IT Security / Compliance Analyst

If the sensitive electronic work papers are not encrypted, it means that they are not protected from unauthorized access. This could compromise the confidentiality of the work papers, as anyone with access to the system or the files could potentially view or manipulate the information contained in the work papers. Encryption is an important security measure to ensure that sensitive data remains confidential and protected from unauthorized disclosure or tampering.

During a power outage, an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is designed to provide temporary power to critical systems until a backup generator can be activated. The UPS serves as a bridge between the loss of electrical service and the activation of the backup generator. Therefore, the correct answer is "The backup generator activates."

The domain password policy is the best option to ensure that users have complex passwords. This policy allows administrators to set specific requirements for passwords, such as minimum length, use of special characters, and regular password changes. By implementing a strong password policy at the domain level, users are prompted and required to create passwords that meet these criteria, making it more difficult for hackers to guess or crack passwords. This helps to enhance the overall security of the system and protect user accounts from unauthorized access.

By digitally signing all e-mail messages, an organization can ensure that the recipients can authenticate the identity of the sender. Digital signatures use encryption technology to verify the integrity and authenticity of the message. The sender's digital signature is unique to them and can only be generated with their private key. When the recipient receives the digitally signed message, they can use the sender's public key to verify the signature and confirm that the message has not been tampered with and indeed originated from the claimed sender. This provides a level of trust and assurance in the authenticity of the e-mail.

The correct answer is the network servers are clustered in a site. Clustering the network servers in a single site increases the risk of a single point of failure. If the site experiences a power outage, natural disaster, or any other event that disrupts the network servers, the entire network could go down. To ensure high availability, it is recommended to have geographically dispersed servers to minimize the impact of such incidents.

SSL encryption is a security protocol that encrypts the data transmitted between a web server and a web browser, ensuring that the information remains confidential and cannot be intercepted by unauthorized parties. By using SSL encryption, the HR department can protect the confidentiality of the data when employees enroll in benefits through the web site on the corporate Intranet. This encryption technology prevents hackers or eavesdroppers from accessing and understanding the sensitive information being transmitted.

Disk mirroring is a disk fault tolerance mechanism that involves two disks and a single controller. In this mechanism, the data is simultaneously written to both disks, creating an exact copy or mirror of the data. This redundancy ensures that if one disk fails, the other disk can take over seamlessly, providing continuous access to the data. Disk mirroring is a simple and effective way to protect against disk failures and ensure high availability of data.

Fiber-optic cabling provides the best protection from interference in the given scenario. Unlike STP (shielded twisted pair), UTP (unshielded twisted pair), and coaxial cables, fiber-optic cables use light to transmit data instead of electrical signals. This means that they are not susceptible to electromagnetic interference (EMI) or radio frequency interference (RFI) caused by the furnace and heavy machinery in the boiler room. Fiber-optic cables also have a higher bandwidth and can transmit data over longer distances without loss of signal quality.

Implementing Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) 2 would best secure a wireless network from unauthorized access. WPA2 is a security protocol that provides stronger encryption and authentication methods compared to WEP. It uses Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption, which is more secure than the encryption used in WEP. Additionally, WPA2 supports the use of a Pre-Shared Key (PSK) or a more secure authentication method called 802.1X, which requires individual user authentication. By implementing WPA2, the wireless network is better protected against unauthorized access and potential security breaches.

This action allows IT management to continue using the scripts for continuous monitoring purposes, which is important for effective risk management and control. However, it also addresses the conflict related to auditor independence and objectivity by shifting the responsibility of testing and maintaining the scripts to IT management. This ensures that the internal audit team remains independent and objective in their assessment of the organization's controls.

A firewall determines what traffic is allowed through it based on a rule base. A rule base is a set of predefined rules or policies that dictate how the firewall should handle incoming and outgoing network traffic. These rules can specify criteria such as source and destination IP addresses, port numbers, protocols, and actions to be taken (allow, block, or log). The firewall evaluates each incoming or outgoing packet against these rules and makes decisions on whether to allow or deny the traffic based on the defined criteria.

