Isaca CISA - Certified Information Systems Auditor

 An organization outsourced its IS functions. To meet its responsibility for disaster recovery, the organization should coordinate disaster recovery administration with the outsourcing vendor. This is because the organization remains accountable for ensuring the continuity and availability of its IS functions, even if they are outsourced to a third party. The organization should establish clear roles and responsibilities, communication channels, testing procedures, and escalation processes with the outsourcing vendor for disaster recovery purposes. The organization should not discontinue maintenance of the disaster recovery plan (DRP), as it still needs to have a documented and updated plan for restoring its IS functions in case of a disaster. The organization should not delegate evaluation of disaster recovery to a third party or internal audit, as it still needs to monitor and review the performance and compliance of the outsourcing vendor with respect to disaster recovery objectives and standards. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), [ISACA Auditing Standards]

 An organization is shifting to a remote workforce. In preparation, the IT department is performing stress and capacity testing of remote access infrastructure and systems. This type of control is being implemented to direct or guide actions to achieve a desired outcome. Therefore, it is a directive control. Directive controls are proactive controls that seek to prevent undesirable events from occurring. They include policies, standards, procedures, guidelines, training, and testing. Detective controls are reactive controls that seek to identify undesirable events that have already occurred. They include monitoring, logging, auditing, and reporting. Preventive controls are proactive controls that seek to avoid undesirable events from occurring. They include authentication, encryption, firewalls, and antivirus software. Compensating controls are alternative controls that provide a similar level of protection as the primary controls when the primary controls are not feasible or cost-effective. They include segregation of duties, manual reviews, and backup systems. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), [ISACA Glossary of Terms]

 The primary purpose of obtaining a baseline image during an operating system audit is to identify atypical running processes. A baseline image is a snapshot of the normal state and configuration of an operating system, including the processes that are expected to run on it. By comparing the current state of the operating system with the baseline image, an IS auditor can detect any deviations or anomalies that may indicate unauthorized or malicious activity, such as malware infection, privilege escalation, or data exfiltration. A baseline image can also help an IS auditor to assess the performance and efficiency of the operating system, as well as its compliance with security standards and policies.

Verifying antivirus definitions (option B) is not the primary purpose of obtaining a baseline image, although it may be a part of the baseline configuration. Antivirus definitions are the files that contain the signatures and rules for detecting and removing malware. An IS auditor may verify that the antivirus definitions are up to date and consistent across the operating system, but this does not require obtaining a baseline image.

Identifying local administrator account access (option C) is not the primary purpose of obtaining a baseline image, although it may be a part of the baseline configuration. Local administrator accounts are user accounts that have full control over the operating system and its resources. An IS auditor may identify and review the local administrator accounts to ensure that they are properly secured and authorized, but this does not require obtaining a baseline image.

Verifying the integrity of operating system backups (option D) is not the primary purpose of obtaining a baseline image, although it may be a part of the backup process. Operating system backups are copies of the operating system data and settings that can be used to restore the system in case of failure or disaster. An IS auditor may verify that the operating system backups are complete, accurate, and accessible, but this does not require obtaining a baseline image.

 Capacity management tools are primarily used to ensure that available resources are used efficiently and effectively to meet the current and future demands of the business. Capacity management tools can help monitor, analyze and optimize the performance and utilization of IT resources such as CPU, memory, disk, network, etc. The other options are not the primary purpose of capacity management tools, although they may be related or derived from them. References:

ISACA, CISA Review Manual, 27th Edition,chapter 4, section 4.32

ISACA, COBIT 2019 Framework: Introduction and Methodology, section 3.2

The senior auditor’s most appropriate course of action is to have the finding reinstated, because the auditee’s claim of correcting the problem is not sufficient evidence to support the removal of the finding. The auditor should verify that the corrective action has been implemented effectively and that it has resolved the underlying issue or risk. The auditor should also document the evidence andresults of the verification in the work papers. The other options are not appropriate, because they either accept the auditee’s claim without verification, delegate the responsibility to the auditee or escalate the issue unnecessarily. References:

ISACA, CISA Review Manual, 27th Edition, chapter 1, section 1.51

ISACA, IT Audit and Assurance Standards, Guidelines and Tools and Techniques for IS Audit and Assurance Professionals,section12062

Segregation of duties is a key internal control that aims to prevent fraud and errors by ensuring that no single individual has the authority to execute two or more conflicting sensitive transactions or functions. In the accounts payable vendor payment cycle, segregation of duties involves separating the tasks of vendor setup, procurement, invoice approval, and payment processing1. This way, an employee cannot create a fictitious vendor and issue a payment to themselves or their accomplices without being detected by another person. Therefore, the best way to prevent fraudulent payments is to implement segregation of duties between the vendorsetup and payment processing. References: 1: Segregation of Duties in the Accounts Payable Vendor Payment Cycle for SMBs - Now With a Podcast! - Debra R Richardson : What is Separation of duties - University of California, Berkeley

 The answer C is correct because preventive maintenance is outsourced to multiple vendors without requiring nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) would be of greatest concern to an IS auditor reviewing on-site preventive maintenance for an organization’s business-critical server hardware. This is because outsourcing preventive maintenance to multiple vendors without NDAs exposes the organization to the risk of unauthorized access, disclosure, or modification of sensitive data and information stored on the servers. NDAs are legal contracts that bind the vendors to protect the confidentiality and security of the data and information they access or handle during the preventive maintenance. Without NDAs, the vendors may not have any obligation or incentive to safeguard the data and information, and they may misuse, leak, or compromise them for malicious or commercial purposes. This could result in financial losses, reputational damage, legal liabilities, or regulatory penalties for the organization.

The other options are not as concerning as option C. Preventive maintenance costs exceed the business allocated budget (option A) is a financial issue that may affect the profitability or efficiency of the organization, but it does not directly impact the security or availability of the server hardware. Preventive maintenance has not been approved by the information system (option B) is a procedural issue that may indicate a lack of coordination or communication between the IT department and the business units, but it does not necessarily affect the quality or effectiveness of the preventive maintenance. The preventive maintenance schedule is based on mean time between failures (MTBF) parameters (option D) is a technical issue that may influence the frequency or timing of the preventive maintenance, but it does not imply any risk or deficiency in the preventive maintenance itself.

