CISMP-V9 BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles V9.0 Question and Answers

The best practice when handling and investigating digital evidence for use in a criminal cybercrime investigation is to ensure that digital devices are forensically “clean” before any investigation takes place. This means that the devices should be free from any potential contamination that could compromise the integrity of the evidence. It’s crucial to maintain the original state of digital evidence as much as possible to ensure its admissibility in court. Altering digital evidence should be avoided unless it’s absolutely necessary for the investigation, and even then, it should be done following strict protocols to document the changes made. While law enforcement often handles digital evidence, the principle of maintaining a forensically clean state applies universally to ensure the evidence remains untainted and reliable.

References: The BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles emphasizes the importance of maintaining the integrity and reliability of digital evidence. It outlines the procedures and controls that should be in place when dealing with digital evidence, which includes ensuring devices are forensically clean before investigation1.

The method used to target senior individuals in an organization for coercing them into actions like misdirected high-value payments is known as a whaling attack. This type of attack is a more targeted version of phishing, aimed specifically at high-ranking executives or important individuals within an organization. The attackers masquerade as a senior player at the organization and use social engineering techniques to trick the target into performing actions such as transferring money or revealing sensitive information. Whaling attacks are highly personalized and often involve extensive research on the target to make the fraudulent requestsseem legitimate and convincing. The term “whaling” is used because it refers to going after the “big fish” or “whales” of an organization, such as CEOs or CFOs, who have access to significant resources and sensitive information. References: Based on the information provided by Kaspersky’s resource center on whaling attacks1.

The statement defines Information Lifecycle Management (ILM), which is a set of policies, processes, practices, and tools that manage the flow of an organization’s information throughout its life cycle. ILM is concerned with aligning the business value of information with the most appropriate and cost-effective infrastructure from the moment the information is created until its final disposition. This includes how information is created, stored, used, archived, and eventually disposed of. An effective ILM strategy helps organizations manage their data in compliance with business requirements, regulatory obligations, and cost constraints.

References: The definition and explanation of ILM align with the information provided by TechTarget1, which describes ILM as a comprehensive approach to managing an organization’s data and associated metadata. It also matches the insights from Digital Guardian2, which explains that ILM oversees data throughout its lifecycle, optimizing storage systems and lowering associated costs while dealing with security, compliance, and regulatory issues.

Anomaly-based intrusion detection systems (IDS) are particularly effective in detecting zero-day attacks because they do not rely on known signatures, which zero-day attacks would not have. Instead, they monitor network behavior for deviations from a baseline of normal activity. This approach can identify suspicious activities that could indicate a novel or unknown threat, such as a zero-day exploit12345. These systems use various methods, including machine learning and deep learning, to detect patterns that could signify an attack, making them a robust solution against the unpredictable nature of zero-day threats12345.

References: The BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles emphasizes the importance of understanding different types of controls and their characteristics, including technical security controls like IDS, which are essential for managing the security of information systems6. The syllabus also covers the effectiveness of controls, which is relevant when considering the capabilities of anomaly-based IDS in the context of zero-day attack detection7.

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks are a threat to any organization that maintains an online presence. This is because DDoS attacks are designed to overwhelm an organization’s network with traffic, rendering it inaccessible to legitimate users. While cloud service providers, financial sector organizations, and online retail companies can be attractive targets due to their high-profile nature and the critical nature of their services, the reality is that any organization with an online presence can be targeted.This includes small businesses, educational institutions, government agencies, and non-profits. The motivation behind such attacks can vary from financial gain, to disruption of service, to political statements. Therefore, it’s crucial for all organizations to implement robust security measures to mitigate the risk of DDoS attacks.

References: The BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles provides a comprehensive understanding of information security management, including the categorization, operation, and effectiveness of controls of different types and characteristics, which would encompass those necessary to defend against DDoS attacks1.

The software program described is one that obfuscates the source code, making it difficult to inspect, manipulate, or reverse engineer. This is characteristic of proprietary source software, where the source code is not openly shared or available for public viewing or modification. Proprietary software companies often obfuscate their code to protect intellectual property and prevent unauthorized use or reproduction of their software. Unlike open-source software, where the source code is available for anyone to view, modify, and distribute, proprietary software keeps its source code a secret to maintain control over the software’s functions and distribution.

References: The concept of obfuscating source code is aligned with the Information Security Management Principles under the domain of Technical Security Controls, which includes protecting intellectual property and preventing unauthorized access12345.

After data creation, the typical next step in the standard information lifecycle is data storage. This phase involves securing the data in a storage solution where it can be accessed, managed, and protected effectively. Proper data storage ensures that data remains intact and available for future processing and analysis. It is a critical step before data can be used for any operational or analytical purposes, and precedes other stages such as archiving or deletion, which occur later in the lifecycle123.

