ISC Risk Management Practice Question
You are assessing an Engineered System that uses 'Hardware Security Modules' (HSM). Which THREE of the following are the most critical administrative risks to address in an HSM policy?
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
✓
Lack of audit logs for access to the HSM's administrative interface.
HSM administration requires strict separation of duties, secure key ceremony procedures, and robust auditing to prevent insider threats from accessing the root keys.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Only requiring a password for physical access to the HSM appliance.
Why it's wrong here
Physical access should be restricted by other means (e.g., dual-key control, physical cages).
- ✗
Using the default vendor password for the HSM web UI.
Why it's wrong here
This is a basic security hygiene issue, not an administrative policy risk of the HSM.
- ✓
Lack of audit logs for access to the HSM's administrative interface.
Why this is correct
Without logs, there is no accountability for administrative actions.
- ✓
Insecure key ceremony procedures that could allow key material to be observed.
Why this is correct
The key ceremony is the most vulnerable point for key compromise.
- ✓
Lack of separation of duties for administrative tasks (e.g., one person having full access).
Why this is correct
This allows for potential unauthorized actions by a single individual.
About these practice questions
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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.