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Gap Analysis

5 minutes 5 Questions

Gap analysis is a process of comparing an organization's current security posture and practices against desired or required outcomes, such as regulatory requirements, industry best practices, or identified security objectives. It helps organizations identify areas of weakness or non-compliance and prioritize remediation efforts. A gap analysis typically involves evaluating the effectiveness of existing policies, procedures, controls, and technologies; and determining where improvements or additional measures are needed. The results of the gap analysis can inform the development of a remediation plan to bridge gaps, enhance the organization's security posture, and support the objectives of the security governance program.

Guide to Gap Analysis for CISSP Security Governance

In the CISSP Security Governance, Gap Analysis is a crucial concept. This guide will help you understand this concept and how to answer related questions in an examination.

1. What is Gap Analysis?
Gap Analysis is a method of assessing the differences between the actual performance and the potential or desired performance in an organization's security management. This analysis helps to identify whether the resources such as people, software, hardware, and data are being utilized effectively.

2. Why is it Important?
Gap Analysis is critical for the following reasons: It aids in optimizing resource allocation, identifying performance shortcomings, clarifying action plans, and formulating strategic planning.

3. How Does it Work?
The Gap Analysis process involves identifying specific gaps, analyzing these gaps, and then devising a plan to bridge them effectively.

4. Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Gap Analysis
When answering questions on Gap Analysis in an exam, always define the concept, and explain its importance and how it works. Use real-life examples to demonstrate your understanding better.
- Understand the questions well before attempting them.
- Distinguish between 'actual' and 'desired' performance.
- Be precise and clear in your answers.
- Use keywords related to Gap Analysis such as 'identification', 'analysis', 'strategy formulation', etc.

Ultimately, Gap Analysis is a powerful tool in CISSP Security Governance for enhancing efficiency and effectiveness in security management.

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CISSP - Security Governance Example Questions

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Question 1

A small company recently implemented a BYOD policy for its employees. Concerned about potential security risks, management wants to conduct a gap analysis to identify potential vulnerabilities. What should be the primary focus of this analysis?

Correct Answer: Assess the risks associated with personal devices used for work

For a gap analysis centered around a BYOD policy, the primary focus should be on assessing the security risks associated with personal devices used for work. The other options are important factors to consider, but they do not directly address the security risks that are the main concern in this scenario.

Question 2

During a gap analysis, what is the most effective technique for quantifying the identified capability deficiencies across multiple business domains?

Correct Answer: Creating a weighted scoring matrix based on strategic priorities

Creating a weighted scoring matrix based on strategic priorities is the most effective technique for quantifying capability deficiencies because: 1. It aligns the analysis with organizational strategic goals 2. It provides a systematic way to prioritize gaps 3. It allows for customized weighting based on business importance 4. It enables objective comparison across different business domains Regarding the other options: A comprehensive cross-functional assessment matrix is too complex and may lead to analysis paralysis, making it difficult to derive actionable insights. A balanced scorecard, while useful for performance measurement, is more suited for ongoing monitoring rather than specifically quantifying capability gaps. Statistical variance analysis is too narrow in focus and may miss important qualitative aspects of capability gaps. It also may not effectively account for strategic priorities and business context.

Question 3

An organization has a large backlog of proposed changes to its security policy, including updates to address newly identified risks. Which method is preferred for conducting a gap analysis in this situation?

Correct Answer: Prioritize the proposed changes based on risk impact

Prioritizing the proposed changes based on the risk impact ensures that the highest-priority changes are addressed first. Implementing all changes at once can create unnecessary complexity, and focusing only on easy changes or in the order of proposal could neglect high-priority risks. Starting from scratch is not a feasible solution, while only focusing on outdated policies might leave new risks unaddressed.

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