(ISC)2 Certified in Cybersecurity Practice Exam

Which process is essential for maintaining security and effectiveness against attacks?

1. Annual budgeting

2. Conferences with senior leadership

3. Updating and patching systems

4. The annual shareholders' meeting

The correct answer is: Updating and patching systems

Maintaining security and effectiveness against attacks requires a proactive approach to managing vulnerabilities in information systems. Updating and patching systems is a critical process because it addresses known security flaws in software and hardware. Cybercriminals frequently exploit these vulnerabilities, and failure to apply updates can leave systems susceptible to various attacks, such as malware infections, data breaches, or ransomware. When organizations regularly update and patch their systems, they strengthen their overall security posture. This ensures that they benefit from the latest security enhancements, bug fixes, and protection mechanisms provided by software vendors. In addition, timely updates can mitigate risks associated with zero-day vulnerabilities, which are exploited by attackers shortly after they are discovered. The other options, while important in their own contexts, do not have the same direct impact on immediate security against cyber threats. Annual budgeting and conferences with senior leadership are more focused on planning and decision-making processes rather than on actively mitigating security risks. The annual shareholders' meeting is primarily concerned with organizational performance and shareholder interests, which may not directly relate to the day-to-day operational security of systems.