CISA Exam Dumps - Certified Information Systems Auditor

 Scope creep is the uncontrolled expansion of a project’s scope, which can result in delays, cost overruns, and quality issues. To mitigate the risk of scope creep, an IS auditor should look for projectchange management controls, which are processes and procedures for managing changes to the project’s scope, schedule, budget, and quality. Project change management controls ensure that changes are properly requested, approved, documented, communicated, and implemented. Source code version control, existence of an architecture review board, and configuration management are also important for software development, but they do not directly address the risk of scope creep. References: ISACA Frameworks: Blueprints for Success, Project Management Institute: A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge

The role of a document owner when implementing a data classification policy in an organization is to classify documents to correctly reflect the level of sensitivity of information they contain. A documentowner is the person who is ultimately responsible for the creation, maintenance, and protection of a document, usually a member of senior management or a business unit1. A data classification policy is a plan that defines how the organization categorizesits data based on its value, risk, and regulatory requirements, and how it handles and secures each data category2.

According to the data classification policy template by Netwrix3, one of the roles and responsibilities of the document owner is to assign data classification labels based on the data’s potential impact level. Data classification labels are tags or markings that indicate the sensitivity level of the data, such as public, internal, confidential, or restricted. The document owner should apply the data classification labels to the documents that contain the data, either manually or automatically, using tools and methods such as metadata, watermarks, headers, footers, or encryption. The document owner should also review and update the data classification labels periodically or whenever there is a change in the data’s sensitivity level.

By classifying documents to correctly reflect the level of sensitivity of information they contain, the document owner can help to ensure that the documents are handled in accordance with the data classification policy. This means that the documents are stored, accessed, shared, transmitted, and disposed of in a secure and appropriate manner, based on the rules and controls defined for each data category. This can also help to prevent data loss, leakage, or breach incidents that may cause harm or damage to the organization or its stakeholders.

Therefore, option A is the correct answer.

References:

Data Classification Policy: Definition, Examples, & Free Template2

Data Classification Policy Template - Netwrix3

Data Classification and Handling Policy - University of Hull1

Given the large volume of data transactions, continuous monitoring is the best testing strategy for auditing the inventory control process. Continuous monitoring involves the automated review of operational and financial data to identify anomalies or areas of concern12. This approach allows for real-time identification and resolution of issues, making it particularly effective for large organizations with high transaction volumes12.

References: ISACA’s Information Systems Auditor Study Materials1

The primary reason for an IS auditor to perform a risk assessment is to help identify areas with a relatively high probability of material problems. A risk assessment is a systematic process of evaluating the potential risks that may be involved in an activity or undertaking. It involves identifying the sources of risk, analyzing the likelihood and impact of the risk, and prioritizing the risks based on their significance. A risk assessment helps the IS auditor to focus on the areas that are most vulnerable to errors, fraud, or inefficiencies, and to design appropriate audit procedures to address those risks. A risk assessment also helps the IS auditor to allocate audit resources efficiently and effectively.

A risk assessment does not provide a basis for the formulation of corrective action plans, as this is a responsibility of management, not the IS auditor. A risk assessment does not increase awareness of the types of management actions that may be inappropriate, as this is a matter of professional ethicsand judgment. A risk assessment does not help to identify areas that are most sensitive to fraudulent or inaccurate practices, as this is a result of the risk assessment, not its purpose.

References:

ISACA, CISA Review Manual, 27th Edition, Chapter 1: The Process of Auditing Information Systems, Section 1.3: Risk Assessment in Planning1

Corporate Finance Institute, Audit Risk Model2

The IS auditor should first determine whether the business impact analysis (BIA) is current with the organization’s structure and context. The BIA is a critical component of the BCP and should reflect thecurrent state of the organization. If the BIA is not up-to-date, it may not accurately reflect the impact of a disruption to the organization’s operations, including the closure of a production plant12.

References: ISACA’s Information Systems Auditor Study Materials1

End-user computing (EUC) is a system in which users are able to create working applications besides the divided development process of design, build, test and release that is typically followed by software engineers1. Examples of EUC tools include spreadsheets, databases, low-code/no-code platforms, and generative AI applications2. EUC tools can provide flexibility, efficiency, and innovation for the users, but they also pose significant risks if not properly managed and controlled3.

