- A
Business-enabling controls
Why wrong: These controls support business objectives, not necessarily provide layered defense.
- B
Critical controls first
Why wrong: This is a prioritization strategy, not a layering approach.
- C
Compensating controls
Why wrong: Compensating controls are alternatives when primary controls are not feasible, not necessarily layered.
- D
Defense-in-depth
Defense-in-depth uses multiple layers of defense to protect assets.
Question 559 of 905
CISM Information Security Programme Practice Question
This CISM practice question tests your understanding of information security programme. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
When implementing security controls, which approach ensures that multiple layers of defense are applied so that if one control fails, others compensate?
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
✓
Defense-in-depth
Defense-in-depth (option D) is the correct approach because it implements multiple, overlapping layers of security controls (e.g., firewalls, IDS/IPS, endpoint protection, access controls) so that if one layer fails or is bypassed, subsequent layers continue to provide protection. This layered strategy reduces the likelihood of a single point of failure compromising the entire security posture, aligning with the CISM principle of risk mitigation through redundancy.
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.
- ✗
Business-enabling controls
Why it's wrong here
These controls support business objectives, not necessarily provide layered defense.
- ✗
Critical controls first
Why it's wrong here
This is a prioritization strategy, not a layering approach.
- ✗
Compensating controls
Why it's wrong here
Compensating controls are alternatives when primary controls are not feasible, not necessarily layered.
- ✓
Defense-in-depth
Why this is correct
Defense-in-depth uses multiple layers of defense to protect assets.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'compensating controls' (a specific, alternative control for a single requirement) with the broader 'defense-in-depth' strategy, leading them to select option C when the question asks for the layered approach that ensures compensation across multiple controls.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Defense-in-depth is rooted in the principle of 'security in layers,' where each layer addresses different attack vectors—for example, network segmentation (VLANs, ACLs) limits lateral movement, while host-based firewalls and application whitelisting protect endpoints. In a real-world scenario, if an attacker bypasses a perimeter firewall via a VPN exploit, an internal IDS and endpoint detection and response (EDR) system can still detect and block the threat, illustrating how layers compensate for each other. This approach is formalized in frameworks like NIST SP 800-53, which recommends multiple overlapping controls for high-impact systems.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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 exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Information Security Programme — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CISM question test?
Information Security Programme — This question tests Information Security Programme — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Defense-in-depth — Defense-in-depth (option D) is the correct approach because it implements multiple, overlapping layers of security controls (e.g., firewalls, IDS/IPS, endpoint protection, access controls) so that if one layer fails or is bypassed, subsequent layers continue to provide protection. This layered strategy reduces the likelihood of a single point of failure compromising the entire security posture, aligning with the CISM principle of risk mitigation through redundancy.
What should I do if I get this CISM question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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.
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