Cybersecurity-Audit-Certificate ISACA Cybersecurity Audit Certificate Exam Questions and Answers

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 computer-software vulnerability that is unknown to those who would be interested in mitigating the vulnerability is a zero-day vulnerability. This is because a zero-day vulnerability is a type of vulnerability that has not been reported or disclosed to the public or to the software vendor yet, and may be exploited by attackers before it is patched or fixed. A zero-day vulnerability poses a high risk to systems and applications that are affected by it, as there may be no known defense or solution against it. The other options are not computer-software vulnerabilities that are unknown to those who would be interested in mitigating the vulnerability, but rather types of vulnerabilities that are known and reported to the public or to the software vendor, such as cross-site scripting vulnerability (A), SQL injection vulnerability (B), or memory leakage vulnerability C.

 Security frameworks are crucial in a cybersecurity strategy because they provide a structured approach to managing and mitigating risks. They help in integrating various cybersecurity activities and guiding them towards achieving the strategic objectives of the organization. By establishing a common language and systematic methodology, they ensure that all parts of the organization’s cybersecurity program are aligned and working cohesively.

References: The importance of security frameworks is highlighted in ISACA’s resources, which discuss how these frameworks support the organization’s missions and enhance the cybersecurity strategy by providing a clear structure for managing cybersecurity risks1.

The CSA Cloud Controls Matrix (CCM) is a cybersecurity control framework specifically designed for cloud computing. It consists of a comprehensive set of control objectives that are structured across different domains covering all key aspects of cloud technology. One of the greatest benefits of using the CCM is its ability to map these controls to multiple industry-accepted security standards, regulations, and control frameworks. This mapping facilitates a streamlined approach to compliance and security assurance across various standards, making it an invaluable tool for organizations operating in the cloud.

References: The CCM’s advantage of providing a mapping to multiple control frameworks is highlighted by its alignment with other security standards and its role as a de-facto standard for cloud security assurance and compliance12. This multi-framework mapping capability enables organizations to document controls for multiple standards and regulations in one place, thereby simplifying the compliance process and ensuring a comprehensive security posture2.

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 use of symmetric, private keys in WEP encryption is associated with several weaknesses, one of which is that the keys often remain unchanged on networks for extended periods. This can lead to security vulnerabilities because if an attacker manages to compromise a key, they can potentially gain access to the network and decrypt data for as long as the key remains unchanged.

References: The weakness of symmetric key encryption, particularly in the context of WEP, is that the key must be securely shared and, if compromised, can lead to significant security risks since the same key is used to encrypt and decrypt data123. This is exacerbated in WEP due to its flawed implementation of key management and lack of proper key rotation mechanisms.

The cloud characteristic that refers to resource utilization that can be optimized by leveraging charge-per-use capabilities is measured service. This is because measured service is a characteristic of cloud computing that involves monitoring, controlling, and reporting on the usage and consumption of cloud resources by cloud providers and consumers. Measured service helps to optimize resource utilization by leveraging charge-per-use capabilities, which means that cloud consumers only pay for the amount of resources that they actually use or consume, rather than paying for fixed or predetermined amounts of resources. The other options are not cloud characteristics that refer to resource utilization that can be optimized by leveraging charge-per-use capabilities, but rather different characteristics of cloud computing that describe other aspects or benefits of cloud services, such as on demand self-service (A), elasticity (B), or resource pooling (D).

The correct answer is C. SSH.

SSH stands for Secure Shell, a client-server program that opens a secure, encrypted command-line shell session from the Internet for remote logon. SSH allows users to remotely access and execute commands on a server without exposing their credentials or data to eavesdropping, tampering or replay attacks.SSH also supports secure file transfer protocols such as SFTP and SCP1.

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, a technology that creates a secure, encrypted tunnel between two or more devices over a public network such as the Internet.VPN allows users to access resources on a remote network as if they were physically connected to it, while protecting their privacy and identity2.

IPsec stands for Internet Protocol Security, a set of protocols that provides security at the network layer of the Internet. IPsec supports two modes: transport mode and tunnel mode. Transport mode encrypts only the payload of each packet, while tunnel mode encrypts the entire packet, including the header.IPsec can be used to secure VPN connections, as well as other applications that require data confidentiality, integrity and authentication3.

SFTP stands for Secure File Transfer Protocol, a protocol that uses SSH to securely transfer files between a client and a server over a network. SFTP provides encryption, authentication and compression features to ensure the security and reliability of file transfers.

1:SSH (Secure Shell)2:What is a VPN? How It Works, Types of VPN | Kaspersky3:IPsec - Wikipedia: [SFTP - Wikipedia]

The FIRST thing that an IS auditor should do to ensure cyber security-related legal and regulatory requirements are followed by an organization is to determine if the cybersecurity program is mapped to relevant legal and regulatory requirements. This is because mapping the cybersecurity program to relevant legal and regulatory requirements helps to ensure that the organization has identified and addressed all the applicable laws and regulations that affect its cybersecurity posture, such as data protection, privacy, breach notification, etc. Mapping the cybersecurity program to relevant legal and regulatory requirements also helps to evaluate the alignment and compliance of the organization’s cybersecurity policies, procedures, controls,and practices with the legal and regulatory requirements. The other options are not the first thing that an IS auditor should do to ensure cyber security-related legal and regulatory requirements are followed by an organization, but rather follow after determining if the cybersecurity program is mapped to relevant legal and regulatory requirements, such as reviewing the most recent legal and regulatory audit report (B), determining if there is a formal process to review changes in legal and regulatory requirements C, or obtaining a list of relevant legal and regulatory requirements (D).

