Which of the following is considered an exploit event?
- A . An attacker takes advantage of a vulnerability
- B . Any event that is verified as a security breach
- C . The actual occurrence of an adverse event
A
Explanation:
Ein Exploit-Ereignis tritt auf, wenn ein Angreifer eine Schwachstelle ausnutzt, um unbefugten Zugang zu einem System zu erlangen oder es zu kompromittieren. Dies ist ein grundlegender Begriff in der IT-Sicherheit. Wenn ein Angreifer eine bekannte oder unbekannte Schwachstelle in einer Software, Hardware oder einem Netzwerkprotokoll erkennt und ausnutzt, wird dies als Exploit bezeichnet. Definition und Bedeutung:
Ein Exploit ist eine Methode oder Technik, die verwendet wird, um Schwachstellen in einem System auszunutzen.
Schwachstellen können Softwarefehler, Fehlkonfigurationen oder Sicherheitslücken sein.
Ablauf eines Exploit-Ereignisses:
Identifizierung der Schwachstelle: Der Angreifer entdeckt eine Schwachstelle in einem System. Entwicklung des Exploits: Der Angreifer entwickelt oder verwendet ein bestehendes Tool, um die Schwachstelle auszunutzen.
Durchführung des Angriffs: Der Exploit wird durchgeführt, um unautorisierten Zugang zu erlangen
oder Schaden zu verursachen.
Reference: ISA 315: Generelle IT-Kontrollen und die Notwendigkeit, Risiken aus dem IT-Einsatz zu identifizieren und zu behandeln.
IDW PS 951: IT-Risiken und Kontrollen im Rahmen der Jahresabschlussprüfung, die die Notwendigkeit von Kontrollen zur Identifizierung und Bewertung von Schwachstellen unterstreicht.
Potential losses resulting from employee errors and system failures are examples of:
- A . operational risk.
- B . market risk.
- C . strategic risk.
A
Explanation:
Operationelle Risiken umfassen Verluste, die durch unzureichende oder fehlgeschlagene interne Prozesse, Personen und Systeme oder durch externe Ereignisse verursacht werden. Mitarbeiterfehler und Systemausfälle sind typische Beispiele für operationelle Risiken. Definition und Kategorien von Risiken:
Operational Risk: Betrifft Verluste aufgrund interner Prozesse oder menschlicher Fehler.
Market Risk: Verluste aufgrund von Marktschwankungen.
Strategic Risk: Verluste aufgrund von Fehlentscheidungen im Management oder strategischen Planungsfehlern.
Beispiele für operationelle Risiken:
Mitarbeiterfehler: Fehlerhafte Dateneingabe, Nichtbeachtung von Arbeitsprozessen.
Systemausfälle: IT-Systemabstürze, Hardware-Fehlfunktionen.
Reference: ISA 315: Operational risks and how they are identified and managed within the IT environment.
ISO 27001: Information security management systems that include measures for mitigating operational risks.
Which of the following would be considered a cyber-risk?
- A . A system that does not meet the needs of users
- B . A change in security technology
- C . Unauthorized use of information
C
Explanation:
Cyber-Risiken betreffen Bedrohungen und Schwachstellen in IT-Systemen, die durch unbefugten
Zugriff oder Missbrauch von Informationen entstehen. Dies schließt die unautorisierte Nutzung von
Informationen ein.
Definition und Beispiele:
Cyber Risk: Risiken im Zusammenhang mit Cyberangriffen, Datenverlust und Informationsdiebstahl.
Unauthorized Use of Information: Ein Beispiel für ein Cyber-Risiko, bei dem unbefugte Personen
Zugang zu vertraulichen Daten erhalten.
Schutzmaßnahmen:
Zugriffskontrollen: Authentifizierung und Autorisierung, um unbefugten Zugriff zu verhindern.
Sicherheitsüberwachung: Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) und regelmäßige
Sicherheitsüberprüfungen.
Reference: ISA 315: Importance of IT controls in preventing unauthorized access and use of information.
