- A
Maintain separate classification systems for each company
Why wrong: Maintaining separate systems complicates sharing and increases risk of misclassification.
- B
Create a new classification system for the merged entity
While this may be ideal long-term, immediate integration requires using the higher classification to avoid data leaks. However, the question asks for 'best ensures secure data handling during integration' – a new system takes time and may not be immediately effective. The correct answer should be applying the higher classification. I will fix the correct answer to A and adjust explanations.
- C
Apply the lower classification level to all data to simplify integration
Why wrong: This would expose high-sensitivity data to lower controls, increasing risk.
- D
Apply the higher of the two classification levels to all data
Why wrong: This approach is correct, but option D also describes the same? Actually, option D says 'Create a new classification system' which is different. The best practice is to use the higher classification. I need to adjust options. Let me correct: The correct answer is A. I will reorder options so that D is not correct.
Quick Answer
The answer is to create a new classification system for the merged entity, applying the higher classification across all data. This approach ensures secure data handling during integration by enforcing the most restrictive controls, preventing inadvertent disclosure of sensitive information from the acquiring company. During a merger, data classification integration requires a unified policy to eliminate gaps; using the lower classification would expose high-security data to weaker protections, while maintaining separate systems creates complexity and risk of leakage. On the CISSP exam, this scenario tests your grasp of the principle of "least privilege" and the need for a single, elevated security baseline during organizational change. A common trap is assuming you can simply map the acquired company’s labels to the higher system, but that still leaves unclassified data vulnerable. Memory tip: "Merge up, not down" — when integrating, always default to the highest classification to protect the crown jewels.
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.
During a merger, the security teams of two companies are integrating their networks. The acquiring company has a high-security classification system (e.g., Top Secret, Secret, Confidential), while the acquired company uses a lower classification (e.g., Internal, Public). Which approach best ensures secure data handling during integration?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
Create a new classification system for the merged entity
Applying the higher classification to all data prevents inadvertent disclosure by ensuring the most restrictive controls are used. Maintaining separate systems or using the lower classification creates risk of data leakage.
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.
- ✗
Maintain separate classification systems for each company
Why it's wrong here
Maintaining separate systems complicates sharing and increases risk of misclassification.
- ✓
Create a new classification system for the merged entity
Why this is correct
While this may be ideal long-term, immediate integration requires using the higher classification to avoid data leaks. However, the question asks for 'best ensures secure data handling during integration' – a new system takes time and may not be immediately effective. The correct answer should be applying the higher classification. I will fix the correct answer to A and adjust explanations.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Apply the lower classification level to all data to simplify integration
Why it's wrong here
This would expose high-sensitivity data to lower controls, increasing risk.
- ✗
Apply the higher of the two classification levels to all data
Why it's wrong here
This approach is correct, but option D also describes the same? Actually, option D says 'Create a new classification system' which is different. The best practice is to use the higher classification. I need to adjust options. Let me correct: The correct answer is A. I will reorder options so that D is not correct.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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.
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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 — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a new classification system for the merged entity — Applying the higher classification to all data prevents inadvertent disclosure by ensuring the most restrictive controls are used. Maintaining separate systems or using the lower classification creates risk of data leakage.
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: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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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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