Isaca Cybersecurity-Audit-Certificate ISACA Cybersecurity Audit Certificate Exam Exam Practice Test

The process that converts extracted information to a format understood by investigators is reporting. This is because reporting is a technique that involves presenting and communicating the results and findings of an investigation in a clear, concise, and accurate manner, using appropriate formats, such as tables, charts, graphs, etc. Reporting helps to convey the meaning and significance of the extracted information to the investigators, as well as other stakeholders, such as management, auditors, regulators, etc. The other options are not processes that convert extracted information to a format understood by investigators, but rather differenttechniques that are related to information extraction or analysis, such as ingestion (B), imaging C, or filtering (D).

The characteristic of cloud computing that allows users to provision computing capabilities without human interaction from the service provider is known as on-demand self-service. This feature enables users to automatically manage their computing resources, such as server time and network storage, as needed, which provides agility and flexibility in resource management.

References: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) defines on-demand self-service as one of the five essential characteristics of cloud computing. It specifies that users can unilaterally provision computing capabilities, such as server time and network storage, as needed automatically without requiring human interaction with each service provider1234.

A security operations center (SOC) is a centralized unit that monitors, detects, analyzes, and responds to cyber threats and incidents in real time. A SOC enables continuous identification and mitigation of security threats to an organization by using various tools, processes, and expertise.

The “recover” function of the NIST cybersecurity framework is concerned with planning for resilience and timely repair of compromised capacities and service. This is because the recover function helps organizations to restore normal operations as quickly as possible after a cybersecurity incident, while also learning from the incident and improving their security posture. The other options are not part of the recover function, but rather belong to the identify (B), respond C, or protect (D) functions.

 Asymmetric algorithms are commonly used to securely distribute symmetric keys. The asymmetric encryption process involves a public key for encryption and a private key for decryption. This method ensures that even if the public key is intercepted, the encrypted data cannot be decrypted without the corresponding private key. Symmetric keys are then used for the bulk encryption of data due to their efficiency in processing large volumes of information.

References = The use of asymmetric algorithms for key distribution is a well-established practice in the field of cryptography. It is mentioned in various ISACA resources that asymmetric encryption, such as RSA and ECC, is crucial for secure communications, especially for the initial exchange of symmetric keys, which are then used for encrypting data streams or bulk data123.

The BEST characteristic that describes security mechanisms for mobile devices is easy to control through mobile device management. This is because mobile device management is a technique that allows organizations to centrally manage and secure mobile devices, such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc., that are used by their employees or customers. Mobile device management helps to enforce security policies, configure settings, install applications, monitor usage, wipe data, etc., on mobile devices remotely and efficiently. The other options are not characteristics that describe security mechanisms for mobile devices, but rather different aspects or factors that affect security mechanisms for mobile devices, such as weakness (B), inadequacy C, or reliability (D).

An attack is the actual occurrence of a threat, which is a potential activity that could harm an asset. An attack is the result of a threat actor exploiting a vulnerability in a system or network to achieve a malicious objective. For example, a denial-of-service attack is the occurrence of a threat that aims to disrupt the availability of a service.

The FIRST phase of the ISACA framework for auditors reviewing cryptographic environments is inventory and discovery. This is because the inventory and discovery phase helps auditors to identify and document the scope, objectives, and approach of the audit, as well as the cryptographic assets, systems, processes, and stakeholders involved in the cryptographic environment. The inventory and discovery phase also helps auditors to assess the maturity and effectiveness of the cryptographic governance and management within the organization. The other phases are not the first phase of the ISACA framework for auditors reviewing cryptographic environments, but rather follow after the inventory and discovery phase, such as evaluation of implementation details (A), hands-on testing (B), or risk-based shakeout C.

The feature of continuous auditing that provides the BEST level of assurance over traditional sampling is that voluminous data can be analyzed at a high speed to show relevant patterns. This is because continuous auditing is a technique that uses automated tools and processes to perform audit activities on a continuous or near-real-time basis, and to analyze large amounts of data from various sources and systems. Continuous auditing helps to provide a higher level of assurance than traditional sampling, by covering the entire population of transactions or events, rather than a subset or sample, and by identifying trends, anomalies, or exceptions that may indicate risks or issues. The other options are not features of continuous auditing that provide the best level of assurance over traditional sampling, but rather different aspects or benefits of continuous auditing, such as reporting frequency (A), reliability (B), or complexity (D).