ISO 27001: Framework for managing information security risks, including unauthorized access.
Which of the following is the BEST way to interpret enterprise standards?
- A . A means of implementing policy
- B . An approved code of practice
- C . Documented high-level principles
A
Explanation:
Unternehmensstandards dienen als Mittel zur Umsetzung von Richtlinien. Sie legen spezifische Anforderungen und Verfahren fest, die sicherstellen, dass die Unternehmensrichtlinien eingehalten werden.
Definition und Bedeutung von Standards:
Enterprise Standards: Dokumentierte, detaillierte Anweisungen, die die Umsetzung von Richtlinien unterstützen.
Implementierung von Richtlinien: Standards helfen dabei, die abstrakten Richtlinien in konkrete,
umsetzbare Maßnahmen zu überführen.
Beispiele und Anwendung:
IT-Sicherheitsstandards: Definieren spezifische Sicherheitsanforderungen, die zur Einhaltung der übergeordneten IT-Sicherheitsrichtlinien erforderlich sind.
Compliance-Standards: Stellen sicher, dass gesetzliche und regulatorische Anforderungen
eingehalten werden.
Reference: ISA 315: Role of IT controls and standards in implementing organizational policies.
ISO 27001: Establishing standards for information security management to support policy implementation.
Which of the following is the MAIN objective of governance?
- A . Creating controls throughout the entire organization
- B . Creating risk awareness at all levels of the organization
- C . Creating value through investments for the organization
C
Explanation:
Governance is primarily concerned with ensuring that an organization achieves its objectives, operates efficiently, and adds value to its stakeholders. The main objective of governance is to create value through investments for the organization. This encompasses making strategic decisions that align with the organization’s goals, ensuring that resources are used effectively, and that the organization’s activities are sustainable and provide long-term benefits. While creating controls and risk awareness are essential aspects of governance, they serve the broader goal of value creation through strategic investments. This concept is aligned with principles found in corporate governance frameworks and standards such as ISO/IEC 38500 and COBIT (Control Objectives for Information and Related Technologies).
Which of the following is MOST likely to promote ethical and open communication of risk management activities at the executive level?
- A . Recommending risk tolerance levels to the business
- B . Expressing risk results in financial terms
- C . Increasing the frequency of risk status reports
B
Explanation:
Expressing risk results in financial terms is most likely to promote ethical and open communication of risk management activities at the executive level. This is because financial metrics are universally understood and can clearly illustrate the impact of risks on the organization. By translating risk into financial terms, executives can more easily comprehend the severity and potential consequences of various risks, facilitating informed decision-making and fostering transparency. It also allows for a common language between different departments and stakeholders, enhancing clarity and reducing misunderstandings. This practice is emphasized in frameworks like ISO 31000 and is a key aspect of effective risk communication.
Which of the following MUST be established in order to manage l&T-related risk throughout the enterprise?
- A . An enterprise risk governance committee
- B . The enterprise risk universe
- C . Industry best practices for risk management
A
Explanation:
To manage IT-related risk throughout the enterprise, it is crucial to establish an enterprise risk governance committee. This committee provides oversight and direction for the risk management activities across the organization. It ensures that risks are identified, assessed, and managed in alignment with the organization’s risk appetite and strategy. The committee typically includes senior executives and stakeholders who can influence policy and resource allocation. This structure supports a comprehensive approach to risk management, integrating risk considerations into decision-making processes. This requirement is in line with guidance from frameworks such as COBIT and ISO 27001, which emphasize governance structures for effective risk management.
To establish an enterprise risk appetite, an organization should:
- A . normalize risk taxonomy across the organization.
- B . aggregate risk statements for all lines of business.
- C . establish risk tolerance for each business unit.
