This CISSP practice question tests your understanding of security assessment and testing. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
An organization wants to verify that its security policies are being followed by employees. Which testing method is most appropriate?
Compliance audit
A compliance audit verifies adherence to policies and standards.
Vulnerability scan
Why wrong: Vulnerability scans identify technical vulnerabilities.
Risk assessment
Why wrong: Risk assessment evaluates threats and impacts, not policy compliance.
Penetration test
Why wrong: Penetration tests assess technical security, not policy compliance.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Compliance audit
A compliance audit is the most appropriate method to verify that security policies are being followed because it systematically compares actual practices, configurations, and controls against documented policy requirements. Unlike technical scans that identify vulnerabilities, a compliance audit focuses on adherence to rules, standards, and procedures, often using checklists derived from frameworks like ISO 27001 or NIST SP 800-53.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Compliance audit
Why this is correct
A compliance audit verifies adherence to policies and standards.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Vulnerability scan
Why it's wrong here
Vulnerability scans identify technical vulnerabilities.
Risk assessment
Why it's wrong here
Risk assessment evaluates threats and impacts, not policy compliance.
Penetration test
Why it's wrong here
Penetration tests assess technical security, not policy compliance.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates confuse 'compliance audit' with 'vulnerability scan' because both involve checking systems, but the audit is specifically about policy adherence by people and processes, not technical flaws.
Detailed technical explanation
A compliance audit often involves reviewing logs, access control lists, and user activity reports against policy baselines, such as checking that account lockout thresholds match the organization's password policy (e.g., 5 failed attempts within 15 minutes). In real-world scenarios, auditors may use tools like Nessus for configuration compliance (e.g., CIS benchmarks) or manually inspect HR records to confirm that termination procedures are followed, ensuring revoked access within 24 hours as per policy.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A security team runs a vulnerability scan on a web application and discovers an unpatched SQL injection flaw. The team prioritises remediation by CVSS score — critical flaws are patched within 24 hours, high within 7 days. Questions like this test whether you understand vulnerability management processes, scanning tools, and remediation prioritisation.
What to study next
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FAQ
Security Assessment and Testing — This question tests Security Assessment and Testing — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Compliance audit — A compliance audit is the most appropriate method to verify that security policies are being followed because it systematically compares actual practices, configurations, and controls against documented policy requirements. Unlike technical scans that identify vulnerabilities, a compliance audit focuses on adherence to rules, standards, and procedures, often using checklists derived from frameworks like ISO 27001 or NIST SP 800-53.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 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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