CISSP Practice Question: What would MOST likely occur if a company neglects to conduct periodic…

Correct Answer: A. Increased compliance penalties

Explanation (CISSP Manager Logic):

Regulatory frameworks mandate periodic assessments to validate that security controls remain effective and aligned with legal requirements. Neglecting these audits constitutes a failure in due diligence, exposing the organization to significant financial fines, legal liabilities, and potential loss of operating licenses.

By conducting periodic assessments, you:

• Demonstrate due care and regulatory compliance
• Identify and remediate vulnerabilities before exploitation
• Provide objective risk metrics to senior leadership

While the other options are relevant, they fall short because:

• B: Stakeholder confidence is eroded, not enhanced, when an organization fails to validate its security posture.
• C: Security incidents are more likely to increase as unpatched vulnerabilities remain undiscovered without regular testing.
• D: System performance is a technical metric unrelated to the legal and risk obligations of security auditing.

Think like a manager:

Compliance is a non-negotiable business requirement. Managers must prioritize regular assessments to validate control effectiveness and protect the organization from avoidable financial and legal liabilities.