BCS CISMP-V9 BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles V9.0 Exam Practice Test

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.

 The effectiveness of a security awareness program can be measured through various methods that assess both the knowledge and behavior of employees regarding security practices.

• Online multiple choice exam on security principles: This method evaluates the employees’ understanding of the security principles they have been taught. It’s a direct measure of their knowledge and retention.
• Testing with social engineering techniques by an approved penetration tester: This practical approach tests employees’ reactions to real-life security threats, such as phishing or pretexting, which can indicate the effectiveness of the training in changing behavior.
• Open source intelligence gathering on staff social media profiles: This method can reveal whether employees are adhering to security policies by not disclosing sensitive information publicly.

Option 3 is not a direct measure of a security awareness program’s effectiveness, as practicing ethical hacking techniques is more about skills development rather than assessing awareness. Option 4, while important, does not directly measure the effectiveness of the security awareness program but rather the overall security posture of the organization.

References: These answers are based on the principles outlined in the BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles, which covers the domains of knowledge necessary to understand and manage information security risks effectively.

 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 reporting of security incidents involving personal data is distinct from other types of incidents primarily due to the legal obligations imposed by data protection legislation. Such laws typically mandate that organizations report certain types of breaches involving personal data to a Supervisory Authority within a specified timeframe. This requirement is in place to ensure prompt and appropriate response to potential privacy risks affecting individuals’ rights and freedoms. Failure to comply can result in significant penalties for the organization. The reporting process also often includes notifying affected individuals, especially if there is a high risk of adverse effects on their rights and freedoms12.

References :=

• The UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 outline the duty of organizations to report certain personal data breaches to the relevant supervisory authority, such as the ICO, within 72 hours of becoming aware of the breach1.
• The ICO’s guide on personal data breaches provides detailed instructions on how to recognize a breach, the reporting process, and the importance of having robust breach detection, investigation, and internal reporting procedures12.

Dumpster diving refers to the practice of sifting through commercial or residential waste to find items that have been discarded but can still be of value, particularly information. In the context of information security, dumpster diving is a significant threat because it can lead to the recovery of sensitive documents, storage devices, or other materials that contain confidential data. When disposing of such items, it’s crucial to ensure they are destroyed or sanitized in a manner that prevents data reconstruction or retrieval. This aligns with the BCS Information Security Management Principles, which emphasize the importance of secure disposal methods to protect against unauthorized access to or recovery of sensitive information1234.

References: The BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles outlines the need for proper disposal procedures to mitigate the risks associated with data recovery from discarded materials1. Additionally, industry best practices and guidelines, such as those from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), provide detailed methods for the secure sanitization and disposal of electronic media4.

Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) is an attack that exploits the trust relationship between a user’s browser and a server-based website. In a CSRF attack, the attacker tricks the authenticated user’s browser into sending a request to a third-party site, which the browser is already authenticated with, without the user’s knowledge or consent. This can lead to unauthorized actions being performed on the user’s behalf, such as changing user settings, posting content, or even initiating financial transactions. The attack leverages the fact that the browser automatically includes credentials like cookies, session tokens, or other authentication information with each request to a site123.

References :=

• Reflectoring’s "Complete Guide to CSRF/XSRF (Cross-Site Request Forgery)"1.
• OWASP Foundation’s “Anti CSRF Tokens ASP.NET” article2.
• Threat Intelligence’s blog on "Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) - What Is It, How to Prevent It"3.

Loading bays are areas of a facility where goods are loaded and unloaded, which can be busy and potentially hazardous. They are considered vulnerable points for security breaches due to the high volume of goods movement and external access. Using them as staff entrances increases the risk of unauthorized access and potential security incidents. By restricting access to loading bays and directing staff to use dedicated entrances, an organization can better control entry points, monitor traffic, and maintain security protocols. This principle is part of the Physical and Environmental Security Controls domain, which emphasizes the importance of securing physical access to protect information assets1.

References: The BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles provides guidance on the importance of physical security controls in protecting information assets and suggests that access to different areas within a facility should be controlled and managed appropriately2.