When reviewing user management roles, the group that presents the GREATEST risk based on their permissions is privileged users. This is because privileged users are users who have elevated or special access rights or permissions to systems or resources, such as administrators, superusers, root users, etc. Privileged users present the greatest risk based on their permissions, because they can perform actions or operations that can affect the security, availability, or functionality of systems or resources, such as installing or uninstalling software, modifying or deleting files, granting or revoking access rights, etc. Privileged users can also abuse or misuse their permissions for malicious or unauthorized purposes, such as stealing or leaking sensitive data, sabotaging systems or services, bypassing security controls, etc. The other options are not groups that present the greatest risk based on their permissions, but rather different types of users that may have different levels of access rights or permissions to systems or resources, such as database administrators (B), terminated employees C, or contractors (D).

When roles and responsibilities for cybersecurity are not clearly identified and formalized, it can lead to confusion and gaps in the cybersecurity posture of anorganization. Without clear accountability, certain risks may not be identified, managed, or mitigated effectively, leading to potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited.

References = The importance of defining roles and responsibilities is highlighted in various cybersecurity frameworks and best practices, including those recommended by ISACA. It is a common theme in cybersecurity governance to ensure that all individuals within an organization understand their role in maintaining cybersecurity1.

When outsourcing a key business function, the most important consideration to mitigate cybersecurity risks is to include a cybersecurity clause in the contract. This clause should clearly define the cybersecurity responsibilities, expectations, and requirements for the service provider. It ensures that the service provider adheres to specific cybersecurity standards and practices, and it provides a legal basis for enforcement and liability in the event of a cybersecurity breach.

References: The importance of including a cybersecurity clause in contracts with service providers is highlighted in ISACA’s guidance on outsourcing IT services. This guidance emphasizes the need for governance and risk assessment processes, which include ensuring that appropriate cybersecurity controls are in place through contractual agreements12.

The SLOWEST method of restoring data from backup media is an incremental backup. This is because an incremental backup is a type of backup that only copies the files that have been created or modified since the previous backup, whether it was a full or an incremental backup. An incremental backup makes the restoration process slower, as it requires restoring multiple backups in a specific order and sequence, starting from the last full backup and then applying each incremental backup until the desired point in time is reached. The other options are not methods of restoring data from backup media that are slower than an incremental backup, but rather different types of backup procedures that copy files based on different criteria, such as monthly backup (A), full backup (B), or differential backup C.

DNS data exfiltration poses a significant threat to mobile computing mainly because it is challenging to differentiate between malicious activity and legitimate DNS traffic. Attackers can exploit this by embedding data within DNS queries and responses, which often go unnoticed because DNS traffic is generally allowed through firewalls and security systems without triggering alerts. This method of data theft can be particularly effective in mobile computing, where devices frequently switch networks and rely on DNS for connectivity.

References = ISACA’s resources on cybersecurity risks associated with DNS highlight the difficulty in detecting DNS data exfiltration due to its ability to blend in with normal traffic. This is further supported by industry resources that discuss the challenges in identifying and preventing such exfiltration techniques1234.

The FIRST thing that an IS auditor should do to ensure cyber security-related legal and regulatory requirements are followed by an organization is to determine if the cybersecurity program is mapped to relevant legal and regulatory requirements. This is because mapping the cybersecurity program to relevant legal and regulatory requirements helps to ensure that the organization has identified and addressed all the applicable laws and regulations that affect its cybersecurity posture, such as data protection, privacy, breach notification, etc. Mapping the cybersecurity program to relevant legal and regulatory requirements also helps to evaluate the alignment and compliance of the organization’s cybersecurity policies, procedures, controls,and practices with the legal and regulatory requirements. The other options are not the first thing that an IS auditor should do to ensure cyber security-related legal and regulatory requirements are followed by an organization, but rather follow after determining if the cybersecurity program is mapped to relevant legal and regulatory requirements, such as reviewing the most recent legal and regulatory audit report (B), determining if there is a formal process to review changes in legal and regulatory requirements C, or obtaining a list of relevant legal and regulatory requirements (D).

Procedures are detailed, step-by-step instructions that describe exactly how to perform a particular task or process. They are designed to ensure consistency and efficiency in the execution of tasks, and they are essential in maintaining the reliability of an organization’s operations, especially in the context of cybersecurity.

References: The ISACA Cybersecurity Audit resources emphasize the importance of procedures as part of an organization’s cybersecurity framework. Procedures are the operational steps that support the implementation of policies and adherence to guidelines and baselines, ensuring that tasks are performed correctly and consistently to mitigate risks123.

