ISACA CISA Exam Practice Questions (P. 1)

GPT-4o - Answer

The lack of testing of the Business Continuity Plan (BCP) is indeed a significant concern for an IS auditor. Regular testing and revision are critical to ensure a BCP is effective and applicable in real-world scenarios. Without testing, there's no assurance that the strategies contained within the plan are feasible or that the responsible personnel are familiar with their duties in the event of an actual disaster. Testing not only identifies gaps or errors in a plan but also helps maintain the plan's relevance as organizational structures and technologies evolve. This practice aligns with ISACA's standards which emphasize the importance of testing and maintaining business continuity plans.

GPT-4o - Answer

To effectively analyze computer performance, integrating user feedback, as outlined in option B, is crucial. While statistical data on capacity utilization is beneficial for identifying technical inefficiencies, understanding user experiences provides direct insights into performance issues from an end-user perspective. This feedback is essential for pinpointing areas needing immediate improvement and aligning technical optimizations with user satisfaction, making it a comprehensive approach to performance analysis.

GPT-4o - Answer

Absolutely, the main issue when two folks mess with the same database record at the same time is all about keeping the data straight. This scenario can cause inaccurate or conflicting data entries, which ultimately messes with the reliability and consistency of the data stored. Always make sure systems capable of handling simultaneous data interactions are in place to prevent such headaches!

GPT-4o - Answer

Assigning ownership for action plans is crucial because it directly links responsibility to specific individuals or teams. This approach effectively promotes accountability, ensuring that the actions required by the audit are not only acknowledged but also acted upon. Ownership provides clear lines of responsibility, making it easier to track progress and enforce completion, thus bolstering the likelihood of implementation.

GPT-4o - Answer

The primary concern for an IS auditor examining CCTV practices in a data center is that CCTV recordings aren't regularly reviewed. This is a significant aspect because consistent review ensures timely detection and response to any security incidents captured. Simply recording footage around the clock becomes ineffective if those recordings are not monitored for potential breaches or suspicious activities. Regular reviews are fundamental to maintaining effective security measures, making it the most critical concern compared to other aspects like recording duration or the camera locations, like break rooms.

GPT-4o - Answer

The primary focus for an IS auditor in the initial stages of auditing new hardware acquisition should be ensuring there's a solid business case. It's about confirming that the investment is justifiable in terms of meeting the overall business objectives. Security, user requirements, and audit capabilities are critical too, but they come into play after validating the fundamental business need for the hardware. This ensures that resources spent are aligned with strategic goals, making the business case a top priority at this phase.

GPT-4o - Answer

When checking the integrity of a hashed message, it's essential for the receiver to use the same hashing algorithm as the sender. This ensures that the generated hash value, which is essentially a numerical representation of the message, can be directly compared with the hash value sent along with the original message. If these hash values match, one can be confident that the message has not been altered in transit. This process validates the integrity of the message effectively, adhering to cryptographic principles. Using a different hashing algorithm could lead to discrepancies and fails to guarantee message integrity.

GPT-4o - Answer

A pilot implementation strategy is often chosen for minimizing disruptions in a critical business process because it allows the new system to be tested within a small, controlled segment of the organization before full-scale deployment. This approach helps in identifying and addressing potential issues in a lower-risk environment, thus reducing overall business downtime compared to options that involve immediate and organization-wide changes. This middle-ground solution offers a balance between efficiency and risk management which is often essential in environments where business continuity is crucial.

GPT-4o - Answer

Correctly identifying vulnerable assets is indeed the first step in managing the impact of a zero-day attack. This initial step allows organizations to focus specifically on those parts of their system that are at risk, enabling them to efficiently allocate resources and implement protective measures directly where needed. Recognizing which assets are susceptible informs the extent of security measures required and prioritizes subsequent actions such as estimating potential damage or evaluating the likelihood of an attack. This focused approach ensures timely and effective management of system vulnerabilities exposed by the zero-day attack.

GPT-4o - Answer

Integration testing remains the most effective method when ensuring that an application performs according to its specifications. This type of testing captures the cohesiveness and functionality of the application as a whole, focusing on how different parts of the application work together under various conditions. It is especially crucial in identifying system-level issues, including dependencies among different components, which is paramount to ensuring overall application performance aligns with its design specifications.