Free CISA IS Operations & Business Resilience Practice Test 2026 — Certified Information Systems Auditor Questions

This free CISA IS Operations & Business Resilience practice test covers CISA Domain 4 (~23%) — IS operations and business resilience, the largest weighted CISA domain covering ITIL, incident handling, BCP/DRP, and recovery objectives. Each question includes a detailed explanation aligned to the ITAF and ISACA CISA Review Manual.

Key Topics in CISA IS Operations & Business Resilience

6 Free CISA IS Operations & Business Resilience Practice Questions with Answers

Sample Question 1 — Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience

During an audit of an organization's disaster recovery plan (DRP), the IS auditor notes that the plan has not been tested in over two years. What is the MOST significant risk associated with this finding?

  1. A. The DRP may not align with current business objectives.
  2. B. Key personnel may not be familiar with their roles in the DRP.
  3. C. The DRP may not include the latest technology and infrastructure changes.
  4. D. The organization may not be able to recover critical operations in a timely manner. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: D

Explanation: The most significant risk of not testing the DRP regularly is that the organization may not be able to recover critical operations in a timely manner (Option D). While it's important for the DRP to align with business objectives (Option A), include the latest technology (Option C), and ensure personnel are familiar with their roles (Option B), the primary purpose of testing is to ensure that the plan is effective and that the organization can recover from disruptions. Regular testing helps identify gaps and ensures the plan is actionable.

Sample Question 2 — Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience

An IS auditor is reviewing the backup procedures for a company's critical systems. Which of the following would be the BEST indicator that the backup process is effective?

  1. A. Backups are performed daily and stored on-site.
  2. B. Backup logs are reviewed weekly by IT staff.
  3. C. Restoration tests are conducted regularly and successfully. (Correct answer)
  4. D. Backups are encrypted and stored off-site.

Correct answer: C

Explanation: The best indicator of an effective backup process is that restoration tests are conducted regularly and successfully (Option C). This ensures that backups can be used to recover data in the event of a data loss incident. While daily backups (Option A), log reviews (Option B), and off-site encrypted storage (Option D) are important components of a backup strategy, they do not directly confirm the ability to restore data.

Sample Question 3 — Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience

An organization has implemented a high-availability solution for its critical applications to ensure business continuity. During an audit, which of the following should an IS auditor consider the MOST important aspect to review?

  1. A. The cost of the high-availability solution.
  2. B. The service level agreements (SLAs) with the solution provider.
  3. C. The configuration and testing of failover mechanisms. (Correct answer)
  4. D. The training provided to IT staff on the high-availability system.

Correct answer: C

Explanation: The most important aspect for an IS auditor to review in a high-availability solution is the configuration and testing of failover mechanisms (Option C). This ensures that the system can switch to a backup system without significant downtime in the event of a failure. While SLAs (Option B), cost (Option A), and training (Option D) are important considerations, the effectiveness of failover mechanisms is crucial for maintaining business continuity.

Sample Question 4 — Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience

During an audit of a business continuity plan (BCP), an IS auditor finds that the plan does not include detailed recovery procedures for a recently acquired subsidiary. What should be the auditor's FIRST course of action?

  1. A. Recommend immediate development of recovery procedures for the subsidiary.
  2. B. Assess the impact of this omission on the overall BCP. (Correct answer)
  3. C. Verify if the subsidiary has its own BCP in place.
  4. D. Determine if the subsidiary is covered under the parent company's insurance policy.

Correct answer: B

Explanation: The auditor's first course of action should be to assess the impact of the omission on the overall BCP (Option B). Understanding the potential impact helps prioritize the urgency of addressing the issue. While recommending the development of procedures (Option A) or verifying the subsidiary's own BCP (Option C) are important steps, they follow after understanding the impact. Insurance coverage (Option D) is not directly relevant to the BCP's effectiveness.

Sample Question 5 — Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience

An IS auditor is evaluating the incident management process of an organization. Which of the following is the MOST critical element to ensure business resilience?

  1. A. Documented incident response procedures.
  2. B. Regular training and awareness programs for staff.
  3. C. A centralized incident management system.
  4. D. Timely communication to stakeholders during incidents. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: D

Explanation: The most critical element to ensure business resilience is timely communication to stakeholders during incidents (Option D). Effective communication ensures that all relevant parties are informed and can take appropriate action to minimize impact. While documented procedures (Option A), training (Option B), and a centralized system (Option C) are important, timely communication is essential to manage incidents effectively and maintain resilience.

Sample Question 6 — Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience

An organization has recently implemented a new data backup solution to enhance its business resilience strategy. As an IS auditor, what should be your primary focus when evaluating the effectiveness of this new solution?

  1. A. The speed at which data can be backed up and restored.
  2. B. The cost-effectiveness of the backup solution.
  3. C. The alignment of the backup solution with the organization's recovery time objectives (RTOs) and recovery point objectives (RPOs). (Correct answer)
  4. D. The user-friendliness of the backup solution interface.

Correct answer: C

Explanation: The primary focus of an IS auditor should be on ensuring that the backup solution aligns with the organization's recovery time objectives (RTOs) and recovery point objectives (RPOs). These metrics are crucial for assessing whether the backup solution can meet the organization's business continuity and resilience requirements. While the speed of backup and restoration (A), cost-effectiveness (B), and user-friendliness (D) are important considerations, they are secondary to ensuring that the solution meets critical recovery objectives.

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