Question 730
During a post-incident audit at a retail marketplace, the IS auditor learns that a remote laptop can access production without device posture verification. The affected operation supports customer checkout and order fulfillment. Customer transactions and market trust depend on effective control. What is the MOST defensible risk conclusion from the observed condition?
Explanation
Correct Answer
Correct. Exposed administration surfaces and weak segment or endpoint controls can enable unauthorized access and lateral movement. The described exception is: a remote laptop can access production without device posture verification. This risk ties the observation to the business significance of customer checkout and order fulfillment, rather than treating management's claim as independent assurance.
Incorrect Answers
Encryption may fail to protect information if keys, algorithms, transport or access are poorly governed. The relevant success criterion is evidence appropriate to the audit conclusion; this measures a different function.
Weak trust chain validation and certificate lifecycle controls can enable impersonation or availability loss. Acceptance here depends on observing evidence appropriate to the audit conclusion, not only that test.
Weak device identity, lifecycle and network segmentation can expose sensitive systems through unmanaged endpoints. It does not establish the requested evidence appropriate to the audit conclusion outcome.