CISM Information Security Governance Practice Question
This CISM practice question tests your understanding of information security governance. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
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Security Policy – Data Classification
Category A: Public – No restrictions on disclosure.
Category B: Internal – Limited to employees; no external sharing without approval.
Category C: Confidential – Access on a need-to-know basis; encryption required for transmission.
Category D: Restricted – Highest sensitivity; requires encryption at rest and in transit, dual control for access, and quarterly audits.
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Refer to the exhibit. An organization is implementing access controls for a new data repository that will store financial reports classified as Category C. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate control to include?
Refer to the exhibit.
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Security Policy – Data Classification
Category A: Public – No restrictions on disclosure.
Category B: Internal – Limited to employees; no external sharing without approval.
Category C: Confidential – Access on a need-to-know basis; encryption required for transmission.
Category D: Restricted – Highest sensitivity; requires encryption at rest and in transit, dual control for access, and quarterly audits.
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A
Require encryption of data in transit
Category C explicitly requires encryption for transmission.
B
Implement role-based access control (RBAC)
Why wrong: RBAC is a mechanism but not specifically mandated for Category C.
C
Enforce dual control for access
Why wrong: Dual control is required for Category D, not C.
D
Conduct quarterly access reviews
Why wrong: Quarterly audits are required for Category D, not C.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Require encryption of data in transit
Option B is correct because Category C requires encryption for transmission; encryption at rest is not mandated but optional. Option A (role-based access) is implied by 'need-to-know' but not explicitly stated; Option C (dual control) is for Category D; Option D (quarterly audits) is for Category D.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Require encryption of data in transit
Why this is correct
Category C explicitly requires encryption for transmission.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Implement role-based access control (RBAC)
Why it's wrong here
RBAC is a mechanism but not specifically mandated for Category C.
✗
Enforce dual control for access
Why it's wrong here
Dual control is required for Category D, not C.
✗
Conduct quarterly access reviews
Why it's wrong here
Quarterly audits are required for Category D, not C.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the CISM exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which CISM exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Information Security Governance — This question tests Information Security Governance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Require encryption of data in transit — Option B is correct because Category C requires encryption for transmission; encryption at rest is not mandated but optional. Option A (role-based access) is implied by 'need-to-know' but not explicitly stated; Option C (dual control) is for Category D; Option D (quarterly audits) is for Category D.
What should I do if I get this CISM question wrong?
Identify which CISM exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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