Static verification refers to the set of processes that analyze code without executing it to ensure that defined coding practices are being followed. This method involves reviewing the code to detect errors, enforce coding standards, and identify security vulnerabilities. It is a crucial part of the software development lifecycle and helps maintain code quality and reliability. Static verification can be performed manually through code reviews or automatically using static analysis tools.

References: The BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles includes the understanding of technical security controls, which encompasses static verification as a means to ensure the integrity and security of software code1.

The key principle a digital forensics investigator must adhere to is ensuring competence and the ability to justify their actions. This is crucial because the integrity of the investigation and the evidence must be maintained. Competence ensures that the investigator has the necessary skills and knowledge to handle and analyze the data correctly. Being able to justify their actions is important for the legal process, as every step of the investigation may be scrutinized in court. This principle aligns with the Information Security Management Principles, which emphasize the importance of procedural/people security controls and technical security controls to maintain the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information. References: BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles1.

 In the context of information security, risk is typically calculated as the product of likelihood and impact. This formula encapsulates the probability of a vulnerability being exploited (likelihood) and the potential damage or loss that could result from such an event (impact). The goal is to quantify the level of risk in order to prioritize mitigation efforts effectively. Options B, C, and D do not represent standard risk calculation formulas in information security management.

References: The BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles outlines the importance of understanding risk management within the domain of information security. It emphasizes the need for calculating risks to inform security controls and decision-making processes1. Additionally, ISO 27001, a leading international standard for information security management systems, also supports the formula of Risk = Likelihood * Impact as part of its risk assessment and treatment methodology2.

SMS technology was originally designed for casual, low-security communication. It lacks the robust security features required for transmitting sensitive information, such as one-time payment codes. The protocol does not encrypt messages, leaving them vulnerable to interception during transmission. Furthermore, the widespread adoption of SMS for various services has made it an attractive target for attackers, leading to exploitation through methods like SIM swapping, phishing, and other forms of abuse12.

References: The explanation is based on the general knowledge of SMS technology’s limitations and security vulnerabilities, as well as information from sources discussing SMS attacks and mitigation strategies12.

The AAA service, which stands for Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting, is essential for managing user access to network resources. When it comes to providing AAA services for both wireless and remote access network services in a non-proprietarymanner, RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service) is the most suitable technology.

RADIUS is an open standard protocol widely used for network access authentication and accounting. It is supported by a variety of network vendors and devices, making it a non-proprietary solution that can be easily integrated into different network environments. RADIUS provides a centralized way to authenticate users, authorize their access levels, and keep track of their activity on the network1.

• TACACS+ is a Cisco proprietary protocol and therefore does not meet the requirement of avoiding proprietary solutions.
• OAuth is a framework for authorization and is not typically used for network access control in the same way that RADIUS is.
• MS Access Database is not a network authentication protocol and would not provide the necessary AAA services for network security.

References: The information provided here is based on the principles of AAA services as outlined in the BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles and supported by industry-standard practices for non-proprietary network security solutions.

RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman) is a widely accepted asymmetric encryption algorithm. Unlike symmetric algorithms, which use the same key for both encryption and decryption, asymmetric algorithms use a pair of keys – a public key for encryption and a private key for decryption. This method allows for secure key exchange over an insecure channel without the need to share the private key. RSA operates on the principle that it is easy to multiply large prime numbers together to create a product, but it is hard to reverse the process, i.e., to factorize the product back into the original primes. This one-way function underpins the security of RSA.

References: The information provided is based on standard cryptographic principles as outlined in resources like BCS Information Security Management Principles and other cryptography texts12345.

Access controls are essential in information security for ensuring that resources are available to authorized users and protected from unauthorized access. The methods of access control can be categorized as follows:

• Detective: These controls are designed to identify and record unauthorized access attempts. They do not prevent access but are useful for auditing and monitoring purposes.
• Physical: Physical controls are tangible measures taken to protect assets, such as locks, fences, and security guards.
• Preventive: Preventive controls are designed to stop unauthorized access before it happens. This includes mechanisms like passwords, biometric scans, and encryption.

The combination of detective, physical, and preventive controls provides a robust framework for managing access to sensitive information and systems. Reactive controls are not typically classified as access controls since they deal with responding to incidents after they occur, and virtual controls are not a recognized category in this context.

