Isaca Updated CISM Exam Questions and Answers by nyra

Security metrics are the best way to determine the maturity of an information security program because they are quantifiable indicators of the performance and effectiveness of the security controls and processes. Security metrics help to evaluate the current state of security, identify gaps and weaknesses, measure progress and improvement, and communicate the value and impact of security to stakeholders. Therefore, security metrics are the correct answer.

The primary purpose of identifying vulnerabilities is to remediate them before they can be exploited by malicious actors. While risk reporting and prioritization are part of the overall process, the most immediate goal is remediation.

“Vulnerability assessments identify weaknesses that need to be addressed to reduce risk to acceptable levels and prevent potential exploits.”

— CISM Review Manual 15th Edition, Chapter 2: Risk Management, Section: Risk Assessment and Analysis

This aligns with ISACA’s official practice questions, where vulnerability identification directly aims to prevent exploitation.

 A business impact analysis (BIA) is the process of identifying and evaluating the potential effects of disruptions to critical business functions or processes. A BIA helps to determine the recovery priorities, objectives, and strategies for the organization in the event of a disaster or crisis. A BIA also helps to identify the worst-case disruption scenarios, which are the scenarios that would cause the most severe impact to the organization in terms of financial, operational, reputational, or legal consequences. By conducting a BIA, the organization can assess the likelihood and impact of various disruption scenarios, and plan accordingly to mitigate the risks and ensure business continuity and resilience. References = CISM Review Manual 15th Edition, page 181, page 183.

After an intrusion has been detected and contained, the system should be recovered to a known and trusted state. The best practice for ensuring the integrity of the recovered system is to install the OS, patches, and application from the original source, such as the vendor’s website or media. This way, any malicious code or backdoors that may have been inserted by the intruder can be eliminated. Restoring the OS, patches, and application from a backup may not guarantee the integrity of the system, as the backup may have been compromised or outdated. Restoring the application and data from a forensic copy may preserve the evidence of the intrusion, but it may also reintroduce the vulnerability or malware that allowed the intrusion in the first place. Removing all signs of the intrusion from the OS and application may not be sufficient or feasible, as the intruder may have made subtle or hidden changes that are difficult to detect or undo.

References =

ISACA, CISM Review Manual, 16th Edition, 2020, page 2401

ISACA, CISM Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Database - 12 Month Subscription, 2020, question ID 2132

The BEST practice for ensuring the integrity of the recovered system after an intrusion is to restore the OS, patches, and application from a backup. This will ensure that the system is in a known good state, without any potential residual malicious code or changes from the intrusion. Restoring from a backup also enables the organization to revert to a previous configuration that has been tested and known to be secure. This step should be taken prior to conducting a thorough investigation and forensic analysis to determine the cause and extent of the intrusion.