C
Explanation:
To establish an enterprise risk appetite, it is essential for an organization to establish risk tolerance for each business unit. Risk tolerance defines the specific level of risk that each business unit is willing to accept in pursuit of its objectives. This approach ensures that risk management is tailored to the unique context and operational realities of different parts of the organization, enabling a more precise and effective risk management strategy. Normalizing risk taxonomy and aggregating risk statements are important steps in the broader risk management process but establishing risk tolerance is fundamental for defining risk appetite at the unit level. This concept is supported by standards such as ISO 31000 and frameworks like COSO ERM (Enterprise Risk Management).
Which of the following is the BEST reason for an enterprise to avoid an absolute prohibition on risk?
- A . It may not be understood by executive management.
- B . It may lead to ineffective use of resources.
- C . It may not provide adequate support for budget increases.
B
Explanation:
An absolute prohibition on risk means that an enterprise avoids any and all forms of risk, regardless of potential benefits.
This approach can lead to the following issues:
Inefficiency in Resource Allocation: Absolute risk avoidance can cause an enterprise to allocate resources ineffectively. For example, by avoiding all risks, the enterprise may miss out on opportunities that could bring substantial benefits. Resources that could be invested in innovation or improvement are instead tied up in mitigating even the smallest of risks.
Stifling Innovation and Growth: Enterprises that are overly risk-averse may hinder innovation and growth. Taking calculated risks is essential for driving new initiatives, products, or services. Without accepting some level of risk, companies might lag behind competitors who are willing to innovate and take strategic risks.
Poor Risk Management Practices: By trying to avoid all risks, enterprises might develop a risk management strategy that is more about avoidance than mitigation and management. Effective risk management involves identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks, not completely avoiding them.
This ensures that the company is prepared for potential challenges and can manage them proactively.
Reference: ISA 315 Anlage 5 and Anlage 6 discuss the importance of understanding and managing risks associated with IT environments. They highlight the need for a balanced approach to risk management that includes both manual and automated controls to handle various risk levels (e.g., operational, compliance, strategic).
SAP Reports and Handbooks highlight the necessity of balancing risk with operational efficiency to maintain effective resource allocation and drive business objectives forward.
What is the purpose of a control objective?
- A . To describe the result of protecting an asset for a business process
- B . To describe the risk of loss to an asset
- C . To describe the responsibility of stakeholders to protect assets
A
Explanation:
A control objective is a specific target or goal that a control activity aims to achieve. The primary purpose of a control objective is to ensure that the business processes are conducted in a way that meets the organization’s requirements for security, accuracy, and efficiency.
Specifically, control objectives:
Define Desired Outcomes: They describe the expected result of implementing a control, such as protecting an asset, ensuring data integrity, or complying with regulations. For example, a control objective might be to ensure that financial transactions are accurately recorded and reported. Guide Control Activities: Control objectives help in designing and implementing control activities. These activities are then measured against the control objectives to ensure they are effective in achieving the desired outcome.
Support Risk Management: Control objectives are integral to risk management frameworks as they help in identifying what needs to be controlled to mitigate risks effectively. They provide a benchmark against which the performance of controls can be measured.
Reference: ISA 315 Anlage 5 and Anlage 6 detail the importance of understanding and defining control objectives within the context of IT controls to ensure they adequately address the risks and support business processes effectively.
SAP Financial Modules and Reports include various control objectives aimed at protecting assets, ensuring accurate financial reporting, and complying with regulatory requirements.
Which of the following is the BEST indication of a good risk culture?
- A . The enterprise learns from negative outcomes and treats the root cause.
- B . The enterprise enables discussions of risk and facts within the risk management functions.
- C . The enterprise places a strong emphasis on the positive and negative elements of risk.
A
Explanation:
A good risk culture in an organization can be identified by several characteristics. Among the options provided:
Option A: The enterprise learns from negative outcomes and treats the root cause This option reflects a proactive and continuous improvement approach to risk management. It indicates that the organization does not just react to incidents but also learns from them and implements measures to address the underlying issues, thereby preventing recurrence. This approach aligns with best practices in risk management and demonstrates a mature risk culture. Option B: The enterprise enables discussions of risk and facts within the risk management functions While facilitating open discussions about risk is important, it primarily shows that the enterprise supports a communicative environment. However, it does not necessarily indicate that the enterprise takes concrete actions to learn from negative outcomes or address root causes.
