CISM Information Security Program Practice Question
Which TWO of the following are key performance indicators (KPIs) for measuring the effectiveness of an information security program?
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
✓
Mean time to detect (MTTD) security incidents.
Correct answers are B and D. Option B (Mean time to detect security incidents) directly measures detection effectiveness, a key performance indicator (KPI) for security program effectiveness. Option D (Percentage of critical systems patched within 30 days) measures the effectiveness of vulnerability management and protection. Option A (Number of security policies approved) is a count of administrative actions, not a performance indicator. Option C (Employee satisfaction score) is a general HR metric unrelated to security performance. Option E (Percentage of security budget spent on tools) is a financial metric, not a measure of security program effectiveness.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Number of security policies approved.
Why it's wrong here
Quantity of policies does not indicate performance.
- ✓
Mean time to detect (MTTD) security incidents.
Why this is correct
Measures detection effectiveness.
- ✗
Employee satisfaction score from annual survey.
Why it's wrong here
Not a security program KPI.
- ✓
Percentage of critical systems patched within 30 days.
Why this is correct
Measures protection effectiveness.
- ✗
Percentage of security budget spent on tools.
Why it's wrong here
Spending does not equate to effectiveness.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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