ISC Risk Management Practice Question
During a risk assessment of an industrial control system (ICS), the engineer identifies that an administrative workstation shares the same VLAN as the PLC network. Which remediation action is most effective from a risk management perspective?
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
✓
Implement VLAN segmentation to isolate the workstation from the PLC network.
Network segmentation, particularly by isolating critical control devices from general-purpose administrative workstations, is a foundational risk mitigation strategy in ICS security.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Require MFA for workstation access.
Why it's wrong here
MFA protects against unauthorized users, not against a compromised workstation already on the network.
- ✓
Implement VLAN segmentation to isolate the workstation from the PLC network.
Why this is correct
VLAN segmentation creates a logical boundary that prevents direct access and lateral movement.
- ✗
Install an antivirus on the workstation.
Why it's wrong here
Antivirus is a necessary defense-in-depth measure, but it does not mitigate the architectural risk of flat networking.
- ✗
Disable all unused ports on the PLC network switch.
Why it's wrong here
This is a good hardening practice, but it does not address the VLAN architecture issue.
Visual reference
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.