CISSP Security and Risk Management Practice Question
Which of the following is the correct order of the ISC2 Code of Ethics canons from highest to lowest priority?
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
✓
Protect society, act honorably, provide diligent service, advance the profession
The ISC2 Code of Ethics canons are, in priority order: Protect society, the common good, and the public trust; Act honorably, honestly, and justly; Provide diligent and competent service to principals; and Advance and protect the profession.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Protect society, act honorably, provide diligent service, advance the profession
Why this is correct
This sequence precisely matches the four canons of the (ISC)² Code of Ethics, which are hierarchically ordered to guide cybersecurity professionals. The primary responsibility is to protect society, followed by acting honorably, providing diligent service to principals, and finally advancing the profession. This specific order reflects the increasing scope of responsibility, from global impact to individual professional growth, making it the correct representation of the ethical framework.
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Act honorably, protect society, provide diligent service, advance the profession
Why it's wrong here
This option incorrectly places 'Act honorably' before 'Protect society.' The (ISC)² Code of Ethics establishes 'Protect society, the common good, necessary public trust and confidence, and the infrastructure' as the paramount canon. All other canons are subordinate to this foundational principle, meaning that any deviation from its primacy at the beginning of the sequence constitutes an incorrect ordering.
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Advance the profession, protect society, act honorably, provide diligent service
Why it's wrong here
Starting with 'Advance the profession' is incorrect because this canon is the fourth and final principle in the (ISC)² Code of Ethics. The ethical framework prioritizes societal protection and honorable conduct above professional advancement. Misplacing this canon at the beginning fundamentally disrupts the established hierarchy of ethical responsibilities for certified professionals, making this option incorrect.
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Provide diligent service, advance the profession, protect society, act honorably
Why it's wrong here
This option presents an incorrect sequence by beginning with 'Provide diligent service' and 'Advance the profession.' These canons are the third and fourth, respectively, in the (ISC)² Code of Ethics. The correct order mandates that protecting society and acting honorably must precede these principles, as they represent broader ethical obligations that underpin all professional conduct and are foundational to the profession's integrity.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.