CISM Information Security Programme Practice Question
Which TWO budget components are considered 'services' in a typical security budget?
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
✓
Penetration testing conducted by an external firm
Services include external consultants and managed security services, not personnel or technology purchases.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Penetration testing conducted by an external firm
Why this is correct
Pen testing is a professional service.
- ✗
Security awareness training software license
Why it's wrong here
This is a licensing cost.
- ✗
Firewall hardware
Why it's wrong here
This is technology/capital expenditure.
- ✗
Salaries for security staff
Why it's wrong here
Personnel is a separate category.
- ✓
Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) fees
Why this is correct
This is an outsourced service.
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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.