Isaca Updated CISA Exam Questions and Answers by sulaiman

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 candetermine 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.

References:

9: Best License Management Software 2023 | Capterra

10: Best 10 Software License Management Tools in 2023 | Zluri

11: Top 10 Software License Tracking Tools | Zluri

12: Top 5 Software License Tracking Solutions in 2023 - DNSstuff

 A feasibility study is an assessment that determines the likelihood of a proposed project being successful, such as a new system development1. A feasibility study typically covers various aspects of the project, such as technical, economic, operational and legal feasibility2. The IS auditor’s role is to audit the feasibility study and ensure that it is objective, realistic and reliable3.

One of the most important aspects of a feasibility study is the economic feasibility, which analyzes the costs and benefits of the proposed system and compares them with alternative solutions2. Theeconomic feasibility study should include a detailed breakdown of the development, implementation and operational costs, as well as the expected revenues, savings and intangible benefits of the system3. The IS auditor should review the cost-benefit documentation for reasonableness and accuracy, and verify that the assumptions and calculations are valid and supported by evidence3.

The other options are not directly related to auditing the feasibility study of a system development project. Reviewing qualifications of key members of the project team (option A) is more relevant to auditing the project management and human resources aspects of the project. Reviewing the request for proposal (RFP) to ensure that it covers the scope of work (option B) is more relevant to auditing the procurement and vendor selection process of the project. Ensuring that vendor contracts are reviewed by legal counsel (option D) is more relevant to auditing the legal and contractual aspects of the project.

References: 3: Types of Feasibility Study in Software Project Development 2: Feasibility Analysis in System Development Process 1: What Is a Feasibility Study? Definition, Benefits and Types

 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.

References:

[Feasibility Study - ISACA]

[IS Auditing Guideline G13 Performing an IS Audit Engagement - ISACA]

 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