- A
CIS Controls v8
CIS Controls v8 uses IG1 (basic), IG2 (intermediate), and IG3 (advanced) for prioritization.
- B
COBIT 2019
Why wrong: COBIT is a governance framework, not a control framework with Implementation Groups.
- C
ISO 27001 Annex A
Why wrong: ISO 27001 Annex A lists controls under domains, not Implementation Groups.
- D
NIST SP 800-53
Why wrong: NIST SP 800-53 organizes controls into families, not Implementation Groups.
Question 552 of 905
CISM Information Security Programme Practice Question
This CISM practice question tests your understanding of information security programme. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
Which control framework is structured around Implementation Groups (IG1, IG2, IG3) to help organizations prioritize security controls based on risk?
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
✓
CIS Controls v8
The CIS Controls v8 framework is uniquely structured around Implementation Groups (IG1, IG2, IG3) to provide a prioritized, risk-based approach to security control implementation. IG1 represents basic cyber hygiene for organizations with limited resources, IG2 adds more advanced controls for those with moderate risk, and IG3 includes comprehensive controls for high-risk environments. This tiered structure directly aligns with the CISM focus on aligning security controls with business risk and resource constraints.
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.
- ✓
CIS Controls v8
Why this is correct
CIS Controls v8 uses IG1 (basic), IG2 (intermediate), and IG3 (advanced) for prioritization.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
COBIT 2019
Why it's wrong here
COBIT is a governance framework, not a control framework with Implementation Groups.
- ✗
ISO 27001 Annex A
Why it's wrong here
ISO 27001 Annex A lists controls under domains, not Implementation Groups.
- ✗
NIST SP 800-53
Why it's wrong here
NIST SP 800-53 organizes controls into families, not Implementation Groups.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the CIS Controls Implementation Groups with NIST SP 800-53's impact-based baselines (Low, Moderate, High), but the key distinction is that IG1/IG2/IG3 are risk-prioritized tiers based on organizational resources and threat exposure, not just data impact levels.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The CIS Controls v8 Implementation Groups are derived from real-world attack data and adversary behavior, with IG1 covering 18 essential controls (e.g., inventory of authorized devices, controlled use of administrative privileges) that block the most common attack patterns. IG2 adds 73 additional controls (e.g., multi-factor authentication for all remote access) for organizations with moderate risk, while IG3 includes all 153 controls for high-risk environments. This structure allows organizations to start with IG1 and progressively implement higher groups as their risk posture matures, directly supporting the CISM principle of cost-effective risk management.
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
- →
Information Security Programme practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All CISM questions
905 questions across all exam domains
- →
Certified Information Security Manager CISM study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
CISM practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related CISM practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Information Security Program practice questions
Practise CISM questions linked to Information Security Program.
Incident Management practice questions
Practise CISM questions linked to Incident Management.
Information Security Programme practice questions
Practise CISM questions linked to Information Security Programme.
Information Security Governance practice questions
Practise CISM questions linked to Information Security Governance.
Information Security Risk Management practice questions
Practise CISM questions linked to Information Security Risk Management.
CISM fundamentals practice questions
Practise CISM questions linked to CISM fundamentals.
CISM scenario practice questions
Practise CISM questions linked to CISM scenario.
CISM troubleshooting practice questions
Practise CISM questions linked to CISM troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free CISM practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
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: CIS Controls v8 — The CIS Controls v8 framework is uniquely structured around Implementation Groups (IG1, IG2, IG3) to provide a prioritized, risk-based approach to security control implementation. IG1 represents basic cyber hygiene for organizations with limited resources, IG2 adds more advanced controls for those with moderate risk, and IG3 includes comprehensive controls for high-risk environments. This tiered structure directly aligns with the CISM focus on aligning security controls with business risk and resource constraints.
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
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.