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CISM Practice Question: Is the best indicator that an organization has…
Which of the following is the best indicator that an organization has effective 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
✓
Security metrics are reviewed by the board quarterly
(ISO 27001 certification) indicates compliance, not necessarily governance performance. Option B (security budget increased) does not guarantee effectiveness. Option C (low number of incidents) could be due to luck. Option D (board review of metrics) demonstrates governance oversight and strategic alignment.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Achievement of ISO 27001 certification
Why it's wrong here
Achievement of ISO 27001 certification indicates compliance with a standard, but does not measure the effectiveness of governance oversight.
- ✗
The security budget has increased year over year
Why it's wrong here
An increasing security budget shows prioritization of security but does not demonstrate that governance processes are effective.
- ✗
Low number of security incidents
Why it's wrong here
A low number of security incidents could be due to external factors, luck, or underreporting, not necessarily effective governance.
- ✓
Security metrics are reviewed by the board quarterly
Why this is correct
Security metrics reviewed by the board ensure strategic alignment and accountability, which is the best indicator of effective governance.
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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.