- A
IT general controls for financial systems
Correct - ITGC are essential for SOX compliance.
- B
Encryption of data at rest
Why wrong: Encryption may be part of controls but not a specific SOX focus.
- C
Breach notification procedures
Why wrong: Not specific to SOX; breach notification is more GDPR or state laws.
- D
Privacy of customer data
Why wrong: Privacy is more aligned with regulations like GDPR or HIPAA.
Question 3 of 1,000
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 financial institution is required to comply with SOX. Which of the following is a key focus area for IT under SOX?
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
✓
IT general controls for financial systems
SOX requires publicly traded companies to establish and maintain internal controls over financial reporting. IT general controls (ITGC) are critical for ensuring the integrity of financial systems.
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.
- ✓
IT general controls for financial systems
Why this is correct
Correct - ITGC are essential for SOX compliance.
Related concept
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
- ✗
Encryption of data at rest
Why it's wrong here
Encryption may be part of controls but not a specific SOX focus.
- ✗
Breach notification procedures
Why it's wrong here
Not specific to SOX; breach notification is more GDPR or state laws.
- ✗
Privacy of customer data
Why it's wrong here
Privacy is more aligned with regulations like GDPR or HIPAA.
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 developer is choosing between AES-256 (symmetric) and RSA-2048 (asymmetric) for encrypting a large file that will be sent to a partner. Symmetric encryption is fast but requires key exchange; asymmetric is slower but solves the key distribution problem. A hybrid approach — encrypt the file with AES, encrypt the AES key with RSA — is standard. Questions like this test whether you understand when each approach applies.
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 CISSP OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CISSP question test?
Security and Risk Management — This question tests Security and Risk Management — OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: IT general controls for financial systems — SOX requires publicly traded companies to establish and maintain internal controls over financial reporting. IT general controls (ITGC) are critical for ensuring the integrity of financial systems.
What should I do if I get this CISSP 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 CISSP 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: Jul 4, 2026
This CISSP practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 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 CISSP exam.
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