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CISM Practice Question: Refer to the exhibit
Exhibit
[2025-04-09 10:23:45] ALERT: User 'jdoe' logged in from IP 198.51.100.100 (unusual location) at 10:23:45. [2025-04-09 10:24:10] EVENT: User 'jdoe' attempted to access /admin/config with lack of privilege. [2025-04-09 10:25:00] EVENT: User 'jdoe' accessed /finance/customers.xlsx and downloaded 500MB. [2025-04-09 10:25:30] ALERT: Large data transfer from internal IP to external IP 203.0.113.5.
Refer to the exhibit. Given the exhibit, which type of incident is MOST likely occurring?
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
✓
Insider threat
The exhibit shows a user logging in from an unusual location, attempting unauthorized access, and then exfiltrating sensitive data. This pattern is indicative of an insider threat, as it involves a legitimate user performing malicious actions. Option C (Insider threat) is correct.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Phishing campaign
Why it's wrong here
Phishing would involve deceptive emails, not direct login from an unusual location and data download.
- ✗
Ransomware attack
Why it's wrong here
Ransomware typically involves file encryption and ransom notes, not data exfiltration by a user.
- ✓
Insider threat
Why this is correct
The user's behavior—accessing and exfiltrating sensitive data—is characteristic of an insider threat.
- ✗
DDoS attack
Why it's wrong here
DDoS attacks aim to disrupt services with traffic floods, not involve user login and data exfiltration.
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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.