CISM Incident Management Practice Question
Following containment of a ransomware incident, the incident response team is conducting a root cause analysis. Which method involves repeatedly asking 'why' to drill down to underlying causes?
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
✓
5 Whys
The 5 Whys technique is a simple root cause analysis method that iteratively asks 'why' to move from symptoms to root causes.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Pareto analysis
Why it's wrong here
Pareto analysis prioritizes causes, not drill down.
- ✗
SWOT analysis
Why it's wrong here
SWOT is a strategic planning tool, not for root cause.
- ✓
5 Whys
Why this is correct
5 Whys repeatedly asks 'why' to reach root cause.
- ✗
Fishbone diagram
Why it's wrong here
Fishbone diagrams categorize causes but do not use sequential 'why' questioning.
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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.