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

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 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 concept of a security culture within an organization emphasizes that security is not solely a technical issue but also a behavioral one. Appropriate behaviors are essential because they embody the organization’s values and beliefs about security. These behaviors ensure that all members of the organization understand and adhere to security policies and procedures, thereby reducing risk and reinforcing the security regime. This includes following the ‘need to know’ principle, verifying IDs, and implementing access denial measures, but it is the appropriate behaviors that integrate these actions into a coherent and effective security culture.

References: The BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles provides a comprehensive understanding of information security management, including the importance of fostering a security culture through appropriate behaviors12.

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.

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.

 Social engineering attacks are designed to exploit human psychology and manipulate individuals into breaking normal security procedures and best practices. These attacks have the most impact on an employee’s compliance with an organization’s code of conduct because they directly target the employee’s behavior and decision-making process. By using deception, persuasion, or influence, attackers can coerce employees into divulging confidential information, providing access to restricted areas, or performing actions that go against the company’s policies and ethical standards. This form of attack can lead to violations of the code of conduct, as employees may unknowingly or unwillingly engage in activities that compromise the organization’s values and principles.

References: The explanation is supported by the information provided in resources discussing the impact of social engineering on organizational security and employee behavior12. These sources highlight the significance of understanding and mitigating social engineering threats to maintain code of conduct compliance within a company.

The main issue with qualitative risk assessments is their inherent subjectivity. Unlike quantitative assessments that use numerical data, qualitative assessments rely on the judgment and experience of the assessors to estimate risks. This can lead to inconsistencies if the criteria for ranking and categorizing risks are not clearly defined and agreed upon by all stakeholders involved in the assessment process. The subjective nature of this method can also influence the prioritization of risks, potentially affecting the decision-making process regarding which security controls to implement.

References: This explanation is consistent with the principles of Information Security Management, which highlight the importance of objectivity and clear criteria in risk assessments to ensure effective risk management. The ISACA Journal also discusses the subjective nature of qualitative risk assessments and the need for agreement on rankings1. Additionally, the qualitative versus quantitative dilemma in information security risk assessment is well-documented in academic literature2.

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 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 final stage in the information management lifecycle is often disposal. This stage involves the secure deletion or destruction of information that is no longer needed or has reached the end of its retention period. Proper disposal is crucial to prevent unauthorized access or recovery of sensitive data. It ensures compliance with data protection regulations and organizational policies regarding the retention and destruction of data.

References: The BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles highlights the importance of managing information throughout its lifecycle, including the final stage of disposal. This aligns with industry best practices and standards such as ISO/IEC 27001, which includes requirements for the secure disposal of information1. Additionally, the Information Lifecycle Management (ILM) framework also identifies disposal as a key phase, emphasizing the need for policies and procedures to manage the end-of-life of information assets1.

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.

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.

 Botnets are typically used by attackers for a variety of malicious activities, most commonly for:

• Generating and distributing spam messages: Botnets can send out large volumes of spam emails to promote products or services, or to distribute malware.
• Conducting DDoS attacks: Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks are often carried out using botnets to overwhelm a target’s servers with traffic.
• Scanning for system & application vulnerabilities: Botnets can be used to scan a large number of systems for vulnerabilities that can be exploited in further attacks.

However, vishing attacks, which involve voice phishing through phone calls, are not commonly associated with the use of botnets. Vishing typically involves direct voice communication to trick individuals into divulging sensitive information and does not leverage the distributed computing power of botnets, which is central to their usual applications such as spam distribution, DDoS attacks, and vulnerability scanning123.

References: The answer is informed by the common uses of botnets as outlined in various cybersecurity resources, including the BCS Information Security Management Principles, which emphasize the importance of understanding botnet capabilities in the context of information security management12

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.

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.

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.

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 delivery of online security training material offers several advantages over printed media. One of the key benefits is the ease of updating content. When updates are required, online materials can be edited quickly and efficiently, with changes being immediately available to all users. This contrasts with printed materials, which would require a new physical version to be produced and distributed, a process that is both time-consuming and resource-intensive1.

Furthermore, online training materials can be accessed from anywhere at any time, providing flexibility and convenience for learners. They also allow for interactive elements, such as quizzes and simulations, which can enhance the learning experience1. Additionally, online materials can be tracked for usage and completion, enabling organizations to monitor compliance with training requirements2.

While option C mentions a ‘discoverable record,’ this refers to the legal concept that materials may be used as evidence in litigation. However, this is not an advantage of online over printed media, as both can be discoverable. Option B’s claim that online materials are intrinsically more accurate is not necessarily true, as accuracy depends on the content’s quality, not the delivery method. Option D is incorrect because while online materials are protected by copyright laws, this is not an exclusive benefit over printed materials, which are also protected.

References: The explanation is based on the general principles of Information Security Management, particularly focusing on the efficiency and flexibility of online training delivery as opposed to traditional printed methods. The references are derived from the search results provided by the web search tool, which align with the known benefits of online cybersecurity training and the drawbacks of printed media12.

The ports discovered during the port scan are indicative of the services that are likely running on the device. Here’s a breakdown of what each port typically signifies:

• TCP port 22: This is commonly used for Secure Shell (SSH) which is used for secure logins, file transfers (scp, sftp) and port forwarding.
• TCP port 80: This port is used for Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), which is the foundation of data communication for the World Wide Web; essentially, it’s the standard port for web traffic.
• TCP port 443: This is used for HTTP Secure (HTTPS). It’s the protocol for secure communication over a computer network within a web browser, providing a secure version of HTTP.
• TCP port 3306: This is the default port for the MySQL database, which is often used in conjunction with web applications.
• TCP port 8080: This is an alternative to port 80 and is used for web traffic, particularly for proxy and caching.

Given this information, the most likely type of device is a Web server, as it uses these ports for web traffic, secure communication, and potentially for a database that supports web applications.

References: The information provided here is based on common networking standards and practices, which are part of the foundational knowledge of Information Security Management Principles as outlined by BCS and other information security frameworks12.

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.

An organization’s security policy should be a reflection of its own security stance and principles, not tailored to third parties. While it may be informed by third-party requirements, the policy itself should not be amended to suit all third-party contractors. This is because the security policy is meant to establish a clear set of rules and expectations for the organization’s members to maintain the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of its data. It should be defined, approved by management, and communicated to employees and relevant external parties. Amending the policy to suit all third-party contractors could lead to a dilution of the security standards and potentially compromise the organization’s security posture.

References: The information provided aligns with best practices in security policy development, which emphasize the importance of having a policy that is supported by the Board and Chief Executive, manages information assurance, and ensures compliance with legal and regulatory obligations1234.

A battle box, in the context of business continuity, is a portable container that holds items and information essential for an organization to continue critical operations during and after a disaster. This may include contact lists, key documents, backup media, and other resources necessary for decision-making and recovery efforts. The concept of a battle box aligns with the Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Management domain of Information Security Management Principles, which emphasizes the importance of preparedness and the ability to respond effectively to incidents that disrupt business operations.

References: The definition and purpose of a battle box can be found within the BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles, which provides a clear understanding of IS management issues, including business continuity and the importance of having such mechanisms in place1.

http://www.battlebox.biz/why.asp

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.

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.

 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

Misuse case diagrams are a type of diagram used in application threat modeling that includes malicious users (also known as threat actors) and describes how their potential actions could threaten the system, as well as how the system mitigates those threats. These diagrams are an adaptation of use case diagrams, which are commonly used in software engineering to specify the required usages of a system. Misuse case diagrams, on the other hand, focus on the negative scenarios, illustrating how a system can be used improperly and what measures are in place to prevent or mitigate these actions12.

References: The explanation utilizes the knowledge of misuse case diagrams as a tool in threat modeling to understand and communicate about potential security threats12.

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.