- A
IR team roster
Why wrong: Team roster is part of the plan but not a separate core component.
- B
Incident response policy
The policy provides high-level commitment and direction.
- C
Incident response plan
The plan defines the overall approach, roles, and procedures.
- D
Communication templates
Why wrong: Templates are useful but not a core required component.
- E
Vendor contacts list
Why wrong: Vendor contacts are helpful but not a core required component.
Question 501 of 905
CISM Incident Management Practice Question
This CISM practice question tests your understanding of incident management. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 required components of an incident response programme according to best practices? (Select two.)
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
✓
Incident response policy
The incident response policy is the foundational document that establishes management's commitment, defines roles and responsibilities, and sets the scope and authority for the incident response programme. Without a formal policy, the programme lacks organizational mandate and cannot enforce compliance with incident handling procedures.
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.
- ✗
IR team roster
Why it's wrong here
Team roster is part of the plan but not a separate core component.
- ✓
Incident response policy
Why this is correct
The policy provides high-level commitment and direction.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Incident response plan
Why this is correct
The plan defines the overall approach, roles, and procedures.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Communication templates
Why it's wrong here
Templates are useful but not a core required component.
- ✗
Vendor contacts list
Why it's wrong here
Vendor contacts are helpful but not a core required component.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between the policy (the 'what' and 'why') and the plan (the 'how'), tempting candidates to select operational items like contact lists or templates instead of the mandatory governance components.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, the incident response policy aligns with frameworks such as NIST SP 800-61 Rev. 2 and ISO/IEC 27035, which mandate a policy as the top-level governance document. The policy must define incident severity levels, escalation paths, and legal/regulatory compliance requirements (e.g., GDPR breach notification timelines). In practice, organizations often fail audits because they have a plan but no ratified policy, leaving the programme without executive sponsorship or enforceable authority.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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 exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Incident Management — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CISM question test?
Incident Management — This question tests Incident Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Incident response policy — The incident response policy is the foundational document that establishes management's commitment, defines roles and responsibilities, and sets the scope and authority for the incident response programme. Without a formal policy, the programme lacks organizational mandate and cannot enforce compliance with incident handling procedures.
What should I do if I get this CISM question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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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