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.

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.

 The presence of known dangerous artifacts like malicious IP addresses or domain names on a network typically indicates that a security breach has occurred or is in progress. These artifacts are often recognized as indicators of compromise (IoCs), which are pieces of forensic data, such as system log entries or files, that identify potentially malicious activity on a system or network. Identifying IoCs is crucial for cybersecurity as it allows organizations to detect breaches quickly and respond to them promptly.

References: The concept of indicators of compromise is a fundamental aspect of cybersecurity audits, as it relates to the identification and analysis of evidence that points to a security incident. This is covered in various ISACA resources, including the Cybersecurity Audit Certificate Study Guide, which provides guidance on understanding risk and implementing controls to protect against cyber threats1.

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).

The MOST serious consequence of mobile device loss or theft is the compromise of transient data. Transient data is data that is temporarily stored or processed on a mobile device, such as cached data, cookies, browsing history, passwords, or session tokens. Transient data can reveal sensitive information about the user or the organization and can be exploited by attackers to gain access to other systems or networks.

The feature of continuous auditing that provides the BEST level of assurance over traditional sampling is that voluminous data can be analyzed at a high speed to show relevant patterns. This is because continuous auditing is a technique that uses automated tools and processes to perform audit activities on a continuous or near-real-time basis, and to analyze large amounts of data from various sources and systems. Continuous auditing helps to provide a higher level of assurance than traditional sampling, by covering the entire population of transactions or events, rather than a subset or sample, and by identifying trends, anomalies, or exceptions that may indicate risks or issues. The other options are not features of continuous auditing that provide the best level of assurance over traditional sampling, but rather different aspects or benefits of continuous auditing, such as reporting frequency (A), reliability (B), or complexity (D).

Cross-site scripting (XSS) is a security vulnerability typically found in web applications. XSS enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into otherwise benign and trusted websites. When other users load the infected pages, the malicious scripts execute, which can lead to unauthorized access, data theft, and a variety of other malicious outcomes.

References = While I can’t provide direct references from the Cybersecurity Audit Manual, the concept of XSS and its implications are well-documented in cybersecurity literature, including resources provided by ISACA1. For a detailed understanding, you may refer to the ISACA Cybersecurity Audit Certificate resources or other ISACA study materials.

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.

A MAIN benefit of using Security as a Service (SECaaS) providers is that significant investments and specialized security skills are not required. SECaaS is a type of cloud service model that provides security solutions and services to customers over the internet. SECaaS providers can offer various security functions such as antivirus, firewall, encryption, identity management, vulnerability scanning, and incident response. By using SECaaS providers, customers can save costs and resources on acquiring, maintaining, and updating security hardware and software. Customers can also leverage the expertise and experience of the SECaaS providers to address their security needs and challenges.

 A feature of an intrusion detection system (IDS) is automated response. This is because an IDS is a system that monitors network or system activities for malicious or anomalous behavior, and alerts or reports on any detected incidents. An IDS can also perform automated response actions, such as blocking traffic, terminating sessions, or sending notifications, to contain or mitigate the incidents. The other options are not features of an IDS, but rather different concepts or techniques that are related to intrusion detection or prevention, such as intrusion prevention (A), interface with firewalls C, or back doors into applications (D).

Using digital evidence to provide validation that an attack has actually occurred is an example of computer forensics. This is because computer forensics is a discipline that involves the identification, preservation, analysis, and presentation of digital evidence from various sources, such as computers, networks, mobile devices, etc., to support investigations of cyber incidents or crimes. Computer forensics helps to provide validation that an attack has actually occurred, by examining the digital traces or artifacts left by the attackers on the compromised systems or devices, and by reconstructing the sequence and timeline of events that led to the attack. The other options are not examples of using digital evidence to provide validation that an attack has actually occurred, but rather different techniques or processes that are related to computer forensics, such as extraction (B), identification C, or data acquisition (D).

 An incremental backup is a type of backup that only copies the files that have changed since the last backup was made. This means that after a full backup, subsequent incremental backups will only include the data that has been altered or newly created since the previous backup, making it a more efficient way to save storage space and reduce backup time.

References = While I can’t provide direct references from the Cybersecurity Audit Manual, the concept of incremental backups is a standard practice in data management and is covered in various cybersecurity and IT audit resources, including those provided by ISACA1. For a detailed understanding, you may refer to the ISACA Cybersecurity Audit Certificate resources or other ISACA study materials.

An attack is the actual occurrence of a threat, which is a potential activity that could harm an asset. An attack is the result of a threat actor exploiting a vulnerability in a system or network to achieve a malicious objective. For example, a denial-of-service attack is the occurrence of a threat that aims to disrupt the availability of a service.