References: The answer is based on the principles outlined in the BCS Information Security Management Principles, which include various access control methods to protect information integrity, confidentiality, and availability123.

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.

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.

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a security framework that impacts organizations involved with credit card transactions. It sets the requirements for ensuring the security of cardholder data, which is crucial for businesses that accept credit cards, process credit card transactions, store cardholder data, or transmit it. PCI DSS compliance is mandatory for these entities to help prevent credit card fraud, hacking, and various other security vulnerabilities. The standard requires organizations to maintain a secure network, protect cardholder data, manage vulnerabilities, implement strong access control measures, regularly monitor and test networks, and maintain an information security policy.

References: The importance of PCI DSS in the context of Information Security Management Principles is highlighted by its role in protecting payment-related data and ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of financial transactions. It aligns with the domains of Technical Security Controls and Physical and Environmental Security Controls, as it encompasses both digital and physical aspects of data protection123.

The AAA Triad in Information Security stands for Authentication, Authorization (also known as Authorisation), and Accounting. These three components are fundamental to ensuring that access to systems is controlled and monitored:

• Authentication is the process of verifying the identity of a user or entity. It ensures that individuals are who they claim to be. This can involve methods such as passwords, biometrics, or tokens.
• Authorization determines what an authenticated user is allowed to do. It involves granting or denying rights to access resources and perform actions within a system based on the user’s identity.
• Accounting keeps track of user activities. This includes logging when users log in and out, what actions they perform, and what resources they access. It’s essential for auditing purposes and can also be used for billing or analyzing resource usage.

These principles are designed to protect information by managing potential risks and controlling access to data. They are part of a broader framework that includes physical, technical, and procedural controls to safeguard information assets.

References := The explanation provided is based on standard definitions and practices within the field of Information Security Management, as outlined in resources like the BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles and corroborated by industry sources1234.

 When outsourcing data processing, the original data owner has a legal duty of care to ensure that the third party is competent to process the data securely (1) and observes the same high standards as the data owner (2). This means that the third party must have the necessary skills, knowledge, and security measures in place to protect the data,and they must adhere to the same level of data protection and privacy standards as the original owner. Processing the data wherever it can be transferred (3) and archiving the data for the third party’s own long-term usage (4) are not primary legal considerations and may, in fact, contravene data protection laws if done without proper safeguards and compliance with regulations.

References: The duty of care in the context of data protection is a critical aspect of GDPR and other privacy regulations, which emphasize the responsibility of data controllers to ensure that any third-party processors they use comply with the same data protection standards1. Additionally, the principles of due care and due diligence in cybersecurity highlight the importance of selecting competent third-party service providers and ensuring they maintain high standards of data protection2.

Contracting third parties to meet specific security standards is prudent because vulnerabilities within their networks can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to a client’s environment. Third-party vendors often have access to an organization’s sensitive data and systems, which can become a potential entry point for cyber attackers. By ensuring that third parties adhere to stringent security standards, an organization can better protect itself against the risk of data breaches and cyber attacks that may originate from less secure third-party networks. This proactive approach to third-party security helps maintain the integrity and confidentiality of the organization’s data and systems.

References: The BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles highlights the importance of managing information risk and implementing an effective information security framework, which includes managing third-party risks1. Additionally, industry best practices and guidelines, such as those from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), emphasize the need for organizations to assess and manage the security risks associated with third-party service providers2.

which appears to be a typographical error for ISO 15489. ISO 15489 is the international standard that deals with the management of records, including their retention. It provides a framework for creating, capturing, and managing records of any format or structure, in all types of business and technological environments, over time. This standard emphasizes the importance of records management for organizational efficiency and accountability, and it outlines the principles and practices to ensure that records are properly maintained and retained according to legal, regulatory, and operational requirements12.

References :=

• ISO 15489-1:2016 Information and documentation — Records management — Part 1: Concepts and principles1.
• ISO committee website for ISO 15489 Records management2.

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.