 Information security governance is the subset of enterprise governance that provides strategic direction, ensures that objectives are achieved, manages risk appropriately, uses organizational resources responsibly, and monitors the success or failure of the enterprise security program. Information security governance is essential for ensuring that an organization’s information assets are protected from internal and external threats, and that the organization complies with relevant laws and standards.

Demonstrated support from which of the following roles in an organization has the most influence over information security governance? The answer is C, the board of directors. The board of directors is the highest governing body of an organization, responsible for overseeing its strategic direction, performance, and accountability. The board of directors sets the tone at the top for information security governance by:

Establishing a clear vision, mission, and values for information security

Approving and reviewing information security policies and standards

Allocating sufficient resources and budget for information security

Appointing and empowering a chief information security officer (CISO) or equivalent role

Holding management accountable for information security performance and compliance

Communicating and promoting information security awareness and culture

The board of directors has the most influence over information security governance because it has the ultimate authority and responsibility for ensuring that information security is aligned with the organization’s business objectives, risks, and stakeholder expectations.

The audit finding that should be of greatest concern is that tasks defined on the critical path do not have resources allocated, as this means that the project is likely to face significant delays and cost overruns, since the critical path is the sequence of activities that determines the minimum time required to complete the project. The actual start times of some activities being later than originally scheduled may indicate some minor deviations from the project plan, but they may not necessarily affect the overall project completion time if they are not on the critical path. The project manager lacking formal certification may affect the quality and efficiency of the project management process, but it does not necessarily imply that the project manager is incompetent or unqualified. Milestones have been defined for all project products, but they may not be realistic or achievable if they do not take into account the resource constraints and dependencies of the critical path tasks. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 2: Governance and Management of IT, Section 2.3: IT Project Management

The answer D is correct because the greatest concern for an IS auditor with the situation of business owners being removed from the project initiation phase is that the requirements may be incomplete. The project initiation phase is the first step in starting a new project, where the project’s purpose, scope, objectives, and deliverables are defined and documented. The project initiation phase also involves identifying and engaging the key stakeholders who have an interest or influence in the project, such as sponsors, customers, users, or business owners.

Business owners are the individuals or entities who have the authority and responsibility to define the business needs and expectations for the project. They are also the primary beneficiaries of the project outcomes and benefits. Business owners play a crucial role in the project initiation phase, as they provide valuable input and feedback on the requirements and specifications of the project. Requirements are the statements that describe what the project should accomplish or deliver to meet the business needs and expectations. Requirements are essential for guiding the project planning, execution, monitoring, and closure phases.

If business owners are removed from the project initiation phase, it can result in incomplete or inaccurate requirements, which can have negative impacts on the project’s quality, scope, time, cost, and risk. Some of the possible consequences of incomplete requirements are:

Misalignment: The project may not align with the business strategy, vision, or goals, which can reduce its value or relevance.

Confusion: The project team may not have a clear understanding of what the project should achieve or deliver, which can affect their performance or productivity.

Rework: The project may need to undergo frequent changes or revisions to accommodate new or modified requirements, which can increase the time and cost of the project.

Dissatisfaction: The project may not meet the expectations or satisfaction of the business owners or other stakeholders, which can affect their acceptance or support of the project.

Failure: The project may not deliver the expected outcomes or benefits, which can affect its success or viability.

Therefore, an IS auditor should be concerned about the involvement and participation of business owners in the project initiation phase, as it affects the completeness and quality of requirements. An IS auditor should review the policies and procedures for stakeholder identification and engagement, verify that the business owners have adequate knowledge and skills to define their requirements, and test that the requirements are well-defined, documented, approved, and communicated.

The most helpful thing for an IS auditor when assessing the effectiveness of controls is the results of control testing, as this provides objective and reliable evidence of how well the controls are designed and operating in practice. A control self-assessment (CSA) is a technique that involves the participation of process owners and stakeholders in evaluating the effectiveness of controls, but it may not be as rigorous or independent as control testing. Interviews with management are useful for gaining an understanding of the control environment and culture, but they may not reflect the actual performance of controls. A control matrix is a tool that maps the controls to the objectives, risks, and requirements, but it does not measure the effectiveness of controls. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version),Chapter 1: Information Systems Auditing Process, Section 1.3: IT Audit Process

 A configuration management system is a process that establishes and maintains the consistency of a product’s attributes throughout its life cycle. It helps to identify and control the functional and physical characteristics of a product, and to record and report any changes to those characteristics. A configuration management system also supports the audit of the product to verify its conformance to requirements.

One of the key activities of a configuration management system is to define baselines for software. A baseline is a fixed reference point that serves as a basis for comparison and measurement. A baseline can be established for any configuration item, such as a requirement, a design document, a test plan, or a software component. A baseline helps to ensure that the software product meets its intended purpose and quality standards, and that any changes to the software are controlled and documented.

A configuration management system also supports other activities, such as tracking software updates, supporting the release procedure, and standardizing change approval, but these are not its primary purpose. Therefore, the other options are incorrect.

An IS auditor’s primary concern would be whether the recovery site devices can handle the storage requirements. The storage requirements are determined by the amount and type of data that needs to be backed up and restored in case of a disaster at the primary data center. The recovery site devices should have enough capacity, performance, reliability, and compatibility to meet these requirements.

If the recovery site devices cannot handle the storage requirements, then there is a risk that some data may not be backed up properly or may not be available for recovery when needed. This couldresult in data loss, corruption, or inconsistency, which could affect the business continuity and integrity of the organization.

Therefore, an IS auditor should verify that:

The recovery site devices have sufficient storage space to accommodate all the data that needs to be backed up from the primary data center.

The recovery site devices have adequate bandwidth and speed to transfer and access data efficiently and effectively.

The recovery site devices have appropriate security features and controls to protect data from unauthorized access or modification.

The recovery site devices are compatible with the primary data center devices in terms of hardware, software, format, and protocol.

