How should I use these System Compliance practice questions?

Read each scenario carefully and choose your answer before revealing the explanation. Then check why your choice was right or wrong. Repeat until the reasoning feels automatic.

Can I practise just System Compliance questions in a focused session?

Yes — use the session launcher on this page to start a 10-, 20-, 30- or 50-question session drawn entirely from the System Compliance domain.

CGRC · topic practice

System Compliance practice questions

Practise (ISC)2 Certified in Governance, Risk and Compliance (CGRC) (CGRC) System Compliance practice questions — original exam-style scenarios with answer choices, explanations, and analysis of common mistakes.

Courseiva uses original exam-style practice questions designed for learning and revision. The goal is to understand the concepts, recognise exam patterns, and improve through explanations — not memorise copied exam dumps.

Reviewed byJohnson Ajibi· MSc IT Security

20 questionsDomain: System Compliance

Practice 10 questions Browse domain →

What the exam tests

What to know about System Compliance

System Compliance questions test whether you can apply the concept in context, not just recognise a definition.

How the topic appears in realistic exam-style scenarios.

Which detail in the question changes the correct answer.

How to eliminate plausible but wrong options.

How to connect the question back to the wider exam objective.

Watch out for

Common System Compliance exam traps

▸Answering from memory before reading the full scenario.
▸Missing a constraint such as cost, availability, security, scope or command context.
▸Choosing a broad answer when the question asks for the most specific fix.
▸Ignoring why the wrong options are tempting.

Practice set

System Compliance questions

20 questions · select your answer, then reveal the explanation

Question 1hardmultiple choice

Read the full System Compliance explanation →

During the compliance determination phase, you discover that a legacy application lacks multi-factor authentication (MFA) but is isolated within a physically secured enclave. Which action should you take to document this in the Security Assessment Report (SAR)?

Trap 1: Force an upgrade to the application

This is a remediation step, not an assessment step.

Trap 2: Immediately revoke the Authorization to Operate (ATO)

Risk assessment must occur before revoking an ATO.

Trap 3: Mark the control as 'Not Applicable'

The control is applicable; it is just unimplemented.

Study all System Compliance common traps →

A
Force an upgrade to the application
Why wrong: This is a remediation step, not an assessment step.
B
Document the compensating control and assess its effectiveness
Compensating controls are valid methods to meet security requirements.
C
Immediately revoke the Authorization to Operate (ATO)
Why wrong: Risk assessment must occur before revoking an ATO.
D
Mark the control as 'Not Applicable'
Why wrong: The control is applicable; it is just unimplemented.

System Compliance practice questions

What to know about System Compliance

Common System Compliance exam traps

System Compliance questions

During the compliance determination phase, you discover that a legacy application lacks multi-factor authentication (MFA) but is isolated within a physically secured enclave. Which action should you take to document this in the Security Assessment Report (SAR)?

An Authorizing Official (AO) is reviewing a Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M) for a high-impact system. What is the AO's primary responsibility regarding this document?

An Authorizing Official grants an 'ATO with Conditions.' What does this mean for the system owner?

You are utilizing the NIST SP 800-37 R2 process for an Authorization to Operate (ATO). At what point is the Security Assessment Report (SAR) presented to the Authorizing Official?

You are performing a compliance determination on a system that shares data with an external partner. What is the most important factor in the authorization boundary determination?

While reviewing a system's compliance, you notice the Security Control Assessor (SCA) used an interview method for a technical control that requires automated testing. How should you address this in your review?

An information system security officer (ISSO) is preparing the Security Assessment Plan (SAP) in the NIST Risk Management Framework. Which component must be identified first to ensure the assessment coverage is adequate?

When determining compliance for a cloud-based service, which document serves as the primary evidence of the provider's security controls?

What is the purpose of the Security Assessment Report (SAR)?

Which document provides the formal authority to operate a system?

You are auditing an organization's POA&M process. Which of the following indicates an ineffective process?

A system is found to have a critical vulnerability that cannot be patched. You are documenting a risk acceptance request. What is the most critical piece of information to include for the AO?

When a system is undergoing a major change, what is the impact on the existing ATO?

If a security control is deemed 'Not Applicable' (NA) in the System Security Plan (SSP), what must the system owner provide?

What is the relationship between the System Security Plan (SSP) and the Security Assessment Report (SAR)?

Which role is responsible for the ongoing monitoring of security controls after an ATO is granted?

A contractor provides a service for your organization. How do you ensure the contractor's system is compliant?

What is the primary role of the Security Control Assessor (SCA)?

Which phase of the RMF includes the 'continuous monitoring' of security controls?

Which THREE of the following are valid components of an Authorization Package?

Track your progress over time

Start a System Compliance only practice session

Related CGRC topic practice pages

Control Selection practice questions

GRC Program practice questions

Scope OF System practice questions

System Compliance practice questions

Control Implementation practice questions

Assessment And Audit practice questions

Compliance Maintenance practice questions

CGRC fundamentals practice questions

CGRC scenario practice questions

CGRC troubleshooting practice questions

Frequently asked questions

Track your progress

Study resources

Exam traps to avoid