CISM Information Security Programme Practice Question
Which control family in NIST SP 800-53 addresses the identification and authentication of users?
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
✓
Identification and Authentication (IA)
The Identification and Authentication (IA) family in NIST SP 800-53 covers user identification, authentication, and credential management.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Personnel Security (PS)
Why it's wrong here
PS covers personnel screening and termination.
- ✓
Identification and Authentication (IA)
Why this is correct
Correct. IA family addresses user identity and authentication.
- ✗
System and Communications Protection (SC)
Why it's wrong here
SC covers encryption and communications security.
- ✗
Access Control (AC)
Why it's wrong here
AC covers authorization, not identification/authentication.
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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.