The best way for an IS auditor to understand the software benefits to the organization would be to review the business case, which is a document that provides the justification and rationale for acquiring a software solution based on its expected costs, benefits, risks, and alignment with the organization’s goals and strategies. The business case helps to evaluate the feasibility and viability of the software acquisition and to support the decision-making process. A feasibility study is a document that analyzes the technical, operational, economic, legal, and social aspects of a software solution to determine its feasibility and suitability for the organization’s needs, but it does not necessarily provide a clear indication of the software benefits to the organization. A request for proposal (RFP) is a document that solicits proposals from potential vendors or suppliers for a software solution based on the organization’s requirements and specifications, but it does not necessarily provide a clear indication of the software benefits to the organization. The alignment with IT strategy is a factor that influences the software acquisition processand ensures that the software solution supports and enables the organization’s IT strategy, but it is not a document that can be reviewed by an IS auditor to understand the software benefits to the organization. References: CISA Review Manual(Digital Version), Chapter 3: Information Systems Acquisition, Development & Implementation, Section 3.1: Business Case Development

The auditor’s next action after finding that there is an informal unwritten set of standards in the IS department is to document and test compliance with the informal standards. This is because the auditor’s role is to evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of the existing controls, regardless of whether they are formal or informal, written or unwritten. The auditor should also assess the risks and implications of having informal standards, such as lack of consistency, accountability, or traceability. The auditor should not make recommendations, postpone the audit, or finalize the audit without performing the audit procedures. References:

CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 2, Section 2.21

CISA Online Review Course, Domain 1, Module 1, Lesson 12

 The planning phase is the stage of the internal audit process where contact is established with the individuals responsible for the business processes in scope for review. The planning phase involves defining the objectives, scope, and criteria of the audit, as well as identifying the key risks and controls related to the audited area. The planning phase also involves communicating with the auditee to obtain relevant information, documents, and data, as well as to schedule interviews, walkthroughs, and meetings. The planning phase aims to ensure that the audit team has a clear understanding of the audited area and its context, and that the audit plan is aligned with the expectations and needs of the auditee and other stakeholders.

The execution phase is the stage of the internal audit process where the audit team performs the audit procedures according to the audit plan. The execution phase involves testing the design and operating effectiveness of the controls, collecting and analyzing evidence, documenting the audit work and results, and identifying any issues or findings. The execution phase aims to provide sufficient and appropriate evidence to support the audit conclusions and recommendations.

The follow-up phase is the stage of the internal audit process where the audit team monitors and verifies the implementation of the corrective actions agreed upon by the auditee in response to the audit findings. The follow-up phase involves reviewing the evidence provided by the auditee, conducting additional tests or interviews if necessary, and evaluating whether the corrective actions have adequately addressed the root causes of the findings. The follow-up phase aims to ensure that the auditee has taken timely and effective actions to improve its processes and controls.

The selection phase is not a standard stage of the internal audit process, but it may refer to the process of selecting which areas or functions to audit based on a risk assessment or an annual audit plan. The selection phase involves evaluating the inherent and residual risks of each potential auditable area, considering the impact, likelihood, and frequency of those risks, as well as other factors such as regulatory requirements, stakeholder expectations, previous audit results, and available resources. The selection phase aims to prioritize and allocate the audit resources to those areas that present the highest risks or opportunities for improvement.

Therefore, option A is the correct answer.

A test plan for the BCP is essential to ensure that the plan is effective, updated and aligned with the current business needs and objectives. A change in organizational structure with significant impact to business processes may require a revision of the BCP and a new test plan to validate its adequacy. The lack of a test plan for the BCP for two years indicates a high risk of failure in the event ofa disaster or disruption. Therefore, this should be the auditor’s greatest concern among the given options. References:

ISACA, IT Control Objectives for Sarbanes-Oxley, 4th Edition, section 5.3.21

ISACA, CISA Review Manual, 27th Edition, chapter 5, section 5.42

Validation of rules by the business is the most helpful in establishing a baseline for measuring data quality because it ensures that the rules reflect the business needs and expectations. Validation of rules by the business also helps to identify and resolve any inconsistencies or conflicts among different data sources or stakeholders. Input from customers, industry standard business definitions and built-in data error prevention application controlsare useful for improving data quality, but they are not sufficient for establishing a baseline. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version) 1, Chapter 5, Section 5.4.1

 The best source of information to determine the required level of data protection on a file server is the data classification policy and procedures, which define the criteria and methods for classifying data according to its sensitivity, value, and criticality, and specify the appropriate security measures and controls for each data category. Data classification policy and procedures help to ensure that data is protected in proportion to its importance and risk exposure. Access rights of similar file servers, previous data breach incident reports,and acceptable use policy and privacy statements are not sufficient or reliable sources of information to determine the required level of data protection on a file server, as they do not provide clear and consistent guidance on how to classify and protectdata. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 5: Protection of Information Assets, Section 5.1: Information Asset Security Framework

The best indication to an IS auditor that management’s post-implementation review was effective is that lessons learned were documented and applied, as this shows that the management has identified and addressed the issues and gaps that arose during the implementation, and has improved the processes and practices for future projects. Business and IT stakeholders participating in the post-implementation review is a good practice, but it does not guarantee that the review was effective or that the outcomes were implemented. Post-implementation review being a formal phase in the system development life cycle (SDLC) is a requirement, but it does not ensure that the review was effective or that the outcomes were implemented. Internal audit follow-up being completed without any findings is a desirable result, but it does not indicate that the management’s post-implementation review was effectiveorthat the outcomes were implemented. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 3: Information Systems Acquisition, Development andImplementation, Section 3.2: Project Management Practices1

 The best way to reduce the immediate risk associated with using an unsupported version of the software is to segregate the outdated software system from the main network. This will limit the exposure of the system to potential attacks and prevent it from compromising other systems on the network. Segregating the system will also reduce the impact of any security incidents that may occur on the system.

Monitoring network traffic attempting to reach the outdated software system (option C) is not the best way to reduce the risk, as it will not prevent or stop any attacks on the system. It will only provide visibility into the network activity and alert the auditee of any suspicious or malicious traffic.

Verifying all patches have been applied to the software system’s outdated version (option A) and closing all unused ports on the outdated software system (option B) are also not the best ways to reduce the risk, as they will not address the underlying issue of using an unsupported version of the software. Patches and ports may still have vulnerabilities that are not fixed by the vendor, and attackers may exploit them to gain access to the system.