Option C: The enterprise places a strong emphasis on the positive and negative elements of risk Emphasizing both positive and negative elements of risk is beneficial as it provides a balanced view.
Nonetheless, this focus alone does not provide evidence of actions taken to learn from past mistakes or to rectify the root causes of issues.
Conclusion:
Option A is the best indication of a good risk culture because it demonstrates that the organization is committed to learning from past failures and improving its risk management processes by addressing the root causes of problems.
In the context of enterprise risk management (ERM), what is the overall role of l&T risk management stakeholders?
- A . Stakeholders set direction and provide support for risk management practices.
- B . Stakeholders are accountable for all risk management activities within an enterprise.
- C . Stakeholders are responsible for protecting enterprise assets to achieve business objectives.
A
Explanation:
In the context of enterprise risk management (ERM), stakeholders play a crucial role in shaping and supporting the risk management framework within the organization. Here is a detailed explanation of the roles and why option A is the correct answer:
Option A: Stakeholders set direction and provide support for risk management practices This option accurately describes the overarching role of stakeholders in ERM. Stakeholders, including senior management and the board of directors, are responsible for establishing the risk management policies and frameworks. They provide the necessary resources, guidance, and oversight to ensure that risk management practices are integrated into the organizational processes. This support is essential for creating a risk-aware culture and for ensuring that risk management objectives align with the business goals.
Option B: Stakeholders are accountable for all risk management activities within an enterprise This statement is overly broad. While stakeholders are accountable for ensuring that a robust risk management framework is in place, the actual execution of risk management activities is typically the responsibility of designated risk management teams and individual business units.
Option C: Stakeholders are responsible for protecting enterprise assets to achieve business objectives Although stakeholders have a role in protecting enterprise assets, this responsibility is more specific and does not encompass the broader role of setting direction and providing support for the overall risk management framework.
Conclusion:
Option A correctly captures the essential role of stakeholders in ERM, which involves setting the strategic direction for risk management and providing the necessary support to implement and maintain effective risk management practices.
Which of the following is the PRIMARY outcome of a risk scoping activity?
- A . Identification of major risk factors to be benchmarked against industry competitors
- B . Identification of potential high-impact risk areas throughout the enterprise
- C . Identification of risk scenarios related to emerging technologies
B
Explanation:
Risk scoping is a critical activity in the risk management process aimed at identifying areas within the enterprise that may be exposed to significant risks. The primary outcome of this activity is to identify potential high-impact risk areas throughout the enterprise. This involves assessing various business processes, IT systems, and operational functions to determine where risks may arise and their potential impact on the organization. By focusing on high-impact areas, the organization can prioritize resources and efforts to mitigate these risks effectively. This approach ensures a comprehensive understanding of the risk landscape, which is essential for effective risk management and aligns with best practices outlined in ISO 31000 and COBIT frameworks.
Publishing l&T risk-related policies and procedures BEST enables an enterprise to:
- A . set the overall expectations for risk management.
- B . hold management accountable for risk loss events.
- C . ensure regulatory compliance and adherence to risk standards.
A
Explanation:
Publishing IT risk-related policies and procedures sets the overall expectations for risk management within an enterprise. These documents provide a clear framework and guidelines for how risk should be managed, communicated, and mitigated across the organization. They outline roles, responsibilities, and processes, ensuring that all employees understand their part in the risk management process. This clarity helps align the organization’s efforts towards a common goal and fosters a risk-aware culture. While holding management accountable and ensuring regulatory compliance are important, the primary role of these policies is to set the tone and expectations for managing risks effectively, as emphasized by standards such as ISO 27001 and COBIT.
An enterprise’s risk policy should be aligned with its:
- A . current risk.
- B . risk capacity.
