The answer is host 192.168.10.35, which should be prioritized for risk mitigation based on the vulnerability scan results because it has the highest combined count of critical and high severity vulnerabilities—5 critical and 6 high, totaling 11. In risk-based vulnerability management, critical and high findings represent the greatest potential for exploitation and impact, so they drive prioritization over medium or low severity issues, even if those are more numerous. On the Certified Information Security Manager CISM exam, this concept tests your ability to apply risk management principles to scan data, often appearing in questions about resource allocation and remediation sequencing. A common trap is to focus on total vulnerability count rather than severity-weighted risk, so always sum critical and high findings first. Memory tip: think “Critical + High = Priority” or simply “CH = Chief Priority.”
CISM Information Security Risk Management Practice Question
This CISM practice question tests your understanding of information security risk management. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
Vulnerability Scan Summary Report
11-Jun-2023 04:15:42
Host: 192.168.10.25
Total vulnerabilities: 12
Critical: 2
High: 4
Medium: 3
Low: 3
Host: 192.168.10.30
Total vulnerabilities: 8
Critical: 0
High: 1
Medium: 5
Low: 2
Host: 192.168.10.35
Total vulnerabilities: 20
Critical: 5
High: 6
Medium: 7
Low: 2
Which host should be prioritized for risk mitigation based on the vulnerability scan results?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
192.168.10.35
Option C is correct because host 192.168.10.35 has the highest number of critical and high vulnerabilities (5+6=11), indicating the highest risk. Option A is wrong because host 192.168.10.25 has only 2 critical and 4 high (total 6). Option B is wrong because host 192.168.10.30 has 0 critical and 1 high (total 1). Option D is wrong because even though host 192.168.10.35 has many medium vulnerabilities, the critical and high are most important.
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.
✗
192.168.10.25
Why it's wrong here
Fewer critical/high than .35.
✓
192.168.10.35
Why this is correct
Highest count of critical and high vulnerabilities.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
All hosts should be equally prioritized
Why it's wrong here
Risk levels differ significantly.
✗
192.168.10.30
Why it's wrong here
Only 1 high vulnerability.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 CISM exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Information Security Risk Management — This question tests Information Security Risk Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: 192.168.10.35 — Option C is correct because host 192.168.10.35 has the highest number of critical and high vulnerabilities (5+6=11), indicating the highest risk. Option A is wrong because host 192.168.10.25 has only 2 critical and 4 high (total 6). Option B is wrong because host 192.168.10.30 has 0 critical and 1 high (total 1). Option D is wrong because even though host 192.168.10.35 has many medium vulnerabilities, the critical and high are most important.
What should I do if I get this CISM question wrong?
Identify which CISM exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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