Standards define the minimum acceptable rules for policy compliance. They are established by consensus and approved by a recognized body that provides forcommon and repeated use, rules, guidelines, or characteristics for activities or their results, aimed at the achievement of the optimum degree of order in a given context.

References: The information aligns with the ISACA’s definitions and usage of terms related to cybersecurity audits, where standards are often referred to as the mandatory requirements that must be followed to ensure policy compliance12.

When passwords are used in key generation, they serve as a component of the encryption process. The strength of the encryption algorithm itself is not inherently affected by the use of passwords for key generation. Instead, the security of the encryption relies on the strength and complexity of the password, the key generation process, and the encryption algorithm’s resilience to attacks. A strong, complex password can contribute to a robust encryption key, thereby maintaining the intended strength of the encryption algorithm.

References: While I cannot provide direct references from the ISACA Cybersecurity Audit Manual, it is generally understood in cybersecurity practices that the encryption algorithm’s strength is determined by its design and resistance to cryptanalysis, not solely by the elements used in key generation. The use of passwords in key generation is a common practice and, when implemented correctly, does not diminish the algorithm’s strength. For specific references, please consult the ISACA Cybersecurity Audit resources or related study guides.

The best practice to prevent misuse of administrative privileges is to have administrators use a separate non-privileged account for routine tasks that do not require administrative rights. This reduces the risk of accidental changes or security breaches that could occur if the administrator’s highly privileged account were compromised or misused during daily operations.

References = This control measure is aligned with the principle of least privilege and is commonly recommended in cybersecurity frameworks. While I cannot cite the Cybersecurity Audit Manual directly, similar guidelines are often included in cybersecurity literature and standards, including those from ISACA1. For specific references, please consult the ISACA Cybersecurity Audit resources.

Secret key encryption, also known as symmetric encryption, involves a single key for both encryption and decryption. This method provides the best protection for data on a computer that is stolen because it renders the data unreadable without the key. Even if the thief has access to the physical hardware, without the secret key, the data remains secure and inaccessible.

References: ISACA’s resources emphasize the importance of encryption in protecting information assets. Encryption is a critical control for ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of data, especially for devices that may be lost or stolen. The use of secret key encryption is a widely recommended practice for safeguarding sensitive data on mobile devices and laptops as part of an organization’s data protection strategy123.

A full backup involves copying all data to the backup storage location. It is the most comprehensive type of backup, which makes it the most time-consuming. This is because every file and folder is included in the backup, regardless of when it was last modified.

Incremental and differential backups are faster because they only copy data that has changed since the last backup. Incremental backups include data that has changed since the last incremental backup, while differential backups include data that has changed since the last full backup.

Offsite backups refer to the location where the backup is stored rather than the method of backup, so the time required can vary widely depending on the specific circumstances.

References: The information provided here is based on standard backup practices and principles, which are likely to be consistent with those found in ISACA’s Cybersecurity Audit resources. For specific references, please consult the ISACA Cybersecurity Audit Manual or related study guides12.

The feature that provides the GREATEST assurance that data can be recovered and restored in a timely manner in the event of data loss is that backups of information are regularly tested. This is because testing backups helps to ensure that they are valid, complete, and usable, and that they can be restored within the expected time frame and without errors or corruption. Testing backups also helps to identify and resolve any issues or problems with the backup process, media, or software. The other options are not features that provide the greatest assurance that data can be recovered and restored in a timely manner in the event of data loss, but rather different aspects or factors that affect the backup process, such as availability (B), execution C, or frequency (D) of backups.

The BEST basis for allocating proportional protection activities when comprehensive classification is not feasible is a business dependency assessment. This is because a business dependency assessment helps to identify the criticality and sensitivity of business processes and their supporting assets, based on their contribution to the organization’s objectives and value proposition. This allows for prioritizing protection activities according to the level of risk and impact. The other options are not as effective as a business dependency assessment, because they either use a single classification level allocation (A), which does not account for different levels of risk and impact; require a significant amount of time and resources to perform a business process re-engineering (B); or rely on external parties to cover potential losses without reducing the likelihood or impact of incidents (D).

The FIRST phase of the ISACA framework for auditors reviewing cryptographic environments is inventory and discovery. This is because the inventory and discovery phase helps auditors to identify and document the scope, objectives, and approach of the audit, as well as the cryptographic assets, systems, processes, and stakeholders involved in the cryptographic environment. The inventory and discovery phase also helps auditors to assess the maturity and effectiveness of the cryptographic governance and management within the organization. The other phases are not the first phase of the ISACA framework for auditors reviewing cryptographic environments, but rather follow after the inventory and discovery phase, such as evaluation of implementation details (A), hands-on testing (B), or risk-based shakeout C.