References := The BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles includes the understanding of the information lifecycle as part of its syllabus, emphasizing the importance of each stage, including data storage4. This is supported by industry practices and standards that outline the data lifecycle stages, as found in resources like the Harvard Business School Online’s insights on the data lifecycle1, and other data management guides23.

Syslog is a standard for message logging and allows devices to send event notification messages across IP networks to event message collectors - also known as Syslog servers or SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) systems. Native support for syslog is commonly found in various network devices and Unix/Linux-based systems.

• Enterprise Wireless Access Points, Linux Web Server Appliances, and Enterprise Stateful Firewalls typically have built-in capabilities to generate and send syslog messages to a SIEM system for monitoring and analysis.
• Windows Desktop Systems, on the other hand, do not natively support syslog because Windows uses its own event logging system known as Windows Event Log. While it is possible to configure Windows systems to send logs to a SIEM appliance, this usually requires additional software or agents to translate Windows Event Log messages into syslog format before they can be sent1.

References: The information provided here is based on common knowledge of system logging protocols and SIEM system capabilities, which are part of the foundational knowledge of Information Security Management Principles as outlined by BCS and supported by industry insights12.

The Acceptable Usage Policy (AUP) is the document most likely to contain directives on the security and utilization of an organization’s information and IT equipment, including email, internet, and telephony. An AUP outlines the acceptable and unacceptable behaviors for users of the organization’s IT systems and services. It typically includes rules and guidelines on the proper use of IT resources, security practices, and the consequences of non-compliance. The AUP is designed to protect both the organization and its users by mitigating risks associated with the misuse of IT resources and ensuring that the use of these resources aligns with the organization’s security policies and objectives123.

References := The BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles discusses the importance of having clear policies and procedures in place to manage information security risks, including the development and enforcement of an Acceptable Usage Policy1. This is further supported by industry best practices andguidelines on information security management, such as those provided by IT governance experts and ISO standards23.

 Arson is an act of intentionally setting fire to property for malicious reasons. It is a criminal act and is not classified as a natural disaster. Natural disasters are events that occur due to natural processes of the Earth, such as tsunamis, lightning strikes, and other weather-related events. An electromagnetic pulse can be a natural event if it is caused by solar flares or a man-made event if it is the result of a nuclear explosion. However, arson is always the result of human activity and is not caused by natural processes1.

References := The BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles provides a clear understanding of IS management issues, including risk management, security standards, legislation, and business continuity, which are relevant to identifying and classifying the nature of disasters in the context of disaster recovery planning1.

SIEM, which stands for Security Information and Event Management, is the correct acronym that covers the real-time analysis of security alerts generated by applications and network hardware. SIEM systems aggregate and analyze activity data from various resources across the IT infrastructure, such as network devices, servers, and domain controllers. They operate on rules-based and statistical correlation algorithms to establish relationships between log entries, providing reports on security-related incidents and events, and sending alerts if the analysis indicates a potential security issue. This enables organizations to gain insights into their security posture, identify trends, and detect threats or anomalies that could indicate a security incident1.

References: = The BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles acknowledges the role of SIEM in monitoring and analyzing security events in real-time as part of an effective information security framework1.

 ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) is a widely recognized framework that offers a comprehensive set of best practices for IT Service Management (ITSM). It assists organizations in aligning IT services with business goals, including security objectives. ITIL provides guidance on the entire service lifecycle, from service strategy and design to service transition, operation, and continual service improvement. By following ITIL’s structured approach, organizations can enhance the quality of IT services, manage risk effectively, improve customer satisfaction, and ensure that IT and business strategies are in sync.

References: = The BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles acknowledges ITIL as a key framework for ITSM best practices. It is aligned with other standards like ISO/IEC 20000, which reflects ITIL’s best practices within its requirements1234.

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a regulation that applies to all organizations operating within the EU and also to organizations outside of the EU that offer goods or services to, or monitor the behavior of, EU data subjects. It is designed to harmonize data privacy laws across Europe and to protect and empower all EU citizens’ data privacy. The GDPR’s relevance extends beyond geographical and sector-specific boundaries because it applies to any organization that processes the personal data of individuals within the EU, making it a global standard for data protection.

While other options like Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) have significant impacts on specific sectors or regions, GDPR’s broad scope makes it relevant to a wide range of organizations worldwide. It sets a precedent for data protection laws globally, influencing other regulations and becoming a de facto standard for many companies, even in countries without similar laws.

References := This explanation is based on the principles of Information Security Management, particularly in the domain of legal and regulatory compliance, as outlined in the BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles. The GDPR’s wide-reaching impact is also supported by various legal analyses and discussions in the field of international data protection123.