Therefore, option D is the correct answer.

The first step in managing the impact of a recently discovered zero-day attack is to identify vulnerable assets. A zero-day attack is a cyberattack that exploits a previously unknown or unpatched vulnerability in a software or system, before the vendor or developer has had time to fix it. Identifying vulnerable assets is crucial for managing the impact of a zero-day attack, because it helps to determine the scope and severity of the attack, prioritize the protection and mitigation measures, and isolate or quarantine the affected assets from further damage or compromise. The other options are not the first steps in managing the impact of a zero-day attack, because they either require more informationabout the vulnerable assets, or they are part of the subsequentsteps of assessing, responding, or recovering from the attack. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version)1, Chapter 5, Section 5.2.4

The best recommendation to prevent unauthorized access to a highly sensitive data center by piggybacking or tailgating is to use an airlock entrance. An airlock entrance is a type of access control system that consists of two doors that are interlocked, so that only one door can be opened at a time. This prevents an unauthorized person from following an authorized person into the data center without being detected. An airlock entrance can also be integrated with other security measures, such as biometrics, card readers, or PIN pads, to verify the identity and authorization of each person entering the data center.

Biometrics (option A) is a method of verifying the identity of a person based on their physical or behavioral characteristics, such as fingerprints, iris scans, or voice recognition. Biometrics can provide a high level of security, but they are not sufficient to prevent piggybacking or tailgating, as an unauthorized person can still follow an authorized person who has been authenticated by the biometric system.

Procedures for escorting visitors (option B) is a policy that requires all visitors to the data center to be accompanied by an authorized employee at all times. This can help prevent unauthorized access by visitors, but it does not address the risk of piggybacking or tailgating by other employees or contractors who may have legitimate access to the building but not to the data center.

Intruder alarms (option D) are devices that detect and alert when an unauthorized person enters a restricted area. Intruder alarms can provide a deterrent and a response mechanism for unauthorized access, but they are not effective in preventing piggybacking or tailgating, as they rely on the detection of the intruder after they have already entered the data center.

A maturity model for a technology organization is a tool that measures the progress and capability of the IT function in relation to its goals, processes, and practices. A maturity model can help identify gaps and areas for improvement, as well as benchmark the IT function against industry standards or best practices. One of the key aspects of a maturity model is the definition and clarity of roles and responsibilities for the IT function and its stakeholders. A roles and responsibility matrix, such as a RACI matrix, is a document that clarifies who is responsible, accountable, consulted, and informed for each task or deliverable in a project or process. A roles and responsibility matrix can help avoid confusion, duplication, or omission of work, as well as ensure accountability and communication among the IT function and its customers, partners, and suppliers. Therefore, an IS auditor should focus on reviewing the roles and responsibility matrix when evaluating the maturity model for a technology organization.

A standard operating procedure (SOP) is a document that describes the steps and instructions for performing a routine or repetitive task or process. SOPs are important for ensuring consistency, quality, and compliance in the IT function, but they are not directly related to the maturity model. A service level agreement (SLA) is a contract that defines the expectations and obligations between an IT service provider and its customers. SLAs are important for ensuring customer satisfaction, performance measurement, and dispute resolution in the IT function, but they are not directly related to the maturity model. A business resiliency plan is a document that outlines how an IT function will continue to operate or recover from a disruption or disaster. Business resiliency is important for ensuring availability, reliability, and security in the IT function, but it is not directly related to the maturity model. References: 1: Maturity Models for IT & Technology | Splunk 2: Responsibility assignment matrix - Wikipedia 3: Roles and Responsibilities Matrix - SDLCforms

 The best process for continuous auditing for a large financial institution is validating access controls for real-time data systems. This is because access controls are critical for ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the financial data that is processed and transmitted by the real-time data systems. Real-time data systems are systems that provide timely and accurate information to support decision-making and transactions in a dynamic and complex environment. Examples of real-time data systems in the financial sector include payment systems, trading platforms, risk management systems, and fraud detection systems. Continuous auditing of access controls can help detect and prevent unauthorized access, data leakage, data manipulation, or data loss that could compromise the security, reliability, or compliance of the real-time data systems.

Testing encryption standards on the disaster recovery system is not the best process for continuous auditing for a large financial institution. Encryption standards are important for protecting the data stored or transmitted by the disaster recovery system, which is a system that provides backup and recovery capabilities in case of a disruption or disaster. However, testing encryption standards is not a continuous process, but rather a periodic or event-driven process that can be performed as part of the disaster recovery plan testing or validation.

Performing parallel testing between systems is not the best process for continuous auditing for a large financial institution. Parallel testing is a process of comparing the results of two or more systems that perform the same function or task, such as a new system and an old system, or a primary system and a backup system. Parallel testing can help verify the accuracy, consistency, and compatibility of the systems. However, parallel testing is not a continuous process, but rather a temporary or transitional process that can be performed as part of the system implementation or migration.

Validating performance of help desk metrics is not the best process for continuous auditing for a large financial institution. Help desk metrics are indicators that measure the efficiency, effectiveness, and quality of the help desk service, which is a service that provides technical support and assistance to the users of information systems and technology. Help desk metrics can include metrics such as response time, resolution time, customer satisfaction, and service level agreement (SLA) compliance. Validating performance of help desk metrics can help evaluate and improve the help desk service. However, validating performance of help desk metrics is not a continuous auditing process, but rather a continuous monitoring process that can be performed by the help desk management or quality assurance team.

The best assurance of data integrity after file transfers is hash values. Hash values are unique strings that are generated by applying a mathematical function to the data. Hash values can be used to verify that the data has not been altered or corrupted during the transfer, as any change in the data would result in a different hash value. By comparing the hash values of the source and destination files, one can confirm that the data is identical and intact.

The other options are not as effective as hash values for ensuring data integrity after file transfers. Check digits are digits added to a number to detect errors in data entry or transmission, but they are not reliable for detecting intentional or complex modifications of the data. Monetary unit sampling is a statistical sampling technique used for auditing financial statements, but it is not applicable for verifying data integrity after file transfers. Reasonableness check is a validation method that checks whether the data falls within an expected range or format, but it does not guarantee that the data is accurate or consistent with the source.