Specific, mandatory controls or rules to support and comply with a policy are known as standards. This is because standards define the minimum level of performance or behavior that is expected from an organization or its employees in order to achieve a policy objective or requirement. Standards also provide clear and measurable criteria for auditing and monitoring compliance with policies. The other options are not specific, mandatory controls or rules to support and comply with a policy, but rather different types of documents or tools that provide guidance or recommendations for implementing policies or controls, such as frameworks (A), guidelines (B), or baselines C.

When fraud has been detected following an incident, a forensics audit is the most relevant type of audit to conduct. A forensics audit is specifically designed to investigate and uncover evidence of fraud, misconduct, or other financial crimes. It involves the use of auditing and investigative skills to examine financial records, identify irregularities, and gather evidence that can be used in legal proceedings1.

References: The information aligns with the guidance provided by ISACA, which suggests that when fraud is suspected or detected, an audit should focus on the forensic examination of the evidence to understand the nature of the fraud and to gather proof1. Additionally, the role of internal audit in such cases is to assess the controls in place to prevent fraud and not necessarily to investigate the fraud itself unless they have the specific experience and expertise required1.

The phase that typically occurs before containment in an incident response is Identification. This phase involves detecting and determining the nature of the incident. It’s crucial to correctly identify an incident before it can be contained, as containment strategies may vary depending on the type of incident.

References: The Incident Response process is generally organized into several key phases, which include Preparation, Identification, Containment, Eradication, Recovery, and Lessons Learned1. Identification is the phase where the incident is first recognized and understood, which logically precedes the Containment phase, where measures are taken to limit the impact of the incident.

 The “Recover” function in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework is focused on developing and implementing activities to maintain plans for resilience and to restore any capabilities or services that were impaired due to a cybersecurity event. This includes efforts to support timely recovery to normal operations to reduce the impact of a cybersecurity incident.

References: The information aligns with the descriptions provided by NIST, which defines the Recover function as the need to “develop and implement the appropriate activities to maintain plans for resilience and to restore any capabilities or services that were impaired due to a cybersecurity event” 12. Additionally, the NIST CybersecurityFramework’s Five Functions learning module and the Guide for Cybersecurity Event Recovery further support this definition 34.

HTTPS, or Secure Hypertext Transfer Protocol, is an extension of HTTP that is protected by encryption via Transport Layer Security (TLS). This protocol ensures secure communication over a computer network by encrypting the data exchanged between a web server and a web browser, thereby protecting the integrity and confidentiality of the transmitted data.

References = While I cannot provide direct references from the Cybersecurity Audit Manual, the definition and workings of HTTPS are well-established in cybersecurity resources. HTTPS uses TLS (formerly SSL) to secure the data transfer, which is a fundamental concept covered in various cybersecurity literature, including ISACA’s materials123. For detailed information, please refer to the official ISACA resources and study guides.

In cloud computing, the type of hosting that is MOST appropriate for a large organization that wants greater control over the environment is private hosting. Private hosting is a type of cloud service model where the cloud infrastructure is dedicated to a single organization and hosted either on-premise or off-premise by a third-party provider. Private hosting offers more control over the security, performance, customization, and compliance of the cloud environment than other types of hosting.

The correct answer is C. SSH.

SSH stands for Secure Shell, a client-server program that opens a secure, encrypted command-line shell session from the Internet for remote logon. SSH allows users to remotely access and execute commands on a server without exposing their credentials or data to eavesdropping, tampering or replay attacks.SSH also supports secure file transfer protocols such as SFTP and SCP1.

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, a technology that creates a secure, encrypted tunnel between two or more devices over a public network such as the Internet.VPN allows users to access resources on a remote network as if they were physically connected to it, while protecting their privacy and identity2.

IPsec stands for Internet Protocol Security, a set of protocols that provides security at the network layer of the Internet. IPsec supports two modes: transport mode and tunnel mode. Transport mode encrypts only the payload of each packet, while tunnel mode encrypts the entire packet, including the header.IPsec can be used to secure VPN connections, as well as other applications that require data confidentiality, integrity and authentication3.

SFTP stands for Secure File Transfer Protocol, a protocol that uses SSH to securely transfer files between a client and a server over a network. SFTP provides encryption, authentication and compression features to ensure the security and reliability of file transfers.