The term “Break Glass” refers to an emergency access procedure that allows users to bypass normal security controls to gain access to a system or service during a critical situation. This method is analogous to breaking the glass of a fire alarm to handle an emergency. In the context of information security management, it is a controlled process that is typically documented, monitored, and audited to ensure it is used only during genuine emergencies. It is a part of an organization’s disaster recovery and business continuity planning, ensuring that critical systems can still be accessed when standard authentication methods fail or are unavailable due to various reasons such as service outages, DDoS attacks, or loss of access by the primary administrator12.

References :=

• Microsoft Entra ID documentation on managing emergency access admin accounts3.
• StrongDM’s blog explaining the need for “Break Glass” accounts for privileged access1.
• SSH Academy’s definition of “Break Glass” access2.

 Network visualization is a powerful tool in managing information security as it can transform complex data sets into visual formats that are easier to understand and analyze. This is particularly useful in cybersecurity, where large volumes of data need to be monitored for potential security threats. Effective data visualization can provide meaningful insights into network security data, helping analysts to quickly identify patterns, anomalies, and trends that may indicate security incidents12.

While options B and C are methods of data analysis, they do not leverage the unique capabilities of visualization for rapid interpretation of security data. Option D is incorrect because the operation of visualization software does not inherently reduce malware infection risks; it’s the insights gained from visualization that can assist in proactive threat detection and management12.

References :=

• Effective Data Visualization in Cybersecurity, IEEE Conference1.
• A Survey of Visualization Systems for Network Security, IEEE Transactions2.

 Ensuring the correctness of data inputted to a system is a fundamental aspect of data integrity within information security. Integrity refers to the trustworthiness and accuracy of data throughout its lifecycle. This means that the data has not been altered in an unauthorized manner and remains consistent, accurate, and trustworthy. It is crucial for the proper functioning of any system that relies on data to make decisions or perform operations. Measures to ensure data integrity include input validation, error checking, and data verification processes that prevent incorrect data entry, unauthorized data alteration, and ensure that the data reflects its intended state.

References: This concept is covered under the BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles, which outlines integrity as one of the key facets of information security, ensuring that data remains authentic and unaltered from its original state123.

The standard that deals specifically with the implementation of business continuity is ISO 22301, which is internationally recognized. It outlines the requirements for a business continuity management system (BCMS), which provides a framework for organizations to update, control, and deploy an effective BCMS that helps them to be prepared and respond effectively to disruptions. ISO/IEC 27001 is related to information security management systems (ISMS) and while it includes aspects of business continuity, it is not solely focused on it. COBIT is a framework for developing, implementing, monitoring, and improving IT governance and management practices, and BS5750 is a standard for quality management systems, now superseded by ISO 9000 series.

References: The BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles aligns with international standards like ISO/IEC 27001 and covers a broad range of topics including business continuity, which is closely associated with ISO 223011.

 In the context of business continuity (BC), the individual tasked with documenting all relevant details during a BC exercise or actual plan activation is known as the Scribe. The Scribe’s role is crucial as they ensure that all actions, decisions, and changes are recorded accurately, which is essential for post-incident reviews and audits. This position supports the BC process by providing a clear and chronological account of events, which is vital for assessing the effectiveness of the BC plan and for making improvements.

References: The information aligns with the knowledge domains covered in the BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles, particularly under the domain of Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Management1.

The primary purpose of appending security classification labels to information is to guide the implementation of appropriate security controls. These labels indicate the level of sensitivity of the information and determine the extent and nature of the controls that need to be applied to protect it. For example, information classified as ‘Confidential’ will require stricter access controls compared to information classified as ‘Public’. The classification labels help in ensuring that information is handled and protected in accordance with its importance to the organization, and in compliance with relevant legal and regulatory requirements.

References: The BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles provides a framework for understanding the importance of information classification and the associated security controls. It outlines the need for organizations to classify their information assets as part of an effective information securitymanagement system to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the information1.

Packet sniffing is a type of network attack that can directly affect the confidentiality of an unencrypted VoIP network. In packet sniffing, an attacker captures data packets as they travel across the network. Since VoIP calls transmit voice data in the form of data packets, an unencrypted VoIP network is particularly vulnerable to this type of attack. The attacker can potentially listen to the conversations or extract sensitive information from these packets. This compromises the confidentiality principle of information security, which aims to protect information from unauthorized disclosure12.

Brute Force Attack (B) and Ransomware © are more related to the integrity and availability of systems rather than confidentiality. Vishing Attack (D) is a form of phishing which involves social engineering over telephone systems but does not directly affect the network’s confidentiality like packet sniffing does.

References :=

• Information Security Management Principles, 3rd Edition1.
• VoIP Hacking: How It Works & How to Protect Your VoIP Phone3.

