hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
CISM Practice Question: Refer to the exhibit
Exhibit
Exhibit: [ERROR] [2025-04-01 14:23:45] GRC Policy Update Failed: Insufficient privileges for user 'jdoe' to modify policy 'SOX-101'. Required role: 'PolicyAdmin', user roles: ['Auditor','ComplianceReader'].
Refer to the exhibit. This error log indicates a failure in which component of information security governance?
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
✓
Access control
The error shows that a user lacks privileges to update a policy, indicating a breakdown in access control. Option A (policy enforcement) is broader and refers to compliance with policies, not updating them. Option C (segregation of duties) is about dividing tasks to prevent fraud, not about insufficient privileges. Option D (audit trail) is about logging, which is functioning as the error was logged.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Policy enforcement
Why it's wrong here
Policy enforcement refers to ensuring operations follow policies, not the ability to update them.
- ✓
Access control
Why this is correct
The user lacks necessary permissions, indicating an access control issue.
- ✗
Segregation of duties
Why it's wrong here
Segregation of duties ensures no single person has conflicting roles; this error is about missing privileges.
- ✗
Audit trail
Why it's wrong here
The error is captured in logs, so auditing is working; the failure is in access control.
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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.