Internal Audit Incidents: Verifying Audit Issues for CISA Exam | IS Auditor's Guide

Root Cause Analysis Verification for Audit Issues

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Question

An internal audit has revealed a large number of incidents for which root cause analysis has not been performed.

Which of the following is MOST important for the IS auditor to verify to determine whether there is an audit issue?

Answers

Explanations

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A. B. C. D.

D.

In this scenario, the internal audit has identified a large number of incidents for which root cause analysis has not been performed. As an IS auditor, the most important aspect to verify is the frequency of the incidents (Option D) as it can indicate a systemic issue with the IT controls or processes.

Option A, the cost of resolving the incidents, may be important to consider but may not be as relevant as the frequency of the incidents. The cost of resolving the incidents may be a reflection of poor incident management practices, but it may not be a conclusive indicator of a systemic issue.

Option B, the severity level of the incidents, may also be important to consider, but severity alone may not be a reliable indicator of a systemic issue. For instance, severe incidents may occur infrequently, while lower severity incidents may occur frequently, and this could have a different impact on the organization's security posture.

Option C, the time required to resolve the incidents, may also be important to consider, but again, it may not be as relevant as the frequency of the incidents. The time required to resolve an incident can depend on various factors such as complexity, availability of resources, and the skill level of the IT staff. Therefore, time alone may not be conclusive evidence of a systemic issue.

In summary, the frequency of incidents is the most important aspect to verify for an IS auditor in this scenario as it can provide insight into whether there is a systemic issue with the IT controls or processes.