The correct actions are to escalate the issue to senior management for decision and to update the incident response plan to include all critical systems. Escalating ensures that leadership is aware of the compliance gap and can authorize the necessary resources or risk acceptance, while updating the plan directly remediates the root cause by ensuring every critical system has a defined response procedure. On the CISM exam, this scenario tests your understanding of governance and the security manager’s role in aligning incident response with business continuity—auditors flag exclusions not as technical oversights but as governance failures. A common trap is choosing compensating controls as a permanent fix, but that only masks the gap without addressing the missing systems. Remember the mnemonic “E.U.” for Escalate and Update: when critical systems are excluded, you must elevate awareness and then fix the document.
CISM Information Security Program Practice Question
This CISM practice question tests your understanding of information security program. Compare every option against the stated constraints before choosing — the best answer satisfies all requirements, not just the most obvious one. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
During an audit of the information security program, the auditor identifies that several critical systems are not included in the incident response plan. Which of the following are the MOST appropriate actions for the security manager to take? (Select TWO.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Update the incident response plan to include all critical systems
Options B and D are correct. Escalating to senior management ensures proper awareness and authorization (B), and updating the plan to include all critical systems directly addresses the finding (D). Option A is wrong because implementing compensating controls is a temporary measure and does not solve the root cause. Option C is wrong because immediately removing systems from production is too drastic and not justified. Option E is wrong because accepting risk without analysis bypasses proper risk management.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
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 compensating controls on the excluded systems
Why it's wrong here
Compensating controls may reduce risk but do not address the missing plan coverage.
✗
Document the finding and accept the risk
Why it's wrong here
Accepting the risk without proper assessment and approval is not appropriate.
✗
Immediately remove the excluded systems from production
Why it's wrong here
This is too drastic and would disrupt business operations without proper analysis.
✓
Update the incident response plan to include all critical systems
Why this is correct
Updating the plan directly closes the gap identified in the audit.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✓
Escalate the issue to senior management for decision
Why this is correct
Escalation ensures management awareness and provides authority to take corrective action.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Authentication checks who the user is.
Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
→Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
→Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
→Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related CISM questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Information Security Program — This question tests Information Security Program — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Update the incident response plan to include all critical systems — Options B and D are correct. Escalating to senior management ensures proper awareness and authorization (B), and updating the plan to include all critical systems directly addresses the finding (D). Option A is wrong because implementing compensating controls is a temporary measure and does not solve the root cause. Option C is wrong because immediately removing systems from production is too drastic and not justified. Option E is wrong because accepting risk without analysis bypasses proper risk management.
What should I do if I get this CISM question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related CISM questions on access control and AAA configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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