CISM First document for security program Practice Question
Which document should be created FIRST when establishing an information security program?
⚠ Common exam trap
ISACA often tests the sequence of program development, and the trap here is that candidates mistake a risk assessment (Option B) as the first step because it seems logical to 'know your risks first,' but the policy must precede it to define the risk management framework and governance.
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
✓
Information security policy
The information security policy is the foundational document that establishes management's intent, direction, and support for the security program. It defines the scope, objectives, and responsibilities, and all other security documents (risk assessments, incident response plans, BCPs) derive their authority and alignment from this policy. Without an approved policy, subsequent activities lack governance and executive backing.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Risk assessment report
Why it's wrong here
Risk assessment is informed by policy.
- ✗
Incident response plan
Why it's wrong here
Incident response is a later operational plan.
- ✗
Business continuity plan
Why it's wrong here
BCP is related but separate and typically follows policy.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The CISM exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓Information security policyCorrect answer▾
✗Risk assessment reportWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Risk assessment is informed by policy.
✗Incident response planWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Incident response is a later operational plan.
✗Business continuity planWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
BCP is related but separate and typically follows policy.
Analysis generated from the official CISMblueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
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About these practice questions
This CISM question is part of Courseiva's 871-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.