A digital signature is the most appropriate control to ensure integrity of online orders because it provides a way to verify the authenticity and integrity of the data sent by the sender. A digital signature is created by applying a cryptographic algorithm to the data and attaching the result to the data. The receiver can then use the sender’s public key to verify that the data has not been altered or tampered with during transmission. A digital signature also provides non-repudiation, which means that the sender cannot deny sending the data.

Data Encryption Standard (DES) is a symmetric encryption algorithm that can provide confidentiality of online orders, but not integrity. DES uses the same key to encrypt and decrypt the data, which means that anyone who has the key can modify the data without detection.

Public key encryption is an asymmetric encryption algorithm that can also provide confidentiality of online orders, but not integrity. Public key encryption uses a pair of keys: a public key and a private key. The sender encrypts the data with the receiver’s public key, and the receiver decrypts it with their own private key. However, public key encryption does not prevent anyone from modifying the encrypted data.

Multi-factor authentication is a control that can provide authentication and authorization of online orders, but not integrity. Multi-factor authentication requires the user to provide two or more pieces of evidence to prove their identity, such as a password, a token, or a biometric factor. Multi-factor authentication can prevent unauthorized access to online orders, but it does not protect the data from being modified after being sent.

 In the development of a new financial application, the IS auditor’s first involvement should be in the feasibility study. A feasibility study is a preliminary analysis that evaluates the technical, operational, economic, and legal aspects of a proposed project or system. A feasibility study helps determine whether the project or system is viable, feasible, and desirable for the organization and its stakeholders.

The IS auditor’s role in the feasibility study is to provide an independent and objective assessment of the project or system’s risks, benefits, costs, and impacts. The IS auditor should also ensure that the feasibility study follows a structured and systematic approach, considers all relevant factors and alternatives, and complies with the organization’s policies and standards. The IS auditor should also verify that the feasibility study is documented and communicated to the appropriate decision-makers.

The IS auditor’s involvement in the feasibility study is important because it can help:

Identify and mitigate potential risks and issues that could affect the project or system’s success

Evaluate and justify the project or system’s alignment with the organization’s strategy, goals, and value proposition

Estimate and optimize the project or system’s resources, budget, schedule, and quality

Assess and enhance the project or system’s security, reliability, performance, and usability

Ensure that the project or system meets the expectations and requirements of the users and other stakeholders

The other three options are not the first involvement of the IS auditor in the development of a new financial application, although they may be part of the subsequent stages of the development process. Control design is the process of defining and implementing controls that ensure the security, integrity, availability, and efficiency of the system. Application design is the process of specifying the functional and technical features of the system. System test is the process of verifying that the system meets the specifications and requirements.

Therefore, feasibility study is the best answer.

The overall effectiveness of an organization’s disaster recovery planning process depends on how well the plan reflects the current and future needs and risks of the organization, and how well the plan is tested, communicated, and maintained. Among the four options given, the most important one for the IS auditor to verify is that management reviews and updates the plan annually or as changes occur.

A disaster recovery plan is not a static document that can be created once and forgotten. It is a dynamic and evolving process that requires regular review and update to ensure that it remains relevant, accurate, and effective. A disaster recovery plan should be reviewed and updated at least annually, or whenever there are significant changes in the organization’s structure, operations, environment, or regulations. These changes could affect the business impact analysis, risk assessment, recovery objectives, recovery strategies, roles and responsibilities, or resources of the disaster recovery plan. If the plan is not updated to reflect these changes, it could become obsolete, incomplete, or inconsistent, and fail to meet the organization’s recovery needs or expectations.

The other three options are not as important as reviewing and updating the plan, although they may also contribute to the effectiveness of the disaster recovery planning process. Contracting with a third party for warm site services is a possible recovery strategy that involves using a partially equipped facility that can be quickly activated in case of a disaster. However, this strategy may not be suitable or sufficient for every organization or scenario, and it does not guarantee the success of the disaster recovery plan. Scheduling an annual tabletop exercise is a good practice that involves simulating a disaster scenario and testing the plan in a hypothetical setting. However, this exercisemay not be enough to evaluate the feasibility or readiness of the plan, and it should be complemented by other types of tests, such as walkthroughs, drills, or full-scale exercises. Documenting and distributing a copy of the plan to all personnel is an essential step that ensures that everyone involved in or affected by the plan is aware of their roles and responsibilities, and has access to the relevant information and instructions. However, this step alone does not ensure that the plan is understood or followed by all personnel, and it should be accompanied by proper training, education, and awareness programs.

Therefore, reviewing and updating the plan annually or as changes occur is the best answer.

The lack of system documentation should be of most concern to an IS auditor reviewing the information systems acquisition, development, and implementation process. This is because system documentation is a vital source of information that describes the system’s purpose, functionality, design, architecture, testing, deployment, operation, and maintenance. System documentation helps the IS auditor to understand and evaluate the system’s quality, performance, security, compliance, and alignment with the business requirements and objectives. Without system documentation, the IS auditor may not be able to perform a thorough and effective audit of the system, aswell as identify any issues or risks that may affect the system’s reliability or integrity12.

Data owners are not trained on the use of data conversion tools is not the most concerning issue, although it may indicate a lack of user readiness or competence for the system implementation. Data conversion tools are software applications that help users to transform data from one format or structure to another, such as from legacy systems to new systems. Data owners are users who have the responsibility and authority to manage and control the data within their domain. Data owners should be trained on how to use data conversion tools to ensure that the data is accurately and securely transferred to the new system, as well as to avoid any data loss, corruption, or inconsistency. However, data owners are not the only users who need training for the system implementation, and data conversion tools are not the only tools that need training34.

A post-implementation lessons-learned exercise was not conducted is not the most concerning issue, although it may indicate a lack of continuous improvement or learning culture for the system development and implementation process. A post-implementation lessons-learned exercise is a meeting or a session that takes place after the completion of a system implementation project, where the project team and stakeholders discuss and document the successes and failures of the project, as well as identify any best practices or areas for improvement for future projects. Apost-implementation lessons-learned exercise can help to enhance the project management skills, knowledge, and performance of the project team and stakeholders, as well as to avoid repeating the same mistakes or problems in future projects56.

