The best recommendation by the IS auditor for finding that application servers had inconsistent security settings leading to potential vulnerabilities is to perform a configuration review. A configuration review is an audit procedure that involves examining and verifying the security settings and parameters of application servers against predefined standards or best practices. A configuration review can help to identify and remediate any deviations, inconsistencies, or misconfigurations thatmay expose the application servers to unauthorized access, exploitation, or compromise6. A configuration review can also help to ensure compliance with security policies and regulations, as well as enhance the performance and availability of application servers. The other options are less effective or incorrect because:
* A. Improving the change management process is not the best recommendation by the IS auditor for finding that application servers had inconsistent security settings leading to potential vulnerabilities, as it does not address the root cause of the problem or provide a specific solution. While improving the change management process may help to prevent future inconsistencies or misconfigurations in application server settings, it does not ensure that the existing ones are detected and corrected.
* B. Establishing security metrics is not the best recommendation by the IS auditor for finding that application servers had inconsistent security settings leading to potential vulnerabilities, as it does not address the root cause of the problem or provide a specific solution. While establishing security metrics may help to measure and monitor the security performance and posture of application servers, it does not ensure that the existing inconsistencies or misconfigurations in application server settings are detected and corrected.
* C. Performing a penetration test is not the best recommendation by the IS auditor for finding that application servers had inconsistent security settings leading to potential vulnerabilities, as it does not address the root cause of the problem or provide a specific solution. While performing a penetration test may help to simulate and evaluate the impact of an attack on application servers, it does not ensure that the existing inconsistencies or misconfigurations in application server settings are detected and corrected. References: Configuring system to useapplication server security - IBM, Application Security Risk: Assessment and Modeling - ISACA, Five Key Components of an Application SecurityProgram - ISACA, ISACA Practitioner Guidelines for Auditors - SSH, SCADA Cybersecurity Framework - ISACA

The business case for an information system investment is a document that provides the rationale and justification for the investment, based on the expected costs, benefits, risks, and impacts of the project12. The business case should be available for review until the benefits have been fully realized, because it serves as a baseline for measuring the actual performance and outcomes of the project against the planned ones34. This helps to evaluate the success and value of the investment, and to identify any gaps or issues that need to be addressed5.
References
1: The Business Case for Security - CISA
2: Beyond the Business Case: New Approaches to IT Investment
3: #HowTo: Build a Business Case for Cybersecurity Investment
4: ISACA CISA Certified Information Systems Auditor Exam ... - PUPUWEB
5: The Business Case for Security | CISA

The audit procedure that would have most likely identified the exception of critical servers not included in the central log repository is to compare a list of all servers from the directory server against a list of all servers present in the central log repository. This would allow the IS auditor to detect any discrepancies or omissions in the central log repository. The other audit procedures (A, C and D) would not be effective in identifying this exception, as they would only focus on the alerts generated, the alert settings configured, or the servers included in the previous year's audit, which may not reflect the current state of the central log repository. References: IS Audit and Assurance Guideline 2202: Evidence Collection Techniques, CISA Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 5: Protection of Information Assets, Section 5.3: Logging and Monitoring

Reviewing and evaluating application test cases is the most effective use of an IS auditor's time during the evaluation of controls over a major application development project. Application test cases are designed to verify that the application meets the functional and non-functional requirements and specifications. They also help to identify and correct any errors, defects, or vulnerabilities in the application before it is deployed. By reviewing and evaluating the test cases, the IS auditor can assess the quality, reliability, security, and performance of the application and provide recommendations for improvement.

Comprehensive and Detailed Step-by-Step Explanation:
Risk acceptancemeanschoosing not to take immediate actionto mitigate the risk, making it thelowest- costapproach in the short term.
* Risk Acceptance (Correct Answer - B)
* The organizationacknowledges the riskand decides toaccept itwithout implementing additional controls.
* Example:A small companyaccepts the riskof not segregating financial duties due to limited staff.
* Risk Mitigation (Incorrect - A)
* Requiresimplementing controls, whichincur costs.
* Risk Transference (Incorrect - C)
* Involvesoutsourcing risk(e.g., buying insurance), which hasfinancial costs.
* Risk Reduction (Incorrect - D)
* Involvesapplying security controls, leading to additional costs.
References:
* ISACA CISA Review Manual
* ISO 31000 (Risk Management Framework)