- (Topic 3)
Communicating which of the following would be MOST helpful to gain senior management support for risk treatment options?

1. A. Quantitative loss
2. B. Industry benchmarks
3. C. Threat analysis
4. D. Root cause analysis

Correct Answer: A
communicating the quantitative loss associated with the risk scenarios and the risk treatment options would be the most helpful to gain senior management support, as it helps to demonstrate the value and effectiveness of the risk treatment options in terms of reducing the likelihood and impact of the risk. Quantitative loss also helps to compare the cost and benefit of the risk treatment options and to prioritize the most critical risks.
Industry benchmarks, threat analysis, and root cause analysis may be useful for understanding and assessing the risk, but they do not directly measure the performance of the risk treatment options.
References = Five Key Considerations When Developing Information Security Risk Treatment Plans, CISM Domain 2: Information Risk Management (IRM) [2022 update]

- (Topic 3)
Which of the following has the GREATEST influence on the successful integration of information security within the business?

1. A. Organizational structure and culture
2. B. Risk tolerance and organizational objectives
3. C. The desired state of the organization
4. D. Information security personnel

Correct Answer: A
The factor that has the greatest influence on the successful integration of information security within the business is organizational structure and culture because they determine how information security is organized, governed, and supported within the organization, and how information security roles and responsibilities are defined, assigned, and communicated across different levels and functions. Risk tolerance and organizational objectives are not very influential because they do not affect how information security is integrated within the business, but rather what information security aims to achieve or protect. The desired state of the organization is not very influential because it does not affect how information security is integrated within the business, but rather what the organization aspires to be or do. Information security personnel are not very influential because they do not affect how information security is integrated within the business, but rather who performs information security tasks or activities. References: https://www.isaca.org/resources/isaca-journal/issues/2016/volume-4/technical-security-standards-for-information-systems https://www.isaca.org/resources/isaca-journal/issues/2017/volume-2/how-to-align-security-initiatives-with-business-goals-and- objectives

- (Topic 1)
When deciding to move to a cloud-based model, the FIRST consideration should be:

1. A. storage in a shared environment.
2. B. availability of the data.
3. C. data classification.
4. D. physical location of the data.

Correct Answer: C
The first consideration when deciding to move to a cloud-based model should be data classification, because it helps the organization to identify the sensitivity, value, and criticality of the data that will be stored, processed, or transmitted in the cloud. Data classification can help the organization to determine the appropriate level of protection, encryption, and access control for the data, and to comply with the relevant legal, regulatory, and contractual requirements. Data classification can also help the organization to evaluate the suitability, compatibility, and trustworthiness of the cloud service provider and the cloud service model, and to negotiate the terms and conditions of the cloud service contract.
Storage in a shared environment, availability of the data, and physical location of the data are all important considerations when deciding to move to a cloud-based model, but they are not the first consideration. Storage in a shared environment can affect the security, privacy, and integrity of the data, as the data may be co-located with other customers’ data, and may be subject to unauthorized access, modification, or deletion. Availability of the data can affect the reliability, performance, and continuity of the data, as the data may be inaccessible, corrupted, or lost due to network failures, service outages, or disasters. Physical location of the data can affect the compliance, sovereignty, and jurisdiction of the data, as the data may be stored or transferred across different countries or regions, and may be subject to different laws, regulations, or policies. However, these considerations depend on the data classification, as different types of data may have different levels of risk, impact, and expectation in the cloud environment. References =
✑ ISACA, CISM Review Manual, 16th Edition, 2020, pages 95-96, 99-100, 103-104, 107-108.
✑ ISACA, CISM Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Database, 12th Edition, 2020, question ID 1031.

- (Topic 3)
Which of the following is the BEST course of action when confidential information is inadvertently disseminated outside the organization?

1. A. Review compliance requirements.
2. B. Communicate the exposure.
3. C. Declare an incident.
4. D. Change the encryption keys.

Correct Answer: C
Declaring an incident is the best course of action when confidential information is inadvertently disseminated outside the organization, as it triggers the incident response process, which aims to contain, analyze, eradicate, recover, and learn from the incident. Declaring an incident also helps to communicate the exposure to the relevant stakeholders, such as senior management, legal authorities, customers, or regulators, and to comply with the applicable laws and regulations regarding notification and disclosure. Changing the encryption keys, reviewing compliance requirements, or communicating the exposure are possible steps within the incident response process, but they are not the first course of action.
References = CISM Review Manual 2022, page 3121; CISM Exam Content Outline, Domain 4, Task 4.12; CISM 2020: Incident Management; How to Respond to a Data Breach

- (Topic 3)
Which of the following is MOST important to the effectiveness of an information security program?

1. A. Security metrics
2. B. Organizational culture
3. C. IT governance
4. D. Risk management

Correct Answer: D
Risk management is the most important factor for the effectiveness of an information security program, as it provides a systematic and consistent approach to identify, assess, treat, and monitor the information security risks that could affect the organization’s objectives. Risk management also helps to align the security program with the business strategy, prioritize the security initiatives and resources, and communicate the value of security to the stakeholders.
References = CISM Review Manual 2022, page 3071; CISM Exam Content Outline, Domain 4, Knowledge Statement 4.1