- C . risk appetite.
C
Explanation:
An enterprise’s risk policy should be aligned with its risk appetite, which defines the amount and type of risk the organization is willing to accept in pursuit of its objectives. This alignment ensures that the risk management efforts are consistent with the strategic goals and risk tolerance levels set by the organization’s leadership. Risk appetite provides a clear boundary for risk-taking activities and helps in making informed decisions about which risks to accept, mitigate, transfer, or avoid. Aligning the risk policy with the risk appetite ensures that risk management practices are in harmony with the organization’s overall strategy and objectives, as recommended by frameworks like COSO ERM and ISO 31000.
What is the basis for determining the sensitivity of an IT asset?
- A . Potential damage to the business due to unauthorized disclosure
- B . Cost to replace the asset if lost, damaged, or deemed obsolete
- C . Importance of the asset to the business
A
Explanation:
The sensitivity of an IT asset is determined primarily by the potential damage to the business due to unauthorized disclosure. This assessment considers the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the asset and the impact its compromise could have on the organization. Sensitive assets often contain critical information or support vital business processes, making their protection paramount. By focusing on the potential damage from unauthorized disclosure, organizations can prioritize their security efforts on assets that would cause significant harm if compromised. This approach is consistent with risk assessment methodologies found in standards such as ISO 27001 and NIST SP 800-53.
Which of the following represents a vulnerability associated with legacy systems using older technology?
- A . Lost opportunity to capitalize on emerging technologies
- B . Rising costs associated with system maintenance
- C . Inability to patch or apply system updates
C
Explanation:
Legacy systems using older technology often suffer from the inability to patch or apply system updates, representing a significant vulnerability. This lack of updates can leave the system exposed to known security vulnerabilities, making it an attractive target for cyberattacks. Additionally, unsupported systems may not receive critical updates necessary for compliance with current security standards and regulations. While rising maintenance costs and lost opportunities are also concerns, the primary vulnerability lies in the system’s inability to be updated, which directly impacts its security posture. This issue is highlighted in various IT security frameworks, including ISO 27001 and NIST SP 800-53.
Which of the following is the GREATEST benefit of effective asset valuation?
- A . It protects the enterprise from paying more for protection than the net worth of the asset.
- B . It assures that asset valuation is consistently applied to all assets across the enterprise.
- C . It ensures assets are linked to processes and classified based on business value.
C
Explanation:
Effective asset valuation is crucial for several reasons, but the greatest benefit is its ability to ensure that assets are linked to processes and classified based on their business value.
Here’s a detailed explanation:
Linking Assets to Processes:
Understanding Asset Utilization: By valuing assets effectively, an organization can better understand how each asset is used in various processes. This linkage helps in optimizing the use of assets, ensuring that they contribute effectively to business operations.
Enhancing Process Efficiency: When assets are correctly valued and linked to processes, it enables the organization to streamline operations, reduce waste, and improve overall efficiency.
Classification Based on Business Value:
Prioritization of Resources: Effective asset valuation allows the organization to prioritize resources towards assets that hold the highest business value. This means that critical assets that support key business processes receive the necessary attention and investment.
Informed Decision Making: Accurate valuation provides management with the necessary information to make informed decisions about asset maintenance, replacement, and enhancement, ensuring that the assets continue to provide value to the business.
Risk Management:
Mitigating Financial Risks: By knowing the exact value of assets, the organization can avoid over-investing or under-investing in protection measures. This balance helps in mitigating financial risks associated with asset management.
Compliance and Reporting: Proper asset valuation ensures compliance with financial reporting standards and regulations, thereby reducing the risk of legal or regulatory issues.
Reference: The importance of linking assets to business processes and their classification based on business value is emphasized in various audit and IT management frameworks, including COBIT and ITIL. ISA 315 highlights the importance of understanding the entity’s information system and relevant controls, which includes the valuation and management of assets.
Which type of assessment evaluates the changes in technical or operating environments that could result in adverse consequences to an enterprise?
