CISA Exam Dumps - Certified Information Systems Auditor

This should be the first thing that an IS auditor considers when evaluating firewall rules, because it defines the objectives, standards, and guidelines for securing the organization’s network and information assets. The firewall rules should be aligned with the organization’s security policy, and reflect the level of risk and protection required for each type of network traffic, system, or data. The IS auditor should compare the firewall rules with the security policy, and identify any discrepancies, gaps, or conflicts that could compromise the security or performance of the network.

The other options are not as important as the organization’s security policy when evaluating firewall rules:

The number of remote nodes. This is a factor that may affect the complexity and scalability of the firewall rules, but it is not a primary consideration for the IS auditor. Remote nodes are devices or systems that connect to the network from outside locations, such as teleworkers, mobile users, or branch offices. The IS auditor should ensure that the firewall rules provide adequate security and access control for remote nodes, but this depends on the organization’s security policy and business needs.

The firewalls’ default settings. These are the predefined configurations that come with the firewall devices or software, and that determine how they handle network traffic by default. The IS auditor should review the firewalls’ default settings, and verify that they are appropriate and secure for the organization’s network environment. However, the firewalls’ default settings may not match the organization’s security policy or specific requirements, and may need to be customized or overridden by firewall rules.

The physical location of the firewalls. This is a factor that may affect the placement and design of the firewall rules, but it is not a critical consideration for the IS auditor. The physical location of the firewalls refers to where they are installed or deployed in relation to the network topology, such as at the network perimeter, between network segments, or on individual hosts. The IS auditor should ensure that the firewall rules are consistent and coordinated across different locations, but this depends on the organization’s security policy and network architecture.

If SoD cannot be fully implemented, an independent review of changes after deployment provides assurance that inappropriate or unauthorized code has not been introduced. Other options either weaken controls or fail to provide adequate oversight.

References (ISACA): COBIT® BAI06 (Managed IT Changes).

The evidence collected during a digital forensic investigation would not be admissible in court if the logs failed to identify the person handling the evidence. This would violate the chain of custody principle, which requires that the evidence be properly documented, secured, and tracked throughout the investigation process. The chain of custody ensures that the evidence is authentic, reliable, andtrustworthy, and that it has not been tampered with or altered. The person who collected the evidence, whether qualified or not, is not relevant to the admissibility of the evidence, as long as they followed the proper procedures and protocols. The evidence collected by the internal forensics team can be admissible in court, as long as they are independent, objective, and competent. The evidence does not need to be fully backed up using a cloud-based solution prior to the trial, as long as it is preserved and protected from damage or loss. References: ISACA Journal Article: Digital Forensics: Chain of Custody

The auditor should be most concerned about the information security policy not being approved by the policy owner. This is because the policy owner is the person who has the authority and accountability for ensuring that the policy is implemented and enforced. Without the policy owner’s approval, the policy may not reflect the organization’s objectives, risks, and compliance requirements. The policy owner is usually a senior executive or a board member who has a stake in the information security governance. The other options are less critical than the policy owner’s approval, although they may also indicate some weaknesses in the policy development and maintenance process. References:

CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 1, Section 1.21

CISA Online Review Course, Domain 5, Module 1, Lesson 12

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:

The IS auditor should remain independent and objective. The best way to provide value without interfering in management decisions is to review and comment on the criteria used for evaluating alternatives, ensuring they are complete, relevant, and aligned with business needs.

Option A: Identifying the “best” option compromises independence.

Option B: Deferring to the audit report misses the chance to add timely value.

Option D: Requesting another alternative intrudes on management’s role.

Option C: Correct — ensures appropriate evaluation criteria without biasing decisions.

📖 ISACA Reference: CISA Review Manual 27th Edition, Domain 3, section on auditor’s role in system development projects.

Hash totals are a control technique used to ensure data integrity during batch processing. A hash total is a calculated value based on the data in a batch. This value is compared to a pre-calculated hash total to confirm that all data has been processed correctly and without alteration.

References

ISACA CISA Review Manual (27th Edition): Hash totals are discussed within the context of batch processing controls.

Other Auditing Resources: Hash totals are a fundamental control technique discussed in various audit and information security publications.