Digital signatures are a form of electronic signature that uses cryptographic techniques to provide secure and verifiable means of signing electronic documents. They are widely recognized and accepted as legally binding in many jurisdictions around the world. The enforceability of digital signatures is backed by various laws and regulations that recognize electronic signatures as equivalent to handwritten signatures, provided they meet certain criteria for authenticity and integrity. For instance, in the United States, the ESIGN Act establishes the legal validity of electronic signatures, including digital signatures1. Similarly, the eIDAS regulation in the European Union provides a legal framework for electronic signatures and trust services, including digital signatures2.

References := The BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles addresses the legal aspects of information security, including the enforceability of digital signatures. It aligns with international standards and practices that affirm the legal validity of digital signatures, as reflected in documents such as the ESIGN Act and the eIDAS regulation34.

SABSA (Sherwood Applied Business Security Architecture) is a framework and methodology specifically designed for Enterprise Security Architecture and Service Management. It provides a layered approach to security architecture, ensuring that security is aligned with business goals and is driven by risk management principles. SABSA’s methodology integrates with business and IT management processes, focusing on the design, delivery, and support of security services within the enterprise environment1.

TOGAF (The Open Group Architecture Framework) is also used in the context of enterprise architecture but is not solely focused on security. It provides a comprehensive approach to the design, planning, implementation, and governance of an enterprise information architecture2.

PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) is a set of security standards designed to ensure that all companies that accept, process, store, or transmit credit card information maintain a secure environment2.

OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project) is an online community that produces freely-available articles, methodologies, documentation, tools, and technologies in the field of web application security2.

References: The information provided here is based on the BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles and the knowledge of current frameworks and methodologies relevant to enterprise security architecture and service management34.

 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.

Static testing is a method where the code is analyzed without being executed. It involves reviewing the code, documentation, and other related artifacts to identify errors at an early stage. Static testing can detect potential issues like syntax errors, variable misuse, and security vulnerabilities. This type of testing is crucial because it helps to find errors before the code is run, which can save time and resources in the development process. It’s typically done through various techniques such as code reviews, walkthroughs, and the use of static analysis tools12.

References :=

• Understanding of static testing and its importance in the software development lifecycle is well-documented in the literature, including the BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles1.
• Further details on static testing methodologies and their application can be found in industry-specific guidelines and best practices2.

Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) are legal contracts that are designed to protect sensitive information. They are a critical part of an employee’s contract of employment to ensure that confidential data is not released to unauthorized third parties. NDAs are specifically intended to prevent the disclosure of confidential information both during the period of employment and after the employee has left the organization. This is essential for maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of proprietary information which could include trade secrets, client data, and other types of sensitive information.

References: The BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles outlines the importance of legal and contractual mechanisms, such as NDAs, in protecting information security within an organization1. Additionally, the syllabus for the certification provides a framework for understanding how different types of controls, including legal ones like NDAs, contribute to the overall security posture of an organization2.

The term ‘computer misuse’ typically refers to activities that are illegal or unauthorized and involve a computer system. This includes illegal interception of information, illegal access to computer systems, and downloading of pirated software, as these actions are unauthorized and often involve breaching security measures. However, the illegal retention of personal data, while a serious privacy concern and potentially a legal issue, is not typically classified under the scope of ‘computer misuse’. Instead, it falls under data protection and privacy regulations, which deal with the proper handling and storage of personal information.

References: The BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles discusses various forms of computer misuse within the context of informationsecurity management, emphasizing the importance of understanding and complying with legal requirements related to information security1.

A zero-day vulnerability refers to a security flaw that is unknown to the parties responsible for patching or fixing the flaw. The term “zero-day” relates to the number of days the software vendor has known about the problem, which in this case is zero, indicating that they have had no time to address and patch the vulnerability. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because there are no existing defenses against it, making systems susceptible to zero-day attacks where attackers exploit the vulnerability before it can be mitigated.

In the context of Information Security Management, understanding and addressing zero-day vulnerabilities is crucial as they pose significant risks. Organizations must have proactive security measures and incident response plans to detect and respond to such vulnerabilities swiftly. This includes having a robust security framework, regular security assessments, and a culture of security awareness to minimize the risk of such vulnerabilities being exploited.

References := The explanation aligns with the principles of Information Security Management, particularly in the domains of Information Risk and Technical Security Controls, as outlined in the BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles and supported by industry literature on zero-day vulnerabilities123.

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.