CISM Improve security program? Practice Question
An organization's information security program has been operational for two years. The security manager is asked to propose changes to improve effectiveness. Which approach should the manager take first?
⚠ Common exam trap
ISACA often tests the principle that assessment must precede action; the trap here is that candidates may jump to implementing controls or revising policies as a quick fix, ignoring the foundational step of measuring current maturity to ensure changes are evidence-based and effective.
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
✓
Conduct a maturity assessment of the current program.
Before making any changes, the security manager must first understand the current state of the program. A maturity assessment (e.g., using the CMMI or COBIT framework) evaluates the effectiveness, gaps, and capability levels of existing processes and controls. This baseline ensures that subsequent improvements are targeted and justified, rather than arbitrary or misaligned with the organization's actual needs.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Implement new security controls based on industry best practices.
Why it's wrong here
This may introduce unnecessary controls without understanding existing gaps.
- ✗
Increase the security awareness training budget.
Why it's wrong here
Training is important but not the first step; assessment should precede resource allocation.
- ✗
Revise the information security policy.
Why it's wrong here
Policy revision may be needed, but first understand the program's strengths and weaknesses.
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.
✓Conduct a maturity assessment of the current program.Correct answer▾
✗Implement new security controls based on industry best practices.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This may introduce unnecessary controls without understanding existing gaps.
✗Increase the security awareness training budget.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Training is important but not the first step; assessment should precede resource allocation.
✗Revise the information security policy.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Policy revision may be needed, but first understand the program's strengths and weaknesses.
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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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.