 Imaging is the process used by an IS auditor to create a bit-for-bit copy of data. This method ensures that an exact replica of the data is made, preserving all the information in the same structure and format as the original. Imaging is essential for tasks such as digital forensics, where maintaining the integrity of the data is critical.

References: The Cybersecurity Audit resources by ISACA cover the importance of accurate data replication in the context of an audit. Imaging is a standard practice in cybersecurity audits for preserving the state of data at a specific point in time, which is crucial for any subsequent analysis or investigation1.

The phase that typically occurs before containment in an incident response is Identification. This phase involves detecting and determining the nature of the incident. It’s crucial to correctly identify an incident before it can be contained, as containment strategies may vary depending on the type of incident.

References: The Incident Response process is generally organized into several key phases, which include Preparation, Identification, Containment, Eradication, Recovery, and Lessons Learned1. Identification is the phase where the incident is first recognized and understood, which logically precedes the Containment phase, where measures are taken to limit the impact of the incident.

When defining actions for an IDS policy, the most important consideration is the level of risk to the organization’s data. This involves assessing the potential impact of the intrusion on the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data, which guides the prioritization and response efforts.

References = ISACA’s guidance on cybersecurity incident response highlights the importance of understanding the risk to data as a key factor in shaping the response to intrusions. This includes evaluating the severity of the threat and the sensitivity of the affected data to determine the appropriate actions123.

The BEST response to an IT manager’s statement that the risk associated with the use of mobile devices in an organizational setting is the same as for any other device is that replication of privileged access and the greater likelihood of physical loss increases risk levels. Mobile devices pose unique risks to an organization due to their portability, connectivity, and functionality. Mobile devices may store or access sensitive data or systems that require privileged access, which can be compromised if the device is lost, stolen, or hacked. Mobile devices also have a higher chance of being misplaced or taken by unauthorized parties than other devices.

When fraud has been detected following an incident, a forensics audit is the most relevant type of audit to conduct. A forensics audit is specifically designed to investigate and uncover evidence of fraud, misconduct, or other financial crimes. It involves the use of auditing and investigative skills to examine financial records, identify irregularities, and gather evidence that can be used in legal proceedings1.

References: The information aligns with the guidance provided by ISACA, which suggests that when fraud is suspected or detected, an audit should focus on the forensic examination of the evidence to understand the nature of the fraud and to gather proof1. Additionally, the role of internal audit in such cases is to assess the controls in place to prevent fraud and not necessarily to investigate the fraud itself unless they have the specific experience and expertise required1.

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.

Hashing is a method used to ensure the integrity of digital assets. It involves applying a hash function to the digital asset’s data to produce a unique hash value. This value acts as a digital fingerprint; any alteration to the data will result in a different hash value when the hash function is reapplied. This makes it easy to detect unauthorized changes to the data, thereby protecting the integrity of the digital assets.

References: ISACA’s resources on cybersecurity audit emphasize the importance of using hashing as a control mechanism. Hashing is highlighted as a reliable method for maintaining the integrity of digital assets, as it provides a way to verify that the data has not been tampered with1.

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.

Strong data loss prevention (DLP) solutions help protect information in all states: at rest, in transit and in use. This is because DLP solutions are technologies or tools that help to prevent unauthorized or accidental disclosure, modification, or deletion of sensitive or confidential information by users or applications. DLP solutions help to protect information in all states, by applying different types of controls or mechanisms depending on the state of the information. For example, DLP solutions can protect information at rest by encrypting or masking the data stored on devices or media; protect information in transit by inspecting or filtering the data transmitted over networks or channels; and protect information in use by restricting or monitoring the access or usage of the data by users or applications. The other options are not states that strong data loss prevention (DLP) solutions help protect information in, but rather different levels (B), classifications C, or actions (D) that are related to information security.

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 role of risk management is to provide an oversight function, ensuring that the business management’s decisions align with the organization’s risk appetite and strategy. If the risk management function were to overrule business management decisions, it could compromise its objectivity. This could lead to a conflict of interest and diminish the function’s ability to provide unbiased oversight and measurement of business activities.

References: The ISACA resources suggest that risk management should be a separate function that aids in the objective assessment and management of risks without directly intervening in business decisions12. This separation is crucial to maintain the integrity of the risk management process and to ensure that it can effectively monitor and measure business activities from an independent standpoint.

When outsourcing a key business function, the most important consideration to mitigate cybersecurity risks is to include a cybersecurity clause in the contract. This clause should clearly define the cybersecurity responsibilities, expectations, and requirements for the service provider. It ensures that the service provider adheres to specific cybersecurity standards and practices, and it provides a legal basis for enforcement and liability in the event of a cybersecurity breach.

References: The importance of including a cybersecurity clause in contracts with service providers is highlighted in ISACA’s guidance on outsourcing IT services. This guidance emphasizes the need for governance and risk assessment processes, which include ensuring that appropriate cybersecurity controls are in place through contractual agreements12.

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.

 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.

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).