System deployment is routinely performed by contractors is not the most concerning issue, although it may pose some challenges or risks for the system implementation process. System deployment is the final stage of the system development life cycle (SDLC), where the system is installed and configured on the target environment and made available for use by end-users. System deployment can be performed by internal staff or external contractors, depending on the availability, expertise, and cost of resources. System deployment by contractors may offer some benefits such as faster delivery, lower cost, or higher quality than internal staff. However, system deployment by contractors mayalso introduce some risks such as loss of control, dependency, or security breaches over the system implementation process

 The first step for the security incident response team after an IS security attack is reported is to perform a damage assessment. This involves identifying the scope, impact and root cause of the incident, as well as collecting and preserving evidence for further analysis and investigation. Reporting results to management, documenting lessons learned and prioritizing resources for corrective action are important steps, but they should be done after the damage assessment is completed. References: CISA Review Manual (DigitalVersion), Chapter 6, Section 6.31

The greatest risk if two users have concurrent access to the same database record is data integrity. Data integrity is the property that ensures that the data is accurate, complete, consistent, and valid throughout its lifecycle. If two users have concurrent access to the same database record, they may modify or delete the data in a conflicting or inconsistent manner, resulting in data corruption, loss, or duplication. This can affect the reliability and quality of the data, and cause errors or anomalies in the database operations and functions. The IS auditor should verify that the database has adequate controls to prevent or resolve concurrent access issues, such as locking mechanisms, transaction isolation levels, concurrency control protocols, or timestamping methods. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version)1, Chapter 5, Section 5.2.7

 A disaster recovery plan (DRP) is a set of detailed, documented guidelines that outline a business’ critical assets and explain how the organization will respond to unplanned incidents. Unplanned incidents or disasters typically include cyberattacks, system failures, power outages, natural disasters, equipment failures, or infrastructure damage1. A DRP aims to minimize the impact of a disaster on the business continuity, data integrity, and service delivery of the organization. A DRP also helps the organization recover from a disaster as quickly and efficiently as possible.

A DRP should include steps for obtaining replacement supplies, as this is an essential part of restoring the normal operation of the organization after a disaster. Replacement supplies may include hardware, software, data, network components, office equipment, or other resources that are needed to resume the business functions and processes that were disrupted by the disaster. Obtaining replacement supplies may involve contacting vendors, suppliers, or partners; activating backup or alternative systems; or purchasing or renting new equipment. A DRP should identify the sources, locations, and costs of the replacement supplies, as well as the procedures and responsibilities for acquiring and installing them.

The other three options are not steps that a DRP should include, as they are either part of the pre-disaster planning process or not directly related to the disaster recovery objectives. Assessing and quantifying risk is a step that should be done before creating a DRP, as it helps identify the potential threats and vulnerabilities that could affect the organization and determine the likelihood and impact of each scenario2. Negotiating contracts with disaster planning consultants is also a pre-disaster activity that may help the organization design, implement, test, and maintain a DRP with external expertise and guidance3. Identifying application control requirements is not a step in a DRP, but rather a part of the application development and maintenance process that ensures the quality, security, and reliability of the software applications used by the organization.

Therefore, obtaining replacement supplies is the correct answer.

The concept of materiality is most important for an IS auditor to apply when planning an audit engagement, because it helps the auditor to determine the scope, objectives, procedures and resources of the audit. Materiality is the degree to which an omission or misstatement of information could affect the users’ decisions or the achievement of the audit objectives. By applying the concept of materiality, the auditor can focus on the most significant and relevant areas of the audit and avoid wasting time and effort on trivial or immaterial matters. The other options are not as important as planning an audit engagement, because they are either based on or affected by the materiality assessment done during the planning phase. References:

ISACA, CISA Review Manual, 27th Edition, chapter 1, section 1.31

ISACA, IT Audit and Assurance Standards, Guidelines and Tools and Techniques forIS Audit and Assurance Professionals, section 12022

The first step in auditing a data communication system is to determine the business use and types of messages to be transmitted. This is because the auditor needs to understand the purpose, scope, and objectives of the data communication system, as well as the nature, volume, and sensitivity of the data being transmitted. This will help the auditor to identify the risks, controls, and audit criteria for the data communication system. Traffic volumes and response-time criteria, physical security for network equipment, and the level of redundancy in the various communication paths are important aspects of a data communication system, but they are not the first step in auditing it. They depend on the business use and types of messages to be transmitted, and they may vary according to different scenarios and requirements. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), [ISACA Auditing Standards]

 The auditor should be most concerned with the impact AI will have on enterprise architecture (EA) when reviewing a project to replace multiple manual data entry systems with an AI system. EA is a comprehensive framework that defines the structure, components, relationships, and principles of an organization’s IT environment. EA can help to align the IT strategy with the business strategy and ensure the coherence, consistency, and integration of the IT systems and services. Replacing manual data entry systems with an AI system may have significant implications for the EA, such aschanging the business processes, data flows, security requirements, performance standards, or governance models. The auditor should assess whether the project has considered the impact of AI on EA and whether the EA has been updated accordingly. References:

CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 1, Section 1.41

CISA Online Review Course, Domain 5, Module 1, Lesson 22

Substantive testing is the most important type of testing during software license audits, as it provides evidence of the accuracy and completeness of the software inventory and licensing records. Substantive testing involves examiningtransactions, balances, and other data to verify their validity, existence, accuracy, and valuation. Compliance testing, on the other hand, is more focused on assessing the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls over software licensing, such as policies, procedures,and monitoring mechanisms. Compliance testing alone cannot provide sufficient assurance that the software license audit objectives are met, as itdoes notverify the actual software usage and compliance status. Judgmental sampling and stop-or-go sampling are methods of selecting samples for testing, not types of testing themselves. *References: According to the ISACA IT Audit and Assurance Standards, Guidelines and Tools and Techniques for IS Audit and Assurance Professionals, section 1206 Testing, “The IS audit and assurance professional should perform sufficient testing to obtain sufficient appropriate evidence to support conclusions reached.” 1 The section also defines substantive testing as “testing performed to obtain audit evidence to detect material misstatements in transactions orbalances” and compliance testing as “testing performed to obtain audit evidence on theoperating effectiveness of controls.” 1 According to the ISACA IT Audit and Assurance Guideline G15 Software License Management, “The objective of a software license auditis to provide management with an independent assessment relating to compliance with software license agreements.” 2 The guideline also states that “substantive tests should be performed on a sample basis to verify that all software installed on devices within scope has been appropriately licensed.” 2

