The technical capabilities of the provider are the MOST important thing for an information security manager to verify when selecting a third-party forensics provider because they determine the quality, reliability, and validity of the forensic services and results that the provider can deliver. The technical capabilities of the provider include the skills, experience, and qualifications of the forensic staff, the methods, tools, and standards that the forensic staff use, and the facilities, equipment, and resources that the forensic staff have. The information security manager should verify that the technical capabilities of the provider match the forensic needs and expectations of the organization, such as the type, scope, and complexity of the forensic investigation, the legal and regulatory requirements, and the time and cost constraints12. The existence of a right-to-audit clause (A) is an important thing for an information security manager to verify when selecting a third-party forensics provider, but it is not the MOST important thing. A right-to-audit clause is a contractual provision that grants the organization the right to audit or review the performance, compliance, and security of the provider. A right-to-audit clause can help to ensure the accountability, transparency, and quality of the provider, as well as to identify and resolve any issues or disputes that may arise during or after the forensic service. However, a right-to-audit clause does not guarantee that the provider has the technical capabilities to conduct the forensic service effectively and efficiently12. The results of the provider's business continuity tests (B) are an important thing for an information security manager to verify when selecting a third-party forensics provider, but they are not the MOST important thing. The results of the provider's business continuity tests can indicate the ability and readiness of the provider to continue or resume the forensic service in the event of a disruption, disaster, or emergency. The results of the provider's business continuity tests can help to assess the availability, resilience, and recovery of the provider, as well as to mitigate the risks of losing or compromising the forensic evidence or data. However, the results of the provider's business continuity tests do not ensure that the provider has the technical capabilities to perform the forensic service accurately and professionally12. The existence of the provider's incident response plan (D) is an important thing for an information security manager to verify when selecting a third-party forensics provider, but it is not the MOST important thing. The existence of the provider's incident response plan can demonstrate the preparedness and capability of the provider to detect, report, and respond to any security incidents that may affect the forensic service or the organization. The existence of the provider's incident response plan can help to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the forensic evidence or data, as well as to comply with the legal and contractual obligations. However, the existence of the provider's incident response plan does not confirm that the provider has the technical capabilities to execute the forensic service competently and ethically12. References = 1: CISM Review Manual 15th Edition, page 310-3111; 2: A Risk-Based Management Approach to Third-Party Data Security, Risk and Compliance - ISACA2

A controls audit is the best indicator of an organization's information security status, as it provides an independent and objective assessment of the design, implementation, and effectiveness of the information security controls. A controls audit can also identify the strengths and weaknesses of the information security program, as well as the compliance with the policies, standards, and regulations. A controls audit can cover various aspects of information security, such as governance, risk management, incident management, business continuity, and technical security. A controls audit can be conducted by internal or external auditors, depending on the scope, purpose, and frequency of the audit.
The other options are not as good as a controls audit, as they do not provide a comprehensive and holistic view of the information security status. Intrusion detection log analysis is a technique to monitor and analyze the network or system activities for signs of unauthorized or malicious access or attacks. It can help to detect and respond to security incidents, but it does not measure the overall performance or maturity of the information security program. Threat analysis is a process to identify and evaluate the potential sources, methods, and impacts of threats to the information assets. It can help to prioritize and mitigate the risks, but it does not verify the adequacy or functionality of the information security controls. Penetration test is a simulated attack on the network or system to evaluate the vulnerability and exploitability of the information security defenses. It can help to validate and improve the technical security, but it does not assess the non- technical aspects of information security, such as governance, policies, or awareness. References =
* CISM Review Manual, 16th Edition, ISACA, 2022, pp. 211-212, 215-216, 233-234, 237-238.
* CISM Questions, Answers & Explanations Database, ISACA, 2022, QID 1012.

A business impact analysis (BIA) is a process that identifies and evaluates the potential effects of disruptions to critical business operations as a result of a disaster, accident, emergency, or threat. A BIA helps to determine the business continuity requirements and priorities for recovery of business functions and processes, including their dependencies on IT systems, applications, and data. A BIA also provides information on the financial and operational impacts of a disruption, the recovery time objectives (RTOs), the recovery point objectives (RPOs), and the minimum service levels for each business function and process. A BIA