Isaca Updated CISA Exam Questions and Answers by giorgio

 The best way to detect that a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack is occurring is to use automated monitoring of logs. A DDoS attack disrupts the operations of a server, service, or network byflooding it with unwanted Internet traffic2. Automated monitoring of logs can help pinpoint potentialDDoS attacks by analyzing network traffic patterns, monitoring traffic spikes or other unusual activity, and alertingadministrators or security teams of any anomalies or malicious requests, protocols, or IP blocks3. Automated monitoring of logs can also help identify the source, type, and impact of the DDoS attack, and provide evidence for further investigation or mitigation.

The other options are not as effective as automated monitoring of logs for detecting DDoS attacks. Customer service complaints are an indirect and delayed indicator of a DDoS attack, as they rely onusers reporting problems with accessing a website or service. Customer service complaints may also be caused by other factors unrelated to DDoS attacks, such as server errors or network issues. Server crashes are an extreme and undesirable indicator of a DDoS attack, as they indicate that the server has already been overwhelmed by the attack and has stopped functioning. Server crashes may also result in data loss or corruption, service disruption, or reputational damage. Penetration testing is a proactive and preventive measure for assessing the security posture of a system or network, but it does not detect ongoing DDoS attacks. Penetration testing may involve simulating DDoS attacks to test the resilienceor vulnerability of a system or network, but it does not monitor real-time traffic or identify actual attackers.

References:

ISACA CISA Review Manual 27th Edition (2019), page 254

How to prevent DDoS attacks | Methods and tools | Cloudflare2

Understanding Denial-of-Service Attacks | CISA3

The first task that an IS auditor should complete during the preliminary planning phase of a database security review is to determine which databases will be in scope. The scope defines the boundaries and objectives of the audit, as well as the resources, time, and budget required. The IS auditor should identify the databases that are relevant to the audit based on factors such as their criticality, risk, complexity, size, type, location, and ownership. The IS auditor should also consider the regulatory, contractual, and organizational requirements that apply to the databases. By defining the scope clearly and accurately, the IS auditor can ensure that the audit is focused, feasible, and effective. References:

CISA Review Manual (Digital Version)

CISA Questions, Answers & Explanations Database

The primary role of a control self-assessment (CSA) facilitator is to focus the team on internal controls. A CSA facilitator is a person who guides the CSA process and helps the participants to identify, assess, and improve their internal controls. The facilitator does not conduct interviews, report on weaknesses, or provide solutions, as these are the responsibilities of the participants themselves1.

The other options are incorrect because they are not the primary role of a CSA facilitator. Option A, conduct interviews to gain background information, is a preliminary step that may be done by the facilitator or the participants before the CSA session, but it is not the main purpose of the facilitator. Option C, report on the internal control weaknesses, is an outcome of the CSA process that should be done by the participants who own and operate the controls. Option D, provide solutions for control weaknesses, is also an outcome of the CSA process that should be done by the participants who are in charge of implementing the improvements.

References:

ISACA, CISA Review Manual, 27th Edition, 2019, page 2822

ISACA, CISA Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Database - 12 Month Subscription, QID 1066693

PwC, Control Self Assessments4

Workiva, 4factors of an effective control self-assessment (CSA) program5

 The best way to help management understand the associated risk of missing backup cycles due to operator error and lack of exception management is to explain the impact to disaster recovery. Disaster recovery is the process of restoring normal operations and functions after a disruptive event, such as a natural disaster, a cyberattack, or a hardware failure. Backup cycles are essential for disaster recovery, because they ensure that the organization has copies of its critical data and systems that can be restored in case of data loss or corruption. If backup cycles are missed due to operator error, and these exceptions are not managed, the organization may not have the latest or complete backups available for disaster recovery, which can result in prolonged downtime, reduced productivity, lost revenue, reputational damage, and legal or regulatory penalties. The other options are not as effective asexplaining the impact to disaster recovery, because they either do not address the risk of data loss or corruption, or they focus on operational or technical aspects rather than business outcomes. References: CISA Review Manual (Digital Version)1, Chapter 5, Section 5.2.1