 The best evidence of an IT strategy correction’s effectiveness is the synchronization of IT activities with corporate objectives. The IT strategy correction is a process of reviewing and adjusting the IT strategy to ensure that it aligns with and supports the corporate strategy and objectives. The synchronization of IT activities with corporate objectives means that the IT activities are consistent with and contribute to the achievement of the corporate goals and vision. The IS auditor can measure and evaluate the IT strategy correction’s effectiveness by comparing the IT activities with the corporate objectives, and assessing whether they are aligned, integrated, and coordinated. The other options are not as good evidence of an IT strategy correction’s effectiveness, because they either do not reflect the alignment of IT and business, or they are inputs or outputs of the IT strategycorrection process rather than outcomes or results. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version)1, Chapter 1, Section 1.2.1

The best testing approach to facilitate rapid identification of application interface errors is automated testing. Automated testing is the use of software tools or scripts to execute predefined test cases, compare expected and actual outcomes, and report any discrepancies. Automated testing can help to speed up the testing process, increase test coverage, reduce human errors, and improve test accuracy and consistency. Automated testing can also help to detect interface errors that may occur due to incompatible data formats, communication protocols, or system configurations. References:

CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 3, Section 3.3.11

CISA OnlineReview Course, Domain 2, Module 2, Lesson 1

The risk that is most affected by this oversight is audit risk. Audit risk is the risk that the auditor may express an inappropriate opinion or conclusion based on the audit evidence obtained. Audit risk consists of inherent risk, control risk, and detection risk. Inherent risk is the risk that material errors or frauds exist in the audited area before considering the effectiveness of internal controls. Control risk is the risk that the internal controls fail to prevent or detect material errors or frauds. Detection risk is the risk that the auditor fails to identify material errors or frauds using the audit procedures performed. In this case, the auditor has overlooked evidence that could contradict a conclusion of the audit, which increases the detection risk and consequently the audit risk. References:

CISA Review Manual (DigitalVersion), Chapter 2, Section 2.31

CISA Online Review Course, Domain 1, Module 1, Lesson 32

Comprehensive and Detailed in-Depth Explanation:

The primary role of KPIs is to provide measurable insights into the performance of business processes and identify variances that may require corrective actions. KPIs help organizations understand whether their processes are achieving desired outcomes and where improvements are needed.

While Option A discusses workflow optimization, it is a secondary benefit rather than the primary purpose. Options B and C do not accurately describe the core purpose of KPIs.

ISACA CISA Reference: Domain 1 - Information System Auditing Process

The auditor’s best course of action after discovering instances where employees shared license keys to critical pieces of business software is to verify whether the licensing agreement allows shared use. A licensing agreement is a contract between the software provider and the user that defines the terms and conditions of using the software, including the number, type, and scope of licenses granted. Some licensing agreements may allow shared use of license keys among multiple users or devices, while others may prohibit or restrict such use. By verifying the licensing agreement, the auditor can determine whether the employees violated the contract or not, and whether there are any legal or financial risks or implications for the organization.

The other options are not as appropriate as option D, as they may not address the root cause of the issue or provide a comprehensive solution. Recommending the utilization of software licensing monitoring tools may help prevent or detect future instances of license key sharing, but it does not resolve the current situation or ensure compliance with the licensing agreement. Recommending the purchase of additional software license keys may be unnecessary or wasteful if the licensing agreement already allows shared use or if there are unused licenses available. Validating user need for shared software licenses may help identify the reasons or motivations behind license key sharing, but it does not justify or excuse such behavior if it violates the licensing agreement.

The use of access control lists (ACLs) is the most effective method to mitigate security risk for routers because they can limit Telnet and traffic from the open Internet. Telnet is a protocol that allows remote access to a device, which can pose a security threat if not properly controlled. Traffic from the open Internet can also contain malicious packets that can harm the network or the router itself. ACLs act as filters that can block or allow specific types of traffic based on predefined criteria, such as source and destination addresses, protocols, ports, and flags. By using ACLs, routers can prevent unauthorized access and reduce the exposure to potential attacks.

The most appropriate population to sample from when testing for remediation of findings identified in an organization’s user provisioning process is all users provisioned after the final audit report was issued. This is because the final audit report is the official document that communicates the audit findings, recommendations, and action plans to the management and other stakeholders. It also establishes a baseline for measuring the progress and effectiveness of the remediation efforts. Therefore, sampling from the users provisioned after the final audit report was issued would provide the most relevant and reliable evidence of whether the audit issues have been resolved or not.

The other options are not as appropriate as option C, as they may not reflect the actual status of the remediation efforts. All users provisioned after the finding was originally identified may include users who were provisioned before the final audit report was issued, which may not capture the full impact of the remediation actions. All users provisioned after management resolved the audit issue may not be accurate, as management’s resolution may not be verified or validated by an independent party. All users who have followed user provisioning processes provided by management may not be representative, as there may be exceptions or deviations from the processes that could affect the remediation results.

A firewall between internal network segments improves security and reduces risk by inspecting all traffic flowing between network segments and applying security policies. This will prevent unauthorized or malicious access, data leakage, or network attacks from compromising the network resources or data. Logging all packets passing through network segments may provide audit trails and evidence, but not prevent or mitigate security incidents. Monitoring and reporting on sessions between network participants may help to identify anomalous or suspicious activities, but not block or filter them. Ensuring all connecting systems have appropriate security controls enabled may enhance the overall network security posture, but not isolate or segregate different network segments. References: Info Technology & Systems Resources | COBIT, Risk, Governance … - ISACA, section “Book COBIT 2019 Design Guide: Designing an Information and Technology Governance Solution | Digital | English”

The most important responsibility of user departments associated with program changes is approving changes before implementation. This is because user departments are the primary stakeholders and beneficiaries of the program changes, and they need to ensure that the changes meet their requirements, expectations, and objectives. User departments also need to approve the changes before implementation to avoid unauthorized, unnecessary, or erroneous changes that could affect the functionality, performance, or security of the program.