The greatest risk when relying on reports generated by EUC is that the data may be inaccurate. Data accuracy refers to the extent to which the data in the reports reflect the true values of the underlying information4. Inaccurate data can lead to erroneous decisions, misleading analysis, unreliable reporting, and compliance violations. Some of the factors that can cause data inaccuracy in EUC reports are:

Lack of rigorous testing: EUC tools may not undergo the same level of testing and validation as IT-developed applications, which can result in errors, bugs, or inconsistencies in the data processing and output3.

Lack of version and change control: EUC tools may not have a clear record of the changes made to them over time, which can create confusion, duplication, or loss of data. Users may also modify or overwrite the data without proper authorization or documentation3.

Lack of documentation and reliance on end-user who developed it: EUC tools may not have sufficient documentation to explain their purpose, functionality, assumptions, limitations, and dependencies. Users may also rely on the knowledge and expertise of the original developer, who may not be available or may not have followed best practices3.

Lack of maintenance processes: EUC tools may not have regular updates, backups, or reviews to ensure their functionality and security. Users may also neglect to delete or archive obsolete or redundant data3.

Lack of security: EUC tools may not have adequate access controls, encryption, or authentication mechanisms to protect the data from unauthorized access, modification, or disclosure. Users may also store or share the data in insecure locations or devices3.

Lack of audit trail: EUC tools may not have a traceable history of the data sources, inputs, outputs, calculations, and transformations. Users may also manipulate or falsify the data without detection or accountability3.

Overreliance on manual controls: EUC tools may depend on human intervention to input, verify, or correct the data, which can introduce errors, delays, or biases. Users may also lack the skills or training to use the EUC tools effectively and efficiently3.

The other options are not as great as data inaccuracy when relying on EUC reports. Reports may not work efficiently, reports may not be timely, and historical data may not be available are all potential risks associated with EUC tools, but they are less severe and less frequent than data inaccuracy. Moreover, these risks can be mitigated by improving the performance, scheduling, and storage of the EUC tools. However, data inaccuracy can have a pervasive and lasting impact on the quality and credibility of the reports and the decisions based on them. Therefore, option A is the correct answer.

References:

What is Data Accuracy?

What Is End User Computing (EUC) Risk?

End-user computing

End-User Computing (EUC) Risks: A Comprehensive Guide

 A SQL injection attack is a type of attack that targets security vulnerabilities in web applications to gain access to data sets. A SQL injection attack exploits a flaw in the web application code that allows an attacker to inject malicious SQL statements into the input fields or parameters of the web application. These SQL statements can then execute on the underlying database server and manipulate or retrieve sensitive data from the database. A SQL injection attack can result in data theft, data corruption, unauthorized access, denial of service or even complete takeover of the database server. A denial of service (DOS) attack is a type of attack that aims to disrupt the availability or functionality of a web application or a network service by overwhelming it with excessive requests or traffic. A phishing attack is a type of attack that uses deceptive emails or websites to trick users into revealing their personal or financial information or credentials. A rootkit is a type of malware that hides itself from detection and grants unauthorized access or control over a compromised system. References: IS Audit and Assurance Tools and Techniques, CISA Certification | Certified Information Systems Auditor | ISACA

The greatest concern with the lack of structure for technology risk governance is C. Key decision-making entities for technology risk have not been identified. Technology risk governance is the process of establishing and maintaining the policies, roles, responsibilities, and accountabilities for managing technology risks within an organization1. Technology risk governance requires a clear organizational structure that defines who has the authority and responsibility to make decisions, set objectives, allocate resources, monitor performance, and ensure compliance for technology risk management2. Without such a structure, an organization may face the following challenges:

Lack of alignment and integration between technology and business strategies, leading to suboptimal outcomes and missed opportunities.

Lack of clarity and consistency in technology risk identification, assessment, mitigation, and reporting, leading to gaps and overlaps in risk coverage and exposure.

Lack of communication and collaboration among different stakeholders involved in technology risk management, leading to conflicts and inefficiencies.

Lack of oversight and accountability for technology risk management activities and results, leading to poor quality and reliability.