Isaca Updated CCOA Exam Questions and Answers by alfie-james

Encryption of data at restis the best control to protectsensitive data from unauthorized access, even if physical or network access to the disk or file is obtained.

Protection:Data remains unreadable without the proper encryption keys.

Scenarios:Protects data from theft due to lost devices or compromised servers.

Compliance:Often mandated by regulations (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA).

Incorrect Options:

A. Next-generation antivirus:Detects malware, not data protection.

B. Data loss prevention (DLP):Prevents data exfiltration but does not protect data at rest.

C. Endpoint detection and response (EDR):Monitors suspicious activity but does not secure stored data.

Exact Extract from CCOA Official Review Manual, 1st Edition:

Refer to Chapter 6, Section "Data Security Strategies," Subsection "Encryption Techniques" - Encryption of data at rest is essential for protecting sensitive information.

Even when a database environment isencrypted at rest and in transit, data theft can still occur due tomisconfigured access control lists (ACLs).

Why ACL Misconfiguration Is Likely:

Access Permissions:If ACLs are not correctly configured, unauthorized users might gain access despite encryption.

Insider Threats:Legitimate users with excessive permissions can misuse access.

Access via Compromised Accounts:If user accounts with broad ACL permissions are compromised, encryption alone will not protect data.

Encryption Is Not Enough:Encryption protects data in transit and at rest, but once decrypted for use, weak ACLs can expose the data.

Other options analysis:

A. Group rights for access:Not as directly related as misconfigured ACLs.

B. Improper backup procedures:Would affect data recovery, not direct access.

D. Insufficiently strong encryption:Data was accessed, indicating apermission issue, not weak encryption.

CCOA Official Review Manual, 1st Edition References:

Chapter 7: Access Control and Data Protection:Discusses the importance of proper ACL configurations.

Chapter 9: Database Security Practices:Highlights common access control pitfalls.

Thebest method for hardening an operating systemis toremove unnecessary services and applicationsbecause:

Minimizes Attack Surface:Reduces the number of potential entry points for attackers.

Eliminates Vulnerabilities:Unused or outdated services may contain unpatched vulnerabilities.

Performance Optimization:Fewer active services mean reduced resource consumption.

Best Practice:Follow the principle ofminimal functionalityto secure operating systems.

Security Baseline:After cleanup, the system is easier to manage and monitor.

Other options analysis:

A. Implementing a HIDS:Helps detect intrusions but does not inherently harden the OS.

B. Manually signing drivers:Ensures authenticity but doesn’t reduce the attack surface.

D. Applying only critical updates:Important but insufficient on its own. All relevant updates should be applied.

CCOA Official Review Manual, 1st Edition References:

Chapter 9: Secure System Configuration:Emphasizes the removal of non-essential components for system hardening.

Chapter 7: Endpoint Security Best Practices:Discusses minimizing services to reduce risk.

Performingregular code reviews throughout developmentis the most effective method for reducing application risk:

Early Detection:Identifies security vulnerabilities before deployment.

Code Quality:Improves security practices and coding standards among developers.

Static Analysis:Ensures compliance with secure coding practices, reducing common vulnerabilities (like injection or XSS).

Continuous Improvement:Incorporates feedback into future development cycles.

Incorrect Options:

A. Regular third-party risk assessments:Important but does not directly address code-level risks.

C. Regular vulnerability scans after deployment:Identifies issues post-deployment, which is less efficient.

D. Regular monitoring of application use:Helps detect anomalies but not inherent vulnerabilities.

Exact Extract from CCOA Official Review Manual, 1st Edition:

Refer to Chapter 6, Section "Secure Software Development," Subsection "Code Review Practices" - Code reviews are critical for proactively identifying security flaws during development.