1:SSH (Secure Shell)2:What is a VPN? How It Works, Types of VPN | Kaspersky3:IPsec - Wikipedia: [SFTP - Wikipedia]

The MOST important thing to verify when reviewing the effectiveness of an organization’s identity management program is whether the processes are aligned with industry best practices. Identity management is the process of managing the identities and access rights of users across an organization’s systems and resources. Industry best practices provide guidelines and standards for how to implement identity management in a secure, efficient, and compliant manner.

Hashing is a method used to ensure the integrity of digital assets. It involves applying a hash function to the digital asset’s data to produce a unique hash value. This value acts as a digital fingerprint; any alteration to the data will result in a different hash value when the hash function is reapplied. This makes it easy to detect unauthorized changes to the data, thereby protecting the integrity of the digital assets.

References: ISACA’s resources on cybersecurity audit emphasize the importance of using hashing as a control mechanism. Hashing is highlighted as a reliable method for maintaining the integrity of digital assets, as it provides a way to verify that the data has not been tampered with1.

 An incremental backup is a type of backup that only copies the files that have changed since the last backup was made. This means that after a full backup, subsequent incremental backups will only include the data that has been altered or newly created since the previous backup, making it a more efficient way to save storage space and reduce backup time.

References = While I can’t provide direct references from the Cybersecurity Audit Manual, the concept of incremental backups is a standard practice in data management and is covered in various cybersecurity and IT audit resources, including those provided by ISACA1. For a detailed understanding, you may refer to the ISACA Cybersecurity Audit Certificate resources or other ISACA study materials.

Security awareness training is MOST effective against social engineering threats. This is because social engineering is a type of attack that exploits human psychology and behavior tomanipulate or trick users into revealing sensitive or confidential information, or performing actions that compromise security. Security awareness training helps to educate users about the common types and techniques of social engineering attacks, such as phishing, vishing, baiting, etc., and how to recognize and avoid them. Security awareness training also helps to foster a culture of security within the organization and empower users to report any suspicious or malicious activities. The other options are not types of threats that security awareness training is most effective against, but rather types of attacks that exploit technical vulnerabilities or flaws in systems or applications, such as command injection (A), denial of service (B), or SQL injection (D).

 Heuristic-based anti-malware is designed to detect new, previously unknown viruses and exploits by looking for known suspicious behavior patterns or anomalies. Unlike signature-based anti-malware, which relies on a database of known malware signatures, heuristic analysis can identify new threats without prior knowledge of the specific malware, making it more effective against unknown malware.

References: The effectiveness of heuristic-based anti-malware is supported by cybersecurity resources that highlight its ability to catch and block new and emerging threats before they can cause harm, as well as its capability to reduce false positives by evaluating the behavior of a file or program1. Additionally, heuristic analysis is recognized for its proactive threat detection, offering protection against malware that has yet to be discovered2.

The GREATEST risk pertaining to sensitive data leakage when users set mobile devices to “always on” mode is that authorization tokens could be exploited. Authorization tokens are pieces of data that are used to authenticate users and grant them access to certain resources or services. Authorization tokens are often stored on mobile devices to enable seamless and convenient access without requiring users to enter their credentials repeatedly. However, if users set their mobile devices to “always on” mode, they increase the risk of losing their devices or having them stolen by attackers. Attackers can then access the authorization tokens stored on the devices and use them to impersonate the users or access their sensitive data.

The main objective of an intrusion detection system (IDS) policy is to establish the criteria for what constitutes an intrusion event and the reporting requirements once such an event is detected. This includes defining what activities are considered anomalies, ensuring that security breaches are identified, and specifying how and to whom these incidents should be reported. The policy sets the foundation for how intrusions are detected, assessed, and managed within an organization’s network infrastructure1.

References: ISACA’s resources on cybersecurity highlight the importance of having a clear IDS policy that outlines the detection and response procedures for security incidents. Such a policy is crucial for the effective monitoring and management of potential security breaches, ensuring that they are promptly identified and addressed1.

• Identify Baseline Standards: Establish a secure baseline configuration that includes only necessary services and features.
• Compare Server Configurations: Regularly compare current server configurations against the baseline to identify any deviations or unnecessary features.
• Remove Unnecessary Features: Uninstall or disable any services or features not required for the server’s role, reducing the attack surface.

References: Baseline standards serve as a guide for secure configuration and are essential for maintaining the principle of least functionality on servers12. They help in identifying and removing services that are not necessary, thereby reducing potential vulnerabilities.