- A
Value delivery
Governance should ensure that security investments deliver value to the organization.
- B
Incident response
Why wrong: Incident response is an operational process, not a governance element.
- C
Resource management
Why wrong: While important, resource management is part of governance but not one of the five key areas typically highlighted.
- D
Strategic alignment
This is a core governance element ensuring security supports business goals.
- E
Risk management
Why wrong: Risk management is a governance element, but the question asks for TWO; strategic alignment and value delivery are the most commonly cited.
CISM Information Security Governance Practice Question
This CISM practice question tests your understanding of information security governance. 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 TWO of the following are key elements of an information security governance framework, as defined by COBIT?
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
Value delivery
Strategic alignment and value delivery are two of the five key governance areas per COBIT. Compliance and resource management are also elements, but the question asks which TWO are specifically key. Incident response is operational, not a governance element.
Key principle: OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Value delivery
Why this is correct
Governance should ensure that security investments deliver value to the organization.
Related concept
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
- ✗
Incident response
Why it's wrong here
Incident response is an operational process, not a governance element.
- ✗
Resource management
Why it's wrong here
While important, resource management is part of governance but not one of the five key areas typically highlighted.
- ✓
Strategic alignment
Why this is correct
This is a core governance element ensuring security supports business goals.
Related concept
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
- ✗
Risk management
Why it's wrong here
Risk management is a governance element, but the question asks for TWO; strategic alignment and value delivery are the most commonly cited.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: OSPF can fail even when IP connectivity looks correct
OSPF neighbour formation depends on matching areas, timers, network type, authentication and passive-interface behaviour. Do not choose an answer only because the devices can ping.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
OSPF questions usually test the details that control adjacency and route selection. Read the neighbour state, area, router ID and interface configuration before deciding what is wrong.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
- Router ID selection can affect neighbour relationships and LSDB output.
- OSPF cost influences the preferred path.
- A route can appear in OSPF information but not become the installed route.
TExam Day Tips
- Check area mismatch first when OSPF adjacency fails.
- Review passive interfaces when a network is advertised but no neighbour forms.
- Use show ip ospf neighbor and show ip route clues carefully.
Key takeaway
OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
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. OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough. 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.
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related CISM OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CISM question test?
Information Security Governance — This question tests Information Security Governance — OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Value delivery — Strategic alignment and value delivery are two of the five key governance areas per COBIT. Compliance and resource management are also elements, but the question asks which TWO are specifically key. Incident response is operational, not a governance element.
What should I do if I get this CISM question wrong?
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related CISM OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 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.
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