- A . Vulnerability assessment
- B . Threat assessment
- C . Control self-assessment
B
Explanation:
A Threat Assessment evaluates changes in the technical or operating environments that could result in adverse consequences to an enterprise. This process involves identifying potential threats that could exploit vulnerabilities in the system, leading to significant impacts on the organization’s operations, financial status, or reputation. It is essential to distinguish between different types of assessments:
Vulnerability Assessment: Focuses on identifying weaknesses in the system that could be exploited by threats. It does not specifically evaluate changes in the environment but rather the existing vulnerabilities within the system.
Threat Assessment: Involves evaluating changes in the technical or operating environments that could introduce new threats or alter the impact of existing threats. It looks at how external and internal changes could create potential risks for the organization. This assessment is crucial for
understanding how the evolving environment can influence the threat landscape.
Control Self-Assessment (CSA): A process where internal controls are evaluated by the employees responsible for them. It helps in identifying control gaps but does not specifically focus on changes in the environment or their impact.
Given these definitions, the correct type of assessment that evaluates changes in technical or operating environments that could result in adverse consequences to an enterprise is the Threat Assessment.
One of the PRIMARY purposes of threat intelligence is to understand:
- A . zero-day threats.
- B . breach likelihood.
- C . asset vulnerabilities.
B
Explanation:
One of the PRIMARY purposes of threat intelligence is to understand breach likelihood. Threat intelligence involves gathering, analyzing, and interpreting data about potential or existing threats to an organization. This intelligence helps in predicting, preparing for, and mitigating potential cyber attacks.
The key purposes include:
Understanding Zero-Day Threats: While this is important, it is a subset of the broader goal. Zero-day threats are specific, unknown vulnerabilities that can be exploited, but threat intelligence covers a wider range of threats.
Breach Likelihood: The primary goal is to assess the probability of a security breach occurring. By understanding the threat landscape, organizations can evaluate the likelihood of various threats materializing and prioritize their defenses accordingly. This assessment includes analyzing threat actors, their methods, motivations, and potential targets to predict the likelihood of a breach.
Asset Vulnerabilities: Identifying vulnerabilities in assets is a part of threat intelligence, but it is not the primary purpose. The primary purpose is to understand the threat landscape and how likely it is that those vulnerabilities will be exploited.
Therefore, the primary purpose of threat intelligence is to understand the likelihood of a breach, enabling organizations to strengthen their security posture against potential attacks.
Which of the following is MOST likely to expose an organization to adverse threats?
- A . Complex enterprise architecture
- B . Improperly configured network devices
- C . Incomplete cybersecurity training records
B
Explanation:
The MOST likely factor to expose an organization to adverse threats is improperly configured network devices.
Here’s why:
Complex Enterprise Architecture: While complexity can introduce vulnerabilities and increase the difficulty of managing security, it is not inherently the most likely factor to cause exposure. Properly managed complex architectures can still be secure.
Improperly Configured Network Devices: This is the most likely cause of exposure to threats. Network devices such as routers, firewalls, and switches are critical for maintaining security boundaries and controlling access. If these devices are not configured correctly, they can create significant vulnerabilities. For example, default configurations or weak passwords can be easily exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized access, leading to data breaches or network disruptions. Incomplete Cybersecurity Training Records: While important, incomplete training records alone do not directly expose the organization to threats. It indicates a potential gap in awareness and preparedness but does not directly result in vulnerabilities that can be exploited.
Given the critical role network devices play in an organization’s security infrastructure, improper configuration of these devices poses the greatest risk of exposure to adverse threats.
Reference: ISA 315 Anlage 5 and 6: Understanding IT risks and controls in an organization’s environment, particularly the configuration and management of IT infrastructure.
SAP Reports: Example configurations and the impact of network device misconfigurations on security.
Which of the following is the PRIMARY concern with vulnerability assessments?
