ISC Risk Management Practice Question
An ISSEP is reviewing the 'Maintain' phase of the RMF for a system that has undergone a significant software update. What is the most critical activity to ensure that the system's security posture remains intact?
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
✓
Conduct a Security Impact Analysis (SIA) to determine the extent of the changes.
Following a significant change, a re-assessment (or targeted assessment) is required to ensure that the security controls remain effective and that new vulnerabilities have not been introduced.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Conduct a Security Impact Analysis (SIA) to determine the extent of the changes.
Why this is correct
The SIA is the formal RMF process for evaluating the impact of changes on the existing security controls.
- ✗
Perform a full system penetration test.
Why it's wrong here
While useful, it may not be necessary to perform a full test if only specific components changed.
- ✗
Notify the system users of the update.
Why it's wrong here
Communication is important but not a security control activity.
- ✗
Update the system backup schedule.
Why it's wrong here
Backups are operational, not security assessment activities related to changes.
About these practice questions
One of 209 original ISC practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed August 2026 · checked against the official (ISC)² exam blueprint
This ISC practice question is part of Courseiva's free (ISC)² 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 ISC exam.