 A hot site is a type of disaster recovery facility that is fully equipped and ready to take over operation at a moment’s notice. It includes HVAC, power, communications infrastructure, computing hardware, and a real-time duplication of the organization’s existing “live” data. This enables an organization to resume operations quickly after a disaster with minimal downtime. Hot sites are typically maintained at a state of readiness and can become operational almost immediately after an incident occurs. This contrasts with cold sites, which provide space and infrastructure but require installation and configuration of equipment, and warm sites, which are partially equipped with some operational resources.

References: = The information aligns with the BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles, which emphasizes the importance of disaster recovery and business continuity management, including the categorization and operation of different types of recovery sites12.

In the context of information security vulnerabilities, we are typically referring to weaknesses that can be exploited by threats to compromise the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of an information system. Options A, B, and D all represent potential vulnerabilities:

• A: Use of HTTP for an Apache web server could allow for interception of data due to lack of encryption.
• B: An unpatched Windows operating system could have known security flaws that can be exploited.
• D: An unlocked filing cabinet could lead to unauthorized physical access to sensitive documents.

Option C, however, refers to the storage of confidential data in a fire safe, which is a protective measure rather than a vulnerability. A fire safe is designed to protect physical assets from damage or destruction, particularly in the event of a fire, and does not inherently contain a weakness that could be exploited by a cyber threat. Therefore, it is not considered an information security specific vulnerability.

References: The BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles provides a framework for understanding the various aspects of information security, including the identification and mitigation of vulnerabilities. The principles outlined in the certification materials emphasize the importance of protecting information assets from a wide range of threats, which includes securing both digital systems and physical data storage12345.

Changing default system passwords is a fundamental step in securing a new web server. Default passwords are often well-known and can be easily found in public documentation or through internet searches, making systems with unchanged default passwords highly vulnerable to unauthorized access. By changing these passwords, an administrator immediately reduces the risk of simple, automated attacks that exploit default credentials.

While the other options listed are also important security measures, they are not typically the first action taken. Encrypting the hard disk (B) is a good practice for protecting data at rest, but it does not protect against unauthorized access via default passwords. Hardening applications © and patching the OS (D) are critical for reducing the attack surface and protecting against known vulnerabilities, but they are generally performed after ensuring that the system is not accessible with default passwords.

References: The BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles emphasizes the importance of initial access control measures, such aschanging default passwords, as part of establishing a secure baseline before implementing further technical controls1.

A qualitative risk assessment approach is characterized by the subjective analysis of the likelihood of a risk occurring and its potential impact. This method relies on the judgment and experience of the assessor to estimate the severity of a risk. It does not use numerical data or statistical methods, which are typical of quantitative assessments. Instead, it may use descriptors like ‘low’, ‘medium’, or ‘high’ to rate both the likelihoodof occurrence and the potential impact. This approach is useful when precise data is unavailable or when assessing complex, multifaceted risks where human insight is valuable.

References: The BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles outlines the importance of understanding the different approaches to risk assessment, including qualitative methods. It emphasizes the need for subjective analysis in certain scenarios and the role of experienced judgment in evaluating risks1.

An Information Owner is typically responsible for determining the classification of the information and for ensuring that it is handled and protected in accordance with its classification. This includes the right to assign access privileges to others, which allows theInformation Owner to control who can access the information and what level of access they have. This right is essential for maintaining the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the information, which are core principles of information security management. The Information Owner’s role is to ensure that only authorized individuals have access to the information and that they have the appropriate level of access based on their role and need to know. References: BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles1.

Developers should undergo Awareness Training to understand the security of the code they have written and how it can improve security defense while being attacked. This type of training educates developers on the importance of security considerations throughout the software development lifecycle (SDLC). It covers best practices for secure coding, common vulnerabilities and how to avoid them, and the impact of code security on the overall security posture of an application. By being aware of security principles and the potential threats, developers can write more secure code, which is crucial for defending against attacks.

References: The BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the need for information security and the methods to implement it. Specifically, it emphasizes the importance of training and awareness for all staff, including developers, as a key procedural/people security control1. Additionally, specialized training programs likethose offered by SANS Security Awareness for developers focus on building a secure culture and mitigating vulnerabilities in critical web applications, which aligns with the principles of secure coding and awareness2.

The Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is the current specification for the encryption of electronic data established by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). AES is a symmetric block cipher that can encrypt (encipher) and decrypt (decipher) information, converting data to an unintelligible form called ciphertext and back to its original form, plaintext. The AES algorithm is capable of using cryptographic keys of 128, 192, and 256 bits to encrypt and decrypt data in blocks of 128 bits. It was selected by NIST as a Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) to protect electronic data and is widely recognized and used for secure data encryption1.

References: The BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles outlines the importance of understanding various encryption algorithms, including AES, for protecting electronic data. The NIST publication on AES provides detailed information about the standard and its application1.