CISM Exam Dumps - Certified Information Security Manager

The control owner is the individual accountable for implementing and managing specific controls that mitigate risks. While the risk owner is responsible for the overall risk and decision-making, it is the control owner who ensures the selected mitigation is effectively implemented and maintained.

“The control owner is responsible for ensuring that the control is properly designed, implemented, and operating effectively.”

— CISM Review Manual 15th Edition, Chapter 2: Risk Management, Section: Risk Treatment

ISACA practice questions stress this distinction: the control owner is tasked with the execution of mitigation strategies.

According to the CISM Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 3, Section 3.2.1, strategic alignment is the primary outcome of an information security program1. Strategic alignment means that the information security program supports and is tailored to the organization’s objectives and business strategy1. It also means that the information security program is aligned with other assurance functions, such as physical, human resources, quality, and IT1.

The CISM Review Manual (Digital Version) also states that strategic alignment is essential for achieving a competitive advantage, enhancing customer trust, reducing legal and regulatory risks, and improving organizational performance1. Strategic alignment requires effective communication and collaboration among all stakeholders, including senior management, information owners, information security managers, information security steering committees, and external partners1.

The CISM Exam Content Outline also covers the topic of strategic alignment in Domain 3 — Information Security Program Development and Management (33% exam weight)2. The subtopics include:

3.2.1 Information Security Strategy

3.2.2 Information Security Governance

3.2.3 Information Security Risk Management

3.2.4 Information Security Compliance

I hope this answer helps you prepare for your CISM exam. Good luck! 😊

The best way to achieve compliance with new global regulations related to the protection of personal information is to determine the current and desired state of controls, as this helps the information security manager to identify the gaps and requirements for compliance, and to prioritize and implement the necessary actions and measures to meet the regulatory standards. The current state of controls refers to the existing level of protection and compliance of the personal information, while the desired state of controls refers to the target level of protection and compliance that is required by the new regulations. By comparing the current and desired state of controls, the information security manager can assess the maturity and effectiveness of the information security program, and plan and execute a risk treatment plan to address the risks and issues related to the protection of personal information. Executing a risk treatment plan, reviewing contracts and statements of work (SOWs) with vendors, and implementing data regionalization controls are also important, but not as important as determining the current and desired state of controls, as they are dependent on the outcome of the gap analysis and the risk assessment, and may not be sufficient or appropriate to achieve compliance with the new regulations. References = CISM Review Manual 2023, page 491; CISM Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Manual 2023, page 352; ISACA CISM - iSecPrep, page 203

The next step for the information security manager should be to inventory and review the current security policies to understand the existing security requirements, controls, and gaps. This will help to identify the areas that need to be updated, revised, or replaced to align with the current business needs and objectives, as well as the legal and regulatory requirements. Updating the policies in accordance with the best business practices, performing a risk assessment of the current IT environment, or gaining an understanding of the current business direction are important activities, but they should be done after reviewing the current security policies.

References = CISM Review Manual, 16th Edition eBook1, Chapter 1: Information Security Governance, Section: Information Security Policies, Standards, Procedures and Guidelines, Subsection: Information Security Policies, Page 28.

The third party’s lack of compliance with local regulations poses the greatest risk to the organization, as it may expose the organization to legal, regulatory, or reputational consequences, such as fines, sanctions, lawsuits, or loss of customer trust. Payroll information is considered sensitive personal data that may be subject to different privacy and security laws depending on the jurisdiction where it is generated, processed, or stored. Therefore, the organization should ensure that the third party adheres to the applicable regulations and standards, and obtains the necessary certifications or attestations to demonstrate compliance.

References = CISM Review Manual 2022, page 361; CISM Exam Content Outline, Domain 1, Task 1.22; Ensuring Vendor Compliance and Third-Party Risk Mitigation; How to Manage Access Risk Regarding Third-Party Service Providers