- A . Threat mitigation
- B . Report size
- C . False positives
C
Explanation:
The primary concern with vulnerability assessments is the presence of false positives. Here’s why: Threat Mitigation: While vulnerability assessments help in identifying potential vulnerabilities that need to be mitigated, this is not a concern but an objective of the assessment. It aims to provide information for better threat mitigation.
Report Size: The size of the report generated from a vulnerability assessment is not a primary concern. The focus is on the accuracy and relevance of the findings rather than the volume of the report.
False Positives: These occur when the vulnerability assessment incorrectly identifies a security issue that does not actually exist. False positives can lead to wasted resources as time and effort are spent investigating and addressing non-existent problems. They can also cause distractions from addressing real vulnerabilities, thus posing a significant concern.
The primary concern, therefore, is managing and reducing false positives to ensure the vulnerability assessment is accurate and effective.
Which of the following are control conditions that exist in IT systems and may be exploited by an attacker?
- A . Cybersecurity risk scenarios
- B . Vulnerabilities
- C . Threats
B
Explanation:
Control conditions that exist in IT systems and may be exploited by an attacker are known as vulnerabilities.
Here’s the breakdown:
Cybersecurity Risk Scenarios: These are hypothetical situations that outline potential security threats and their impact on an organization. They are not specific control conditions but rather a part of risk assessment and planning.
Vulnerabilities: These are weaknesses or flaws in the IT systems that can be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized access or cause damage. Vulnerabilities can be found in software, hardware, or procedural controls, and addressing these is critical for maintaining system security.
Threats: These are potential events or actions that can exploit vulnerabilities to cause harm. While threats are important to identify, they are not the control conditions themselves but rather the actors or events that take advantage of these conditions.
Thus, the correct answer is vulnerabilities, as these are the exploitable weaknesses within IT systems.
Which of the following is the BEST way to minimize potential attack vectors on the enterprise network?
- A . Implement network log monitoring.
- B . Disable any unneeded ports.
- C . Provide annual cybersecurity awareness training.
B
Explanation:
The best way to minimize potential attack vectors on the enterprise network is to disable any unneeded ports.
Here’s why:
Implement Network Log Monitoring: This is important for detecting and responding to security incidents but does not directly minimize attack vectors. It helps in identifying attacks that have already penetrated the network.
Disable Any Unneeded Ports: By closing or disabling ports that are not needed, you reduce the number of entry points that an attacker can exploit. Open ports can be potential attack vectors for
malicious activities, so minimizing the number of open ports is a direct method to reduce the attack surface.
Provide Annual Cybersecurity Awareness Training: While this is crucial for educating employees and reducing human-related security risks, it does not directly address the technical attack vectors on the network itself.
Therefore, the best method to minimize potential attack vectors is to disable any unneeded ports, as this directly reduces the number of exploitable entry points.
Which of the following is an example of an inductive method to gather information?
- A . Vulnerability analysis
- B . Controls gap analysis
- C . Penetration testing
C
Explanation:
Penetration testing is an example of an inductive method to gather information. Here’s why: Vulnerability Analysis: This typically involves a deductive approach where existing knowledge of vulnerabilities is applied to identify weaknesses in the system. It is more of a systematic analysis rather than an exploratory method.
Controls Gap Analysis: This is a deductive method where existing controls are evaluated against standards or benchmarks to identify gaps. It follows a structured approach based on predefined criteria.
Penetration Testing: This involves actively trying to exploit vulnerabilities in the system to discover new security weaknesses. It is an exploratory and inductive method, where testers simulate attacks to uncover security flaws that were not previously identified.
Penetration testing uses an inductive approach by exploring and testing the system in various ways to identify potential security gaps, making it the best example of an inductive method.
Reference: ISA 315 Anlage 5 and 6: Understanding vulnerabilities, threats, and controls in IT systems.
GoBD and ISO-27001 guidelines on minimizing attack vectors and conducting security assessments. These references ensure a comprehensive understanding of the concerns and methodologies involved in IT risk and audit processes.