for forensic analysis
Why it's wrong here
Isolation is a technical control, not directly related to legal privilege.
- ✓
Limit distribution of forensic reports to individuals with a need-to-know and under legal direction
Why this is correct
Controlling access and keeping communications within the legal team helps protect privilege.
- ✗
Encrypt all forensic images with a strong algorithm
Why it's wrong here
Encryption protects data but does not alone preserve privilege; it is a security measure, not a legal one.
- ✗
Destroy all preliminary notes after the final report is issued
Why it's wrong here
Destroying notes may be spoliation; privilege requires proper handling, not destruction.
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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.