Time of day restriction would be the best solution to prevent night shift workers from logging in with IDs and passwords stolen from day shift workers. By implementing time of day restrictions, the system can be configured to only allow access during specific hours that correspond to the night shift. This would prevent unauthorized access during other times of the day, effectively mitigating the risk of stolen credentials being used during the night shift.

A honey pot should be implemented in this scenario to collect information on the attacker(s) and enable legal action. A honey pot is a decoy system designed to attract and trap potential attackers. It appears to be a legitimate target but is actually isolated from the main network, allowing the network administrator to monitor and gather information on the attackers' activities without risking the security of the actual system. This information can then be used as evidence for legal action against the attackers.

The most significant audit finding when reviewing a point-of-sale (POS) system would be that customer credit card information is stored encrypted on the local POS system. This finding is significant because it indicates that the system is taking appropriate measures to protect sensitive customer data, ensuring privacy and security. Storing credit card information in an encrypted format helps prevent unauthorized access and reduces the risk of data breaches or identity theft. It demonstrates that the system is compliant with industry standards and best practices for handling sensitive information.

An IS auditor should recommend placing a network intrusion detection system (IDS) between the firewall and the organization's network. This is because the IDS is designed to detect and monitor network traffic for any suspicious or malicious activity that the firewall may not be able to recognize. By placing the IDS in this location, it can analyze the incoming and outgoing traffic and alert the organization of any potential attack attempts that the firewall may have missed. This helps to enhance the overall security of the network and protect against unrecognized threats.

E-mail delivery would be possible because TCP ports 25 and 110 are commonly used for SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) and POP3 (Post Office Protocol) respectively, which are protocols used for sending and receiving e-mails. The firewall allows traffic on these specific ports, so e-mails can be sent and received through the allowed protocols. However, other activities such as file transfers via FTP, newsgroup access, and internet browsing would not be possible as they require different protocols and ports that are not permitted by the firewall configuration.

To transfer traffic between two VLANs, a router is required. A router is responsible for routing packets between different networks, including VLANs. It can determine the destination of the packets based on their IP addresses and forward them accordingly. A firewall is used for network security purposes and does not play a direct role in transferring traffic between VLANs. A switch is used to connect devices within a VLAN, but it does not facilitate traffic transfer between different VLANs. A gateway is a network node that connects two different networks, but it is not specifically required for transferring traffic between VLANs.

The fully qualified domain name (FQDN) of the hosts cannot be used to define VLAN membership. VLAN membership is typically determined based on the ports on a network switch, the MAC addresses of the hosts, or the network protocol used by the hosts. The FQDN is a domain name that specifies the exact location of a host in the DNS hierarchy and is used for domain name resolution, but it is not directly related to VLAN membership.

Inadequate programming and coding practices can lead to buffer overflow exploitation. This occurs when a program or system does not properly check the size of input data, allowing an attacker to overflow a buffer and overwrite adjacent memory. This can result in the execution of malicious code, unauthorized access to sensitive information, or system crashes. It is important to follow secure coding practices and validate input data to prevent buffer overflow vulnerabilities.

Network security is a continuous process that constantly adapts and evolves to keep up with the ever-changing landscape of threats and vulnerabilities. It involves implementing and updating various measures such as firewalls, encryption, access controls, and intrusion detection systems to protect networks from unauthorized access, data breaches, and other security risks. This ongoing evolution is necessary to stay ahead of new and emerging threats and to ensure that network security measures remain effective in mitigating risks.

If a firewall is configured to block egress traffic on TCP ports 80, it means that any outgoing traffic on port 80, which is used for HTTP communication, will be blocked. This would affect the Outbound HTTP traffic, as any requests or data being sent from the local network to external servers using HTTP would not be able to pass through the firewall. However, it would not affect the Inbound HTTP traffic, Inbound HTTPS traffic, or Outbound HTTPS traffic, as these use different ports (80 for HTTP and 443 for HTTPS) which are not being blocked by the firewall in this scenario.

An IS auditor would consider a system downtime log to be the most helpful when evaluating the effectiveness and adequacy of a computer preventive maintenance program. This log provides information on the frequency and duration of system downtime, which can indicate the reliability and efficiency of the preventive maintenance program. By analyzing the downtime log, the auditor can assess if the program is effectively preventing system failures and minimizing disruptions to business operations.