Providing unit test data is a responsibility of user departments associated with program changes, but it is not the most important one. Unit test data is used to verify that the individual components of the program work as expected after the changes. However, unit test data alone cannot guarantee that the program as a whole works correctly, or that the changes are aligned with the user departments’ needs.

Analyzing change requests is a responsibility of user departments associated with program changes, but it is not the most important one. Analyzing change requests is the process of evaluating the feasibility, necessity, and impact of the proposed changes. However, analyzing change requests does not ensure that the changes are implemented correctly, or that they are acceptable to the user departments.

Updating documentation to reflect latest changes is a responsibility of user departments associated with program changes, but it is not the most important one. Updating documentation is the process of maintaining accurate and complete records of the program’s specifications, features, and functionsafter the changes. However, updating documentation does not ensure that the changes are effective, or that they are approved by the user departments.

 An IS auditor is analyzing a sample of accounts payable transactions for a specific vendor and identifies one transaction with a value five times as high as the average transaction. The next step that the auditor should do is to request an explanation of the variance from the auditee. This is because the variance may indicate an error, fraud, or an unusual but legitimate transaction that requires further investigation. The auditor should not report the variance immediately to the audit committee without verifying its cause and significance. The auditor should not increase the sample size to 100% of the population without considering the cost-benefit analysis and the sampling methodology. The auditor should not exclude the transaction from the sample population without justification, as itmay affect the validity and reliability of the audit results. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), [ISACA Auditing Standards]

A project business case is a document that describes the rationale and justification for initiating a project, based on its expected costs, benefits, risks, and feasibility. A project business case provides the most useful information to an IS auditor when selecting projects for inclusion in an IT audit plan, because it helps the IS auditor to:

Understand the purpose, scope, objectives, and deliverables of the project

Assess the alignment of the project with the organization’s strategy, vision, and goals

Evaluate the value proposition and return on investment of the project

Identify the key stakeholders, sponsors, and owners of the project

Analyze the potential risks and issues associated with the project

Compare and prioritize the project with other competing projects

The other possible options are:

A. Project charter: A project charter is a document that formally authorizes and defines the high-level scope, roles, responsibilities, and authority of a project. A project charter provides some useful information to an IS auditor when selecting projects for inclusion in an IT audit plan, but it is not the most useful information. A project charter does not provide enough details about the costs, benefits, risks, and feasibility of the project, which are essential for evaluating its suitability for an IT audit plan.

B. Project plan: A project plan is a document that outlines the detailed scope, schedule, budget, resources, quality, and communication plans of a project. A project plan provides some useful information to an IS auditor when selecting projects for inclusion in an IT audit plan, but it is not the most useful information. A project plan does not provide enough information about the rationale, justification, value proposition, and alignment of the project with the organization’s strategy and goals, which are important for assessing its relevance for an IT audit plan.

C. Project issue log: A project issue log is a document that records and tracks the issues that arise during a project’s execution and how they are resolved. A project issue log provides some useful information to an IS auditor when selecting projects for inclusion in an IT audit plan, but it is not the most useful information. A project issue log does not provide enough information about the purpose, objectives, benefits, and feasibility of the project, which are critical for determining its priority for an IT audit plan.

 The answer B is correct because data minimization is the most important design consideration to mitigate the risk of exposing data through application programming interface (API) queries. An API is a set of rules and protocols that allows different software components or systems to communicate and exchange data. API queries are requests sent by users or applications to an API to retrieve or manipulate data. For example, a user may query an API to get information about a product, a service, or a location.

Data minimization is the principle of collecting, processing, and storing only the minimum amount of data that are necessary for a specific purpose. Data minimization can help to reduce the risk of exposing data through API queries by limiting the amount and type of data that are available or accessible through the API. Data minimization can also help to protect the privacy and security of the data subjects and the data providers, as well as to comply with the relevant laws and regulations.

Some of the benefits of data minimization for API design are:

Privacy: Data minimization can enhance the privacy of the data subjects by ensuring that only the data that are relevant and essential for the API purpose are collected and processed. This can prevent unnecessary or excessive collection or disclosure of personal or sensitive data, such as names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, etc. Data minimization can also help to comply with the privacy laws and regulations that require data protection by design and by default, such as GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) or CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act).

Security: Data minimization can improve the security of the data providers by reducing the attack surface and the potential damage of a data breach. If less data are stored or transmitted through the API, there are fewer opportunities for attackers to access or compromise the data. Data minimization can also help to implement security controls such as encryption, access control, or logging more efficiently and effectively.

Performance: Data minimization can increase the performance of the API by optimizing the use of resources and bandwidth. If less data are stored or transmitted through the API, there are less storage space and network traffic required. Data minimization can also help to improve the speed and reliability of the API responses.

Some of the techniques for data minimization in API design are:

Define clear and specific purposes for the API and document them in the API specification or documentation.

Identify and classify the data that are needed for each purpose and assign them appropriate labels or levels, such as public, internal, confidential, or restricted.

Implement filters or parameters in the API queries that allow users or applications to specify or limit the data fields or attributes they want to retrieve or manipulate.

Use pagination or throttling in the API responses that limit the number or size of data items returned per request.

Use anonymization or pseudonymization techniques that remove or replace any identifying information from the data before sending them through the API.

Some examples of web resources that discuss data minimization in API design are:

Data Minimization in Web APIs - World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)

Adding Privacy by Design in Secure Application Development

Chung-ju/Data-Minimization: A repository of related papers. - GitHub

An acceptable use policy (AUP) is a preventive control that sets out rules and guidelines for using an organization’s IT resources, including networks, devices, and software1. It defines acceptable and prohibited behaviors, aiming to protect assets, ensure security, and maintain a productive work environment1. By agreeing to and documenting an AUP for the equipment, both organizations can prevent potential misuse of IT resources2345.