Exam CISM topic 1 question 357 discussion

The most important is (B) risk management as this is what identifies, manages, and remediates risks. (i.e. what makes the security program effective. A. Organizational culture - This influences security, but doesn't implement it. C. IT governance - ensures that the program is effective and efficient. But it doesn't align, identify or remediate things. D. Security metrics - security metrics just quantify the effectiveness.

I said C but it would be "A" when i think about it since "C" would be part of "A". Organization culture will include Governance.

If organisation does not support, they won't support proper risk management.

Option A

Culture is the main foundation. --> A

Risk management is a subset of organizational culture

I was stuck between options A and B but ended up going with A. Organizational culture because organizational culture (Option A) can be considered the foundation upon which effective risk management is built. Without a security-conscious organizational culture that values and supports security practices, risk management efforts may face challenges in gaining full organizational support and compliance. Therefore, A is the best answer here.

Risk management goal is to assess and propose treatment, however, the end acceptance is with respective business units or senior management so the culture would have a huge influence in making appropriate decisions so answer A should be more suitable here.

B. Risk management. Effective risk management is at the core of any robust information security program. It involves identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks to an organization's information assets and systems. Without a well-developed risk management process, it becomes challenging to make informed decisions about where to allocate resources, what security controls to implement, and how to respond to security incidents.

The CISM Review Manual, 27th Edition, on page 27, states that "The influence of organizational culture on the information security governance framework is significant. An organization's culture influences the behavior of its employees. This, in turn, has an effect on the security of information within the organization. A security-aware culture reduces the likelihood of incidents occurring and increases the likelihood of incidents being reported and dealt with appropriately when they do occur."

A is most important in effectivness.

From policy compliance to user acceptance, intentional threats to accidental errors, human factor is both a major risk and the greatest strength in information security. Therefore, organizational culture which is a product of shared beliefs, assumptions and behaviors of people, is easily the most influential factor for the success of an information security program.

B. Risk management

Risk management is at the core of an effective information security program. It involves identifying, assessing, and prioritizing risks to the organization's information assets. By understanding the risks, organizations can make informed decisions on allocating resources, implementing controls, and prioritizing security initiatives. Risk management ensures that security efforts are focused on addressing the most significant and relevant risks, leading to a more effective security program overall.