Based on the given scenario, the correct answer is Social Engineering. This is because the unauthorized Access Point was placed on the network under the desk of the Accounting department security without their knowledge. The fact that the security personnel denies any knowledge of it but mentions her new boyfriend's visits suggests that someone manipulated her trust and convinced her to allow the unauthorized access. This manipulation of human behavior and trust is a classic example of social engineering.

The console log printout would be the best source of information for detecting unauthorized input from a terminal. The console log records all the activities and commands performed on the terminal, including any unauthorized or suspicious input. By analyzing the console log printout, one can identify any unauthorized actions or attempts made from the terminal, helping to detect and prevent any potential security breaches.

This is an example of two-factor authentication because it requires two different types of credentials for authentication - a user ID and PIN, and a palm scan. Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security by combining something the user knows (user ID and PIN) with something the user has (palm scan) to verify their identity.

The first step in establishing an information security program would be the adoption of a corporate information security policy statement. This is because a policy statement outlines the organization's goals, objectives, and commitment to information security. It provides a high-level direction and sets the tone for the entire program. Without a policy statement, there would be no clear guidance or framework for implementing security measures and controls. The other options listed, such as the development of a standards manual, security awareness training program, or purchase of access control software, would come after the policy statement is in place.

A virus is a type of malicious code that is capable of replicating itself and causing harm to computer systems. Unlike other types of malware such as logic bombs, worms, and Trojan horses, viruses do not have any productive purpose and are solely designed to damage computer systems or create vulnerabilities.

Periodic checking of hard drives would most effectively detect the loading of illegal software packages. This procedure involves regularly scanning the hard drives of computers to identify any unauthorized or illegal software that may have been installed. By conducting periodic checks, organizations can proactively identify and remove any illegal software, ensuring compliance with legal and licensing requirements. This approach helps to prevent the use of unauthorized software, protecting the organization from potential legal issues and security risks.

An important characteristic of an information security policy is that it identifies major functional areas of information. This means that the policy outlines the different categories or types of information that are important to the organization, such as customer data, financial records, or intellectual property. By identifying these major functional areas, the policy can then establish specific guidelines and controls for protecting and securing each type of information appropriately. This helps ensure that the organization's information assets are properly managed and protected from potential threats or breaches.

The first step in developing an information security policy should be to gain management approval. This is important because without management support and buy-in, it will be difficult to implement and enforce the policy effectively. Management approval ensures that the policy aligns with the organization's goals and objectives, and that the necessary resources and support are provided for its implementation. Additionally, obtaining management approval early on helps to establish accountability and responsibility for the policy within the organization.

A biometric fingerprint scanner is an example of single-factor authentication because it relies solely on the unique physical characteristics of an individual, in this case their fingerprint, to verify their identity. It does not require any additional factors such as a password or a security token.

The most important reason for an IS auditor to obtain sufficient and appropriate audit evidence is to provide a basis for drawing reasonable conclusions. This means that the auditor needs to gather enough relevant and reliable evidence to support their findings and conclusions about the effectiveness and efficiency of the information systems being audited. Without sufficient and appropriate evidence, the auditor's conclusions may lack credibility and accuracy. Compliance with regulatory requirements, ensuring complete audit coverage, and performing the audit according to the defined scope are important considerations, but they are not the primary reason for obtaining audit evidence.

The question asks for a component that is NOT a fundamental part of a Regulatory Security Policy. The options provided are "What is to be done," "When it is to be done," "Who is to do it," and "Why is it to be done." These options represent the key elements of a policy, such as the actions to be taken, the timing of those actions, the rationale behind them, and the individuals responsible for carrying them out. However, "Who is to do it" does not pertain to the policy itself, but rather to the assignment of tasks and responsibilities, which is typically addressed in procedures or job descriptions rather than a policy.

Senior Management must bear the primary responsibility for determining the level of protection needed for information systems resources. This is because they are responsible for setting the overall strategic direction of the organization and making decisions regarding resource allocation, risk management, and policy development. They have the authority and accountability to make decisions that align with the organization's goals and objectives, and ensure that the necessary resources and controls are in place to protect information systems from potential threats and vulnerabilities. IS security specialists, senior security analysts, and system auditors may play a role in implementing and maintaining security measures, but the ultimate responsibility lies with Senior Management.

Port 110 can be filtered out to decrease unnecessary exposure without affecting functionality. Port 110 is used for the POP3 (Post Office Protocol version 3) protocol, which is not mentioned in the given scenario. Since the organization uses the IMAPv.4 protocol for reading emails, filtering out port 110 will not affect the ability of corporate users to send and receive messages on the Internet or read emails. Therefore, it can be safely filtered out to reduce exposure to potential security threats.

A hash is a unique number that is generated based upon the file's contents and should be verified after download. This means that the hash serves as a fingerprint or checksum for the file, allowing the user to compare the generated hash with the downloaded file's hash to ensure that the file has not been tampered with or corrupted during transmission.

A Network Intrusion Detection System (NIDS) is designed to monitor network traffic and detect any suspicious or malicious activity. It analyzes packets of data flowing through the network and compares them against a database of known attack signatures. By doing so, it can identify and alert technicians about external attacks on the network, providing them with valuable information such as the source of the attack, the type of attack, and potential vulnerabilities that were exploited. This makes NIDS the most effective tool for gathering information about external attacks on a network.

To obtain a certificate from a trusted CA, the user needs to present proof of identity and a public key. This is because the CA needs to verify the user's identity before issuing a certificate. The public key is required as it is used in the process of encrypting and decrypting data, ensuring secure communication between the user and the CA. The private key is not required in this scenario as it is kept confidential by the user and is used for decrypting data that has been encrypted with the corresponding public key. A password or Kerberos key is not relevant to the process of obtaining a certificate from a CA.

The auditor provides a second set of eyes, which are external from the subject under review. This means that the auditor is an independent party who reviews and examines the financial statements, records, and processes of an organization to ensure their accuracy and compliance with regulations. The auditor's role is to provide an objective assessment and evaluation of the organization's financial statements, giving stakeholders confidence in the reliability of the information presented.

Inadequate software baselining can result in scope creep. This is because without proper baselining, there is a lack of control and documentation of project requirements and changes. As a result, additional features or changes may be added to the project scope without proper evaluation or approval, leading to scope creep.

A computer policy typically outlines guidelines and procedures for the use and management of computer systems within an organization. It includes various components such as defining management expectations, stating senior executive support, and defining legal and regulatory controls. However, the responsibilities of individuals and groups for protected information should not be explicitly included in a computer policy. This information is usually covered in separate policies or guidelines specific to data protection and privacy.

If the source routing field is enabled, it allows the sender of a packet to specify the route that the packet should take through the network. This can be exploited by an attacker to spoof their IP address and bypass security measures. Therefore, to prevent IP spoofing attacks, a firewall should be configured to drop any packet that has the source routing field enabled.

The correct answer is to close firewall-2 because the intrusion detection system (IDS) has detected traffic for the internal network that did not originate from the mail gateway. By closing firewall-2, it prevents any further unauthorized traffic from entering the internal network, ensuring the security and integrity of the network.

The use of residual biometric information to gain unauthorized access is an example of a replay attack. In a replay attack, an attacker intercepts and records legitimate data or information and then replays it later to gain unauthorized access. In this case, the residual biometric information, such as fingerprints or facial recognition data, is captured and replayed to bypass the biometric authentication system and gain unauthorized access.

When conducting a penetration test of an IT system, an organization should be most concerned with restoring all systems to the original state. This is because during the penetration test, the system may be intentionally modified or compromised in order to identify vulnerabilities. Once the test is completed, it is crucial to restore the system back to its original state to ensure its normal functioning and security. This allows the organization to continue its operations without any lingering vulnerabilities or potential issues that may have been introduced during the testing process.

The assignment of individual roles and responsibilities is most appropriately defined in an Acceptable Use Policy. This policy outlines the acceptable behavior and usage of a system or network and typically includes specific guidelines for users' roles and responsibilities. It helps to ensure that individuals understand their obligations and expectations when using the system or network, promoting security and compliance with organizational policies and procedures.