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

Regular rotation of staff monitoring critical CCTV systems is recommended primarily to address the limitations of the human attention span. Research suggests that the average human attention span during intense monitoring tasks is approximately 20 minutes. After this period, vigilance and alertness can significantly decrease, leading to a potential lapse in monitoring effectiveness. Rotating staff helps to ensure that individuals are always at their most attentive when observing the CCTV feeds, which is crucial for maintaining security and safety standards. This practice also helps to mitigate risks associated with fatigue and the potential for missing critical events or details.

References: = The BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles emphasizes the importance of procedural/people security controls, which includes the management of human factors in security monitoring. The principles suggest that understanding human behavior and limitations is key to designing effective security systems and protocols12.

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.

 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.

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.

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.

The field of Information Security is dynamic and evolves rapidly, with new threats and technologies emerging regularly. Continual Professional Development (CPD) is crucial in this sphere to ensure that professionals stay up-to-date with the latest security trends, practices, and technologies. CPD enables information security professionals to maintain and enhance their knowledge and skills, which is vital for effectively protecting organizations against the ever-changing threat landscape. This ongoing learning process is not just about retaining credibility or meeting the requirements of professional bodies; it’s about ensuring that professionals can respond to new challenges and remain effective in their roles.

References: The BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles emphasizes the importance of CPD, stating that information security management is a critical discipline in modern business that requires practitioners to continually develop their understanding and stay current with industry standards, frameworks, and best practices12.

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.

The British Standards Institution (BSI) is known for producing standards that cover good practices in various domains, including information assurance. BSI is the UK’s national standards body and a founding member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). It contributes to the development of international standards through ISO, which provides frameworks and best practices for information security management systems (ISMS), such as the ISO/IEC 27000 series. These standards are designed to help organizations manage the security of assets such as financial information, intellectual property, employee details, and information entrusted by third parties.

References: The BSI’s role in developing international standards for information assurance is supported by its status as the UK’s national standards body and its contributions to ISO, which can be verified through ISO’s official website and related documentation12.

The access control method described is Role-Based Access Control (RBAC). In RBAC, access permissions are based on the roles within an organization, and users are assigned to these roles based on their responsibilities and qualifications. Each role has a defined set of access permissions to perform certain operations. This method simplifies management and ensures that only authorized users can perform actions relevant to their role. For instance, ‘Developers’ can create and update files, ‘Reviewers’ can upload and update files, and ‘Administrators’ have the rights to upload, delete, and update files. This aligns with the RBAC model where permissions are grouped by role rather than by individual user, making it easier to manage and audit.

References: The BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles provides a framework for understanding the principles of information security management, including access control mechanisms like RBAC12.

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.

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.

In a virtualized cloud environment, the hypervisor, also known as the virtual machine monitor (VMM), is the software, firmware, or hardware that creates and runs virtual machines. It is responsible for managing the system’s hardware resources so they are distributed efficiently among multiple virtual environments. The hypervisor provides the secure separation between guest machines by ensuring that each guest machine operates independently and is unaware of the other guests’ existence. This isolation prevents one guest from accessing or interfering with another guest’s resources, which is crucial for maintaining security in a multi-tenant environment where multiple virtual machines are hosted on a single physical server.

References: = The BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles provides a comprehensive understanding of information security management, including the role of the hypervisor in ensuring secure separation between guest machines in a virtualized environment12.

Defence in depth is a security concept that involves implementing multiple layers of security controls throughout an information system. The idea is that if one control fails or a vulnerability is exploited, other controls will provide redundancy and continue to protect the system. This approach is analogous to a physical fortress with multiple walls; if an attacker breaches one wall, additional barriers exist to stop them from progressing further. In the context of information security, this could include a combination of firewalls, intrusion detection systems, antivirus software, and strict access controls, among others. Defence in depth is designed to address security vulnerabilities not only in technology but also in processes and people, acknowledging that human error or negligence can often lead to security breaches.

References: The concept of defence in depth aligns with the Information Security Management Principles as outlined by BCS, particularly under the domains of Technical Security Controls and Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Management. It is alsosupported by various industry sources that describe defence in depth as a strategy that leverages multiple security measures to protect an organization’s assets12345.

 Online retailers are the most at risk for the theft of electronic-based credit card data due to the nature of their business, which involves processing a large volume of transactions over the internet. This exposes them to various cyber threats, including hacking, phishing, and other forms of cyber-attacks that can compromise credit card information. Traditional market traders, mail delivery businesses, and agricultural producers typically do not handle credit card transactions to the same extent or in the same electronic manner as online retailers, making them less likely targets for this specific type of data theft.

The principles of Information Security Management emphasize the importance of protecting sensitive data, such as credit card information, through technical security controls and risk management practices. Online retailers must implement robust security measures, including encryption, secure payment gateways, and regular security audits, to mitigate the risks associated with electronic transactions12.

References :=

• BCS Information Security Management Principles, particularly the sections on Technical Security Controls and Information Risk, provide guidance on protecting electronic data and managing the associated risks1.
• Additional insights can be found in the Information Security Management Principles, 3rd Edition by Andy Taylor, David Alexander, Amanda Finch, David Sutton2.

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.

In the context of cloud delivery models, the term “trusted” typically refers to the level of security control and assurance that clients can expect. Among the options provided, the Public cloud delivery model is generally considered to be the least “trusted” in terms of security by clients using the service. This is because public clouds are shared environments where the infrastructure and services are owned and operated by a third-party provider and shared among multiple tenants. The multi-tenant nature of public clouds can introduce risks such as data breaches or other security incidents that might not be as prevalent in more controlled environments.

In contrast, Private clouds are dedicated to a single organization, providing more control over data, security, and compliance. Hybrid clouds combine both public and private elements, offering a balance of control and flexibility. Community clouds are shared between organizations with common goals and compliance requirements, offering a level of trust tailored to the group’s needs.

Therefore, while all cloud models come with their own security considerations and potential risks, the public cloud model is typically the one where clients have to place more trust in the provider’s security measures, as they have less control over the environment.

References: The information provided here is based on common cloud computing frameworks and security considerations, which are part of the foundational knowledge of Information Security Management Principles as outlined by BCS and supported by industry insights12.

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.

The deployment of end-to-end Internet of Things (IoT) solutions significantly increases the attack surface compared to traditional IT systems. This is due to the vast number of connected devices, each potentially introducing new vulnerabilities. The heterogeneity of these devices, often with varying levels of security, can lead to more entry points for cyberattacks. Additionally, the complexity of managing and securing these numerous devices, especially when they use different communication protocols and standards, exacerbates the risk. Therefore, the expansion of the attack surface is considered the greatest risk because it amplifies the potential for unauthorized access and compromises the integrity, availability, and confidentiality of information systems.

References: = This concept is supported by the BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles, which emphasizes the importance of understanding the risks associated with the security of information systems, particularly in the context of emerging technologies like IoT1. Further, industry research and reports highlight the challenges and risks posed by the expanding IoT attack surface23.

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 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.

Appointing a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is the most effective action at the board level to improve the security culture within an organization using a top-downapproach. The CISO plays a critical role in establishing and maintaining the enterprise vision, strategy, and program to ensure information assets and technologies are adequately protected. The CISO is responsible for leading the development and implementation of a security program across all aspects of the organization, which includes aligning security initiatives with business objectives, managing risk, and ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations. This strategic role not only helps in creating a robust security posture but also promotes a culture of security awareness throughout the organization. By having a dedicated executive responsible for security, it sends a clear message that the organization prioritizes information security and is committed to protecting its assets and stakeholders.

References: = The BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles emphasizes the importance of leadership and governance in the context of information security management, which includes the appointment of key roles such as the CISO1. Additionally, industry best practices and guidelines often recommend the appointment of a CISO as a critical step in fostering a strong security culture from the top down23.

Security controls are measures taken to safeguard an information system from attacks or to mitigate the impact of a breach. They are commonly classified into three main categories: preventive, detective, and corrective. Preventive controls aim to prevent incidents before they occur, detective controls are designed to discover and detect security events, and corrective controls are intended to restore systems to normal operation after an incident. The term “nominative” is not recognized as a standard classification of security controls within the principles of information security management. Instead, the accepted classifications align with the objectives of protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information. References: The BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles outlines the categorization, operation, and effectiveness of controls of different types and characteristics, which does not include “nominative” as a classification1.

 A penetration test, unlike a vulnerability scan, is an in-depth process where security professionals actively attempt to exploit vulnerabilities in a system. The goal is to simulate a real-world attack to understand how an attacker could exploit vulnerabilities and to determine the potential impact. This involves not just identifying vulnerabilities, as a scan does, but also attempting to exploit them to understand the full extent of the risk. Penetration tests are typically manual or semi-automated and involve a variety of tools and techniques to uncover and exploit security weaknesses, which can include common tools like Nmap, Nessus, and Metasploit.

References: The distinction between penetration testing and vulnerability scanning is well-documented in cybersecurity literature and aligns with industry best practices. Penetration testing is a critical component of an organization’s security strategy, providing a realistic assessment of security defenses12

 The global pandemic has accelerated the trend of remote work, which inherently increases the risk of information security breaches due to insecure premises (A) and the need for additional tools like VPNs ©. There’s also a higher likelihood of attackers exploiting vulnerabilities during such operational changes (D). However, the need for additional physical security at data centres and corporate headquarters (B) is less likely to be a direct result of a pandemic since the focus shifts to remote work and digital security rather than physical premises that are less occupied.

References: The BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles provides a comprehensive understanding of IS management issues, including risk management, security standards, legislation, and business continuity1. It emphasizes the importance of adapting security measures to current business and technical environments, which would include the shift to remote work during a pandemic

Mobile Device Management (MDM) is the most beneficial technology for ensuring consistent security settings across an organization’s devices, especially in a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) or mobile computing environment. MDM allows for the central management of security policies,the enforcement of strong authentication measures, and the protection of corporate data on personal devices. It provides the necessary tools to configure devices remotely, enforce security policies, manage applications, and protect against unauthorized access. This aligns with the Information Security Management Principles, particularly under the domains of Technical Security Controls and Procedural/People Security Controls, as it encompasses both the technology and the policies that govern its use by people within the organization123. References: The BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles outlines the importance of understanding the concepts relating to information security management, which includes the knowledge of controls and characteristics that are essential for managing the security of information systems4. Additionally, the benefits of MDM in securing mobile and BYOD environments are well-documented, further supporting its selection as the most appropriate technology for Geoff’s requirements123.

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.

The ISO/IEC 27000 series, particularly ISO/IEC 27001, provides a framework for information security management systems (ISMS) that helps organizations secure their information assets. This series covers various aspects of information security, including the protection of organizational records and data protection & privacy, which are legal compliance requirements in many jurisdictions. Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) are also considered within the scope of information security as they pertain to the protection of proprietary information and assets. Forensic recovery of data and data deduplication are technical and operational considerations but are not directly addressed as compliance legal requirements within the ISO/IEC 27000 series.

References: The ISO/IEC 27001:2022 standard outlines the requirements for an ISMS, including the need to address legal, physical, and technical controls to protect information assets12. The Advisera guide on ISO 27001 further explains the standard’s requirements for documented information, which would include organizational records and policies related to data protection and privacy3.

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.