Cybersecurity-Audit-Certificate Exam Dumps - ISACA Cybersecurity Audit Certificate Exam

An objective of public key infrastructure (PKI) is to independently authenticate the validity of the sender’s public key. PKI is a system that uses cryptographic keys to secure communications and transactions. PKI involves a trusted third party called a certificate authority (CA) that issues digital certificates that link a public key with an identity. The recipient can use the CA’s public key to verify the sender’s certificate and public key.

 In key protection/management, access should be aligned with the principle of least privilege. This means that users should only have the minimum level of access required to perform their tasks and no more. This reduces the risk of unauthorized access, misuse, or compromise of sensitive data or systems.

Operating system rules can be configured to enforce password complexity requirements. These rules can specify the minimum length, complexity, and expiration of passwords. By setting these parameters, the operating system ensures that users create passwords that are difficult to guess or crack, thus enhancing security.

Multi-factor authentication (B) adds an additional layer of security but does not directly ensure the creation of complex passwords. Information security awareness © is crucial for educating users about the importance of complex passwords but does not enforce their creation. Biometrics (D) is an alternative form of authentication that may replace or supplement passwords but does not govern their complexity.

References: The information provided here is based on standard cybersecurity 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 incident management team is typically activated during the Identification phase of the incident response process. This phase involves detecting and determining the nature of the incident, which is crucial before any containment, eradication, or recovery efforts can begin. The team’s activation at this early stage ensures that the incident is properly identified and assessed, allowing for a more effective response.

References = The ISACA resources outline the incident response process and emphasize the importance of the Identification phase as the starting point for the incident management team’s activities. This is supported by the incident response models and guidance provided by ISACA, which detail the steps and phases involved in responding to security incidents12.

In the context of network communications, the two types of attack vectors are ingress and egress. Ingress refers to the unauthorized entry or access to a network, which can include various forms of cyberattacks aimed at penetrating network defenses. Egress,on the other hand, involves the unauthorized transmission of data out of a network, often as part of data exfiltration efforts by attackers1.

References: The ISACA Cybersecurity Fundamentals Glossary defines attack vectors in network communications as ingress and egress, which align with the options provided in the question1.

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.

A firewall is a network security device that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. It establishes a barrier between a secure internal network and an untrusted external network, such as the internet. This system is designed to prevent unauthorized access to or from private networks and is a fundamental piece of a comprehensive security framework for any organization.

References: The concept of a firewall as a system that enforces a boundary between networks is well-established in cybersecurity literature. It is recognized as a critical component for protecting network resources by filtering traffic and blocking unauthorized access while allowing legitimate communication to pass123.

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 security setting that locks a profile after a certain number of unsuccessful login attempts is designed to mitigate brute force attacks. In such attacks, an adversary systematically tries numerous combinations of usernames and passwords to gain unauthorized access. By locking the account after several failed attempts, it prevents the attacker from continuing to try different password combinations, thus thwarting the brute force method.

References = This security measure is a common recommendation in cybersecurity practices, including those suggested by ISACA, to protect against brute force attacks. It is an effective control to prevent attackers from continuously attempting to guess a user’s credentials123.

Tracing the access and origin of an intrusion is crucial for performing a root cause analysis. This process involves identifying the underlying factors that led to the security breach. By understanding how the intrusion happened, organizations can better address the specific vulnerabilities that were exploited and implement more effective security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

References: ISACA’s resources on cybersecurity audit emphasize the importance of root cause analysis in the event of an intrusion. It is a key step in the cybersecurity audit process to understand the weaknesses that led to the incident and to improve the overall security posture of the organization1.

Within the NIST core cybersecurity framework, the identify function is associated with using organizational understanding to minimize risk to systems, assets, and data. This is because the identify function helps organizations to develop an organizational understanding of their cybersecurity risk management posture, as well as the threats, vulnerabilities, and impacts that could affect their business objectives. The other functions are not directly related to using organizational understanding, but rather focus on detecting (A), recovering C, or responding (D) to cybersecurity events.

The MOST important consideration when choosing between different types of cloud services is the overall risk and benefits. This is because choosing between different types of cloud services involves weighing the trade-offs between the risk and benefits of each type of cloud service, such as Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), or Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). For example, SaaS may offer more benefits in terms of cost savings, scalability, and usability, but also more risks in terms of security, privacy, and compliance. On the other hand, IaaS may offer more benefits in terms of flexibility, customization, and control, but also more risks in terms of complexity, management, and maintenance. The other options are not the most important consideration when choosing between different types of cloud services, but rather different aspects or factors that affect the choice of cloud services, such as emerging risk and infrastructure scalability (A), security features available on demand (B), or reputation of the cloud providers (D).

The MOST important thing for an IS auditor to consider in an assessment of the potential risk factors when a cloud service provider has not adequately secured its application programming interface (API) is the impact on the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the cloud service. An API is a set of rules and protocols that allows communication and interaction between different software components or systems. An API is often used by cloud service providers to enable customers to access and manage their cloud resources and services. However, if an API is not adequately secured, it can expose the cloud service provider and its customers to various threats,such as unauthorized access, data breaches, tampering, denial-of-service attacks, or malicious code injection.

The MAIN consideration when storing backup files is protecting the off-site data backup copies from unauthorized access. This is because protecting the off-site data backup copies from unauthorized access helps to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the backup data, and prevent any unauthorized or malicious disclosure, modification, or deletion of the backup data. Protecting the off-site data backup copies from unauthorized access also helps to comply with any regulatory or contractual requirements that may apply to the backup data. The other options are not the main consideration when storing backup files, but rather different aspects or factors that affect the backup process, such as using solid state device (SSD) media (A), storing backup files on public cloud storage (B), or storing copies on-site (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.

 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.

In public key cryptography, digital signatures are primarily used to prove sender authenticity. A digital signature is a cryptographic technique that allows the sender of a message to sign it with their private key, which can only be decrypted by their public key. The recipient can verify that the message was sent by the sender and not tampered with by using the sender’s public key.

The protection of information from unauthorized access or disclosure is known as confidentiality. This is because confidentiality is one of the three main objectives of information security, along with integrity and availability. Confidentiality ensures that information is accessible and readable only by those who are authorized and intended to do so, and prevents unauthorized or accidental exposure of information to unauthorized parties. The other options are not the protection of information from unauthorized access or disclosure, but rather different concepts or techniques that are related to information security, such as access control (A), cryptography (B), or media protection C.

The risk of an evil twin attack on mobile devices is PRIMARILY due to the use of generic names that mobile devices will accept without verification. An evil twin attack is a type of wireless network attack where an attacker sets up a rogue access point that mimics a legitimate one. The attacker can then lure unsuspecting users to connect to the rogue access point and intercept their data or launch further attacks. Mobile devices are vulnerable to evil twin attacks because they often use generic names for their wireless networks, such as “Free WiFi” or “Public Hotspot”. These names can be easily spoofed by an attacker and accepted by mobile devices without verifying the identity or security of the access point.

Trend/variance-detection tools are tools that look for anomalies in user behavior. These tools use statistical methods to establish a baseline of normal user activity and then compare it with current or historical data to identify deviations or outliers. These tools can help to detect unauthorized access, fraud, insider threats, or other malicious activities.

Broad network access refers to the computing capabilities that are available over a network and can be accessed by diverse client platforms, such as personal computers, mobile phones, and tablets. This characteristic is one of the essential features of cloud computing, which allows users to access services using a variety of devices through standard mechanisms.

References: The concept of broad network access is integral to the understanding of cloud services and is often discussed in cybersecurity resources, including those provided by ISACA, which emphasize the importance of securing access to these services across different platforms1

The MOST important factor to ensure the successful implementation of continuous auditing is top management support. This is because top management support helps to provide the vision, direction, and resources for implementing continuous auditing within the organization. Top management support also helps to overcome any resistance or challenges that may arise from implementing continuous auditing, such as cultural change, stakeholder buy-in, process reengineering, etc. Top management support also helps to ensure that the results and findings of continuous auditing are communicated and acted upon by the relevant decision-makers and stakeholders. The other options are not factors that are more important than top management support for ensuring the successful implementation of continuous auditing, but rather different aspects or benefits of continuous auditing, such as storage hardware (A), technical resources (B), or processing capacity (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.

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.

Using a data loss prevention (DLP) solution to monitor data saved to a USB memory device is an example of managing data at rest. Data at rest is data that is stored on a device or media, such as hard disks, flash drives, tapes, or CDs. Data at rest can be exposed to unauthorized access, theft, orloss if not properly protected. A DLP solution is a tool that monitors and controls the movement and usage of data across an organization’s network or endpoints. A DLP solution can prevent users from saving sensitive data to removable devices or alert on any violations of data policies.

Risk assessment is a fundamental part of the cybersecurity framework and is used to identify, estimate, and prioritize risks to organizational operations, assets, individuals, other organizations, and the Nation, resulting from the operation and use of information systems. A risk assessment helps in understanding the potential impact of different security threats and the effectiveness of the controls in place, thereby guiding the selection of appropriate controls to reduce risk to an acceptable level.

References: The ISACA Cybersecurity Audit resources emphasize the importance of risk assessment in determining the most suitable controls for an organization’s specific security needs. This aligns with the guidance provided by ISACA, which suggests that risk assessments are crucial for identifying the right controls to mitigate cybersecurity risks123.

Elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) is a more efficient form of public key cryptography as it demands less computational power and offers more security per bit. ECC is based on the mathematical properties of elliptic curves, which are curves that have a special shape that makes them suitable for cryptography. ECC can achieve the same level of security as other public key algorithms with much smaller key sizes, which reduces storage and bandwidth requirements.

An example of an application security control is secure coding. Secure coding is the practice of developing software applications that follow security principles and standards to prevent or mitigate common vulnerabilities and risks. Secure coding involves applying techniques such as input validation, output encoding, error handling, encryption, and testing.

The EASIEST thing for a malicious attacker to detect is the susceptibility to reverse engineering. Reverse engineering is the process of analyzing the code or functionality of an application to understand its structure, logic, or design. Reverse engineering can be used by attackers to discover vulnerabilities, bypass security mechanisms, or modify the application’s behavior. Mobile applications are often susceptible to reverse engineering because they are distributed in binary form and can be easily decompiled or disassembled.

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 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 intrusion detection system component that is responsible for collecting data in the form of network packets, log files, or system call traces is sensors. This is because sensors are components of an intrusion detection system that are deployed on various locations or points of the network or system, such as routers, switches, servers, etc., and that capture and collect data from the network traffic or system activities. Sensors then forward the collected data to another component of the intrusion detection system, such as analyzers, for further processing and analysis. The other options are not components of an intrusion detection system that are responsible for collecting data in the form of network packets, log files, or system call traces, but rather different components or techniques that are related to intrusion detection or prevention, such as packet filters (A), analyzers (B), or administration modules C.

 A web application firewall (WAF) is specifically designed to monitor, filter, and block HTTP traffic to and from a web application. It is different from other types of firewalls because it can filter the content of specific web applications. By inspecting HTTP traffic, a WAF can prevent attacks stemming from web application security flaws, such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS), file inclusion, and security misconfigurations.

References: The use of WAFs to block XSS and SQL injection attacks is well-documented in cybersecurity literature. They are recognized for their ability to perform a detailed inspection of HTTP traffic, applying rules to an HTTP conversation to cover a wide range of security issues, including XSS and SQL injection, which are not typically covered by other firewall types12.

 The responsibility of an organization to protect its assets, including IT infrastructure and information, falls under the broader umbrella of governance, risk management, and compliance (GRC). Governance ensures that organizational activities, like managing IT operations, are aligned with the business’s goals, risk management involves identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks, and compliance ensures that the organization adheres to laws, regulations, and policies.

References = While I can’t provide direct references from the Cybersecurity Audit Manual, the concept of GRC is widely recognized in cybersecurity frameworks and best practices, such as those outlined by ISACA and other industry standards.

The primary purpose of a Security Operations Center (SOC) team is to continuously monitor and improve an organization’s security posture. They are responsible for the detection, analysis, and response to cybersecurity incidents, using a combination of technology solutions and a strong set of processes.

References = ISACA’s resources highlight the role of SOC teams in enhancing the security measures of an organization. They are integral to the proactive defense against cyber threats and play a key role in the strategic planning of security measures123.

The device that is at GREATEST risk from activity monitoring and data retrieval is mobile devices. This is because mobile devices are devices that are portable, wireless, and connected to the Internet or other networks, such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc. Mobile devices are at greatest risk from activity monitoring and data retrieval, because they can be easily lost, stolen, or compromised by attackers who can access or extract the data stored or transmitted on the devices. Mobile devices can also be subject to activity monitoring and data retrieval by third-party applications or services that may collect or share the user’s personal or sensitive information without their consent or knowledge. The other options are not devices that are at greatest risk from activity monitoring and data retrieval, but rather different types of devices that may have different levels of risk or protection from activity monitoring and data retrieval, such as cloud storage devices (B), desktop workstations C, or printing devices (D).