CISSP Security and Risk Management Practice Question
This CISSP practice question tests your understanding of security and risk management. 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.
A company is outsourcing its customer support operations to a third-party vendor. The vendor will have access to sensitive customer data. Which of the following should be the primary security requirement in the contract with the vendor?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "primary"
Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The vendor must comply with the company's security policies and standards.
Option B is correct because the contract must mandate that the vendor adheres to the company's security policies and standards to ensure consistent protection. Option A is incorrect because while background checks are important, they are not the primary contractual requirement. Option C is incorrect because the company should not rely solely on vendor self-assessment. Option D is incorrect because penetration testing is a specific activity, but the overarching requirement is compliance with policies.
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.
✗
The vendor must perform annual penetration testing.
Why it's wrong here
Penetration testing is a control, but the contract should require adherence to the overall security program.
✗
The vendor must conduct background checks on all employees.
Why it's wrong here
Background checks are secondary; the primary need is policy adherence.
✗
The vendor must provide a list of all subcontractors.
Why it's wrong here
Subcontractor disclosure is important but not the primary requirement.
✓
The vendor must comply with the company's security policies and standards.
Why this is correct
Policy compliance ensures the vendor protects data as the company would.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 security analyst at a medium-sized enterprise encounters this scenario during an investigation or architecture review. The correct answer reflects best practice for the specific threat or control described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CISSP question in full detail.
Identify which CISSP exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Security and Risk Management — This question tests Security and Risk Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The vendor must comply with the company's security policies and standards. — Option B is correct because the contract must mandate that the vendor adheres to the company's security policies and standards to ensure consistent protection. Option A is incorrect because while background checks are important, they are not the primary contractual requirement. Option C is incorrect because the company should not rely solely on vendor self-assessment. Option D is incorrect because penetration testing is a specific activity, but the overarching requirement is compliance with policies.
What should I do if I get this CISSP question wrong?
Identify which CISSP exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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