Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) Practice Exam

The Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) certification is a globally recognized professional credential for information security (IS) management. It validates your expertise in designing, implementing, and managing an organization's information security program.

Who should take this exam?

This certification is ideal for experienced information security professionals, typically with 5 years of experience in information security management work, who are:

• Information security managers
• Security architects
• IT security directors
• Security consultants
• Anyone seeking to advance their career in information security management

Roles and responsibilities:

CISM-certified individuals are responsible for:

• Developing and maintaining information security policies and procedures.
• Assessing and managing information security risks.
• Implementing and managing security controls.
• Incident response and recovery.
• Security awareness and training.
• Communicating security risks and strategies to business stakeholders.

Exam details:

• Format: 150 multiple-choice questions
• Duration: 4 hours
• Passing score: 75%
• Delivery: Testing center or online proctored

Course Outline

Information Security Governance (17%)

A–ENTERPRISE GOVERNANCE

1. Organizational Culture
2. Legal, Regulatory and Contractual Requirements
3. Organizational Structures, Roles and Responsibilities

B–INFORMATION SECURITY STRATEGY

1. Information Security Strategy Development
2. Information Governance Frameworks and Standards
3. Strategic Planning (e.g., Budgets, Resources, Business Case)

Information Security Risk Management (20%)

A–INFORMATION SECURITY RISK ASSESSMENT

1. Emerging Risk and Threat Landscape
2. Vulnerability and Control Deficiency Analysis
3. Risk Assessment and Analysis

B–INFORMATION SECURITY RISK RESPONSE

1. Risk Treatment / Risk Response Options
2. Risk and Control Ownership
3. Risk Monitoring and Reporting

Information Security Program (33%)

A–INFORMATION SECURITY PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

1. Information Security Program Resources (e.g., People, Tools, Technologies)
2. Information Asset Identification and Classification
3. Industry Standards and Frameworks for Information Security
4. Information Security Policies, Procedures and Guidelines
5. Information Security Program Metrics

B–INFORMATION SECURITY PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

1. Information Security Control Design and Selection
2. Information Security Control Implementation and Integrations
3. Information Security Control Testing and Evaluation
4. Information Security Awareness and Training
5. Management of External Services (e.g., Providers, Suppliers, Third Parties, Fourth Parties)
6. Information Security Program Communications and Reporting

Incident Management (30%)

A–INCIDENT MANAGEMENT READINESS

1. Incident Response Plan
2. Business Impact Analysis (BIA)
3. Business Continuity Plan (BCP)
4. Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP)
5. Incident Classification/Categorization
6. Incident Management Training, Testing and Evaluation

B–INCIDENT MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS

1. Incident Management Tools and Techniques
2. Incident Investigation and Evaluation
3. Incident Containment Methods
4. Incident Response Communications (e.g., Reporting, Notification, Escalation)
5. Incident Eradication and Recovery
6. Post-Incident Review Practices