CISM Exam Dumps - Certified Information Security Manager

The most effective way to mitigate information security risk when outsourcing network management to a service provider is to include a requirement for the service provider to comply with the corporate security policy in the contract. This requirement ensures that the service provider follows the same security standards, procedures, and controls as the organization, and protects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the organization’s data and systems. The requirement also defines the roles and responsibilities, the reporting and escalation mechanisms, and the penalties for non-compliance.

References = A Risk-Based Management Approach to Third-Party Data Security, Risk and Compliance, CISM Domain 2: Information Risk Management (IRM) [2022 update]

The first step when a new vulnerability is identified is to re-evaluate the risk associated with the vulnerability. This may require an update to the risk assessment and the implementation of additional controls. Informing senior management of the vulnerability is important, but should not be the first step. Implementing compensating controls may also be necessary, but again, should not be the first step. Asking the business owner for a remediation plan may be useful, but only after the risk has been re-evaluated.

The information security manager should first re-evaluate the risk posed by the new vulnerability to determine its impact and likelihood. Based on this assessment, appropriate actions can be taken such as informing senior management, implementing compensating controls, or requesting a remediation plan from the business owner. The other choices are possible actions but not necessarily the first one.

A vulnerability is a weakness that can be exploited by an attacker to compromise a system or network2. A vulnerability can affect key data processing systems within an organization if it exposes sensitive information, disrupts business operations, or damages assets2. A vulnerability assessment is a process of identifying and evaluating vulnerabilities and their potential consequences2

 A service provider is a third-party supplier that provides IT services or products to an organization. A service provider should comply with the organization’s information security requirements, such as policies, standards, procedures, and controls, to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the organization’s data and systems. The best way to provide an information security manager with sufficient assurance that a service provider complies with the organization’s information security requirements is to have the ability to audit the third-party supplier’s IT systems and processes. An audit is a systematic and independent examination of evidence to determine the degree of conformity to predetermined criteria. An audit can verify the effectiveness and efficiency of the service provider’s security controls, identify any gaps or weaknesses, and provide recommendations for improvement. An audit can also ensure that the service provider adheres to the contractual obligations and service level agreements (SLAs) with the organization. Therefore, option B is the most appropriate answer.

Option A is not the best answer because a live demonstration of the third-party supplier’s security capabilities may not be comprehensive, objective, or reliable. A live demonstration may only show the positive aspects of the service provider’s security, but not reveal any hidden or potential issues. A live demonstration may also be subject to manipulation or deception by the service provider.

Option C is not the best answer because third-party security control self-assessment (CSA) results may not be accurate, complete, or consistent. A self-assessment is a process where the service provider evaluates its own security controls against a set of criteria or standards. A self-assessment may be biased, subjective, or incomplete, as the service provider may not disclose or report all the relevant information or issues. A self-assessment may also vary in quality and scope depending on the service provider’s expertise, resources, and methodology.

Option D is not the best answer because an independent review report indicating compliance with industry standards may not be sufficient or specific for the organization’s information security requirements. An independent review is a process where an external party evaluates the service provider’s security controls against a set of industry standards or best practices, such as ISO/IEC 27001, NIST CSF, PCI DSS, etc. An independent review report may provide a general overview of the service provider’s security posture, but not address the organization’s unique or specific security needs, risks, or expectations. An independent review report may also be outdated, limited, or generic, as the industry standards or best practices may not reflect the current or emerging security threats or trends. References = CISM Review Manual 15th Edition1, pages 257-258; CISM Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Database - 12 Month Subscription, QID 301.

An independent review report indicating compliance with industry standards BEST provides an information security manager with sufficient assurance that a service provider complies with the organization’s information security requirements. This is because an independent review report is an objective and reliable source of evidence that the service provider has implemented and maintained effective security controls that meet the industry standards and best practices. An independent review report can also provide assurance that the service provider has addressed any gaps or weaknesses identified in previous audits or assessments.

A security baseline is a set of minimum security requirements for a system or asset type. The CISM Review Manual states that a baseline should be uniform for all assets of the same type to ensure consistency, enforceability, and ease of monitoring. This standardization supports effective compliance and security operations. While other factors can influence baseline adjustments, uniformity for similar asset types is most critical.

The process manager is the person who is responsible for overseeing and managing the business processes and functions that are essential for the organization’s operations and objectives. The process manager has the most direct and detailed knowledge of the inputs, outputs, dependencies, resources, and performance indicators of the business processes and functions. Therefore, the process manager is in the best position to evaluate the business impacts of a disruption or an incident that affects the availability, integrity, or confidentiality of the information assets and systems that support the business processes and functions. The process manager can identify and quantify the potential losses, damages, or consequences that could result from the disruption or incident, such as revenue loss, customer dissatisfaction, regulatory non-compliance, reputational harm, or legal liability. The process manager can also provide input and feedback to the information security manager and the senior management on the business continuity and disaster recovery plans, the risk assessment and treatment, and the security controls and measures that are needed to protect and recover the business processes and functions. References = CISM Review Manual 15th Edition, page 2301; CISM Practice Quiz, question 1302

Documenting information security responsibilities within job descriptions is the most effective way to convey information security responsibilities across an organization because it clearly defines the roles, expectations, and accountabilities of each employee regarding information security. It also helps to align the information security objectives with the business goals and performance indicators, and to ensure compliance with the security policies and standards.

References = CISM Review Manual 15th Edition, What is CISM? - Digital Guardian

The best course of action when the organization receives complaints from users that some of their files have been encrypted and they are receiving demands for money to decrypt the files is to initiate incident response. This is because the organization is facing a ransomware attack, which is a type of malicious software that encrypts the victim’s data and demands a ransom for the decryption key. Ransomware attacks can cause significant disruption, damage, and loss to the organization’s operations, assets, and reputation. Therefore, the organization needs to quickly activate its incident response plan and team, which are designed to handle such security incidents in a coordinated, effective, and efficient manner. The incident response process involves the following steps1:

Preparation: The incident response team prepares the necessary resources, tools, and procedures to respond to the incident. The team also establishes the roles, responsibilities, and communication channels among the team members and other stakeholders.

Identification: The incident response team identifies the scope, source, and severity of the incident. The team also collects and preserves the relevant evidence and logs for further analysis and investigation.

Containment: The incident response team isolates the affected systems and networks to prevent the spread of the ransomware and limit the impact of the incident. The team also implements temporary or alternative solutions to restore the essential functions and services.

Eradication: The incident response team removes the ransomware and any traces of its infection from the affected systems and networks. The team also verifies that the systems and networks are clean and secure before restoring them to normal operations.

Recovery: The incident response team restores the affected systems and networks to normal operations. The team also decrypts or restores the encrypted data from backups or other sources, if possible. The team also monitors the systems and networks for any signs of recurrence or residual issues.

Lessons learned: The incident response team conducts a post-incident review to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the incident response process and team. The team also identifies the root causes, lessons learned, and best practices from the incident. The team also recommends and implements the necessary improvements and corrective actions to prevent or mitigate similar incidents in the future.

References = CISM Review Manual, 16th Edition, Chapter 4: Information Security Incident Management, Section: Incident Response Process, pages 229-2331; CISM Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Manual, 10th Edition, Question 45, page 432.