CISM Exam Dumps - Certified Information Security Manager

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! 😊

This answer best indicates the effectiveness of the vendor risk management process because it shows that the organization has established and enforced clear and consistent security requirements and expectations for its vendors, and that the vendors have demonstrated their compliance and commitment to security best practices. A globally recognized security standard, such as ISO 27001, NIST CSF, or COBIT, provides a comprehensive and objective framework for assessing and improving the security posture and performance of vendors.

 Residual risk is the risk that remains after implementing controls to mitigate the inherent risk. A reduction in residual risk indicates that the information security program is effective in managing the risks to an acceptable level. This would best justify the continued investment in the program, as it demonstrates the value and benefits of the security activities. Security framework alignment, speed of implementation, and industry peer benchmarking are not direct measures of the effectiveness or value of the information security program. They may be useful for comparison or compliance purposes, but they do not necessarily reflect the impact of the program on the risk profile of the organization. References = CISM Review Manual, 16th Edition, page 431; CISM Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Manual, 10th Edition, page 622

Residual risk is the remaining risk after all security controls have been implemented. It is important to measure the residual risk of an organization in order to determine the effectiveness of the security program and to justify continued investment in the program. A reduction in residual risk is an indication that the security program is effective and that continued investment is warranted.

 A capability maturity model (CMM) is a framework that helps organizations assess and improve their processes and capabilities in various domains, such as software development, project management, information security, and others1. A CMM defines a set of levels or stages that represent the degree of maturity or effectiveness of an organization’s processes and capabilities in a specific domain. Each level has a set of criteria or characteristics that an organization must meet to achieve that level of maturity. A CMM also provides guidance and best practices on how to progress from one level to another, and how to measure and monitor the performance and improvement of the processes and capabilities2.

A CMM is most helpful in determining an organization’s current capacity to mitigate risks, because it provides a systematic and objective way to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the organization’s processes and capabilities related to risk management. A CMM can help an organization identify the gaps and opportunities for improvement in its risk management practices, and prioritize the actions and resources needed to address them. A CMM can also help an organization benchmark its risk management maturity against industry standards or best practices, and demonstrate its compliance with regulatory or contractual requirements3.

The other options are not as helpful as a CMM in determining an organization’s current capacity to mitigate risks, because they are either more specific, limited, or dependent on a CMM. A vulnerability assessment is a process of identifying and analyzing the vulnerabilities in an organization’s systems, networks, or applications, and their potential impact on the organization’s assets, operations, or reputation. A vulnerability assessment can help an organization identify the sources and levels of risk, but it does not provide a comprehensive or holistic view of the organization’s risk management maturity or effectiveness4. IT security risk and exposure is a measure of the likelihood and impact of a security breach or incident on an organization’s IT assets, operations, or reputation. IT security risk and exposure can help an organization quantify and communicate the level of risk, but it does not provide a framework or guidance on how to improve the organization’s risk management processes or capabilities5. A business impact analysis (BIA) is a process of identifying and evaluating the potential effects of a disruption or disaster on an organization’s critical business functions, processes, or resources. A BIA can help an organization determine the priorities and requirements for business continuity and disaster recovery, but it does not provide a method or standard for assessing or enhancing the organization’s risk management maturity or effectiveness. References = 1: CMMI Institute - What is CMMI? - Capability Maturity Model Integration 2: Capability Maturity Model and Risk Register Integration: The Right … 3: Performing Risk Assessments of Emerging Technologies - ISACA 4: CISM Review Manual 15th Edition, Chapter 4, Section 4.2 5: CISM Review Manual 15th Edition, Chapter 4, Section 4.3 : CISM Review Manual 15th Edition, Chapter 4, Section 4.4

SIEM systems collect and analyze log data from across the organization, allowing for real-time monitoring, incident correlation, and end-to-end tracking of response activities — including severity classification and closure.

“SIEM tools enable centralized management, prioritization, and documentation of incidents, making them essential for impact tracking and incident lifecycle management.”

— CISM Review Manual 15th Edition, Chapter 4: Incident Management Systems*

While EDR and XDR help detect threats, SIEMs offer the full scope for impact-based tracking.

The explanation given in the manual is:

Incident classification criteria enable an organization to prioritize incidents based on their impact and urgency. This allows for an optimized allocation of recovery resources to minimize business disruption and ensure timely restoration of normal operations. The other choices are benefits of incident management but not directly related to incident classification criteria.