CISSP Security and Risk Management Practice Question
An organization is implementing a new governance framework to align IT with business goals. Which framework is specifically designed for IT service management?
⚠ Common exam trap
CISSP often tests the confusion between governance frameworks (COBIT) and service management frameworks (ITIL), since both address 'aligning IT with business goals' — the key discriminator is whether the question emphasizes service delivery/operations versus oversight/control.
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
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ITIL
ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) is the framework specifically designed for IT service management (ITSM), providing best practices for service strategy, design, transition, operation, and continual improvement. It focuses on aligning IT services with business needs through processes like incident, problem, change, and service-level management. COBIT is a governance framework, ISO/IEC 27001 is an information security management standard, and NIST CSF is a cybersecurity framework — none are ITSM-specific.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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ISO/IEC 27001
Why it's wrong here
ISO/IEC 27001 specifies the requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an information security management system (ISMS). While crucial for protecting information assets, its primary focus is on managing information security risks, ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and availability, rather than providing a comprehensive framework for the operational delivery and management of IT services themselves. Therefore, it is not the most suitable choice for a general IT service management governance framework.
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COBIT 2019
Why it's wrong here
COBIT 2019 is a comprehensive framework for the governance and management of enterprise IT, designed to help organizations create value from IT by balancing benefits realization, risk optimization, and resource utilization. While it provides a high-level governance structure for all IT-related activities, it does not delve into the specific, detailed practices required for the lifecycle management and operational delivery of IT services, which is where ITIL excels. Its scope is broader, focusing on strategic alignment and overall IT value.
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ITIL
Why this is correct
ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) is the most appropriate choice as it provides a detailed, practical framework of best practices for IT service management (ITSM). It encompasses the entire service lifecycle, from strategy and design to transition, operation, and continual service improvement, ensuring that IT services are aligned with business needs and deliver value. ITIL's focus on service delivery, customer experience, and value co-creation makes it ideal for governing IT services.
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NIST Cybersecurity Framework
Why it's wrong here
The NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) is a voluntary framework designed to help organizations manage and reduce cybersecurity risks. It provides a common language and systematic approach to identify, protect, detect, respond to, and recover from cyber incidents. While essential for securing IT infrastructure and services, its specific focus on cybersecurity risk management means it does not offer the comprehensive operational guidance needed for the overall planning, delivery, and support of IT services.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Incident Response and Business Continuity
Key term
COBIT
Control Objectives for Information and Related Technologies — an IT governance framework for managing and auditing IT processes.
Key term
Incident
An incident is a security event that violates an organization's policies or threatens its data, systems, or operations, requiring a structured response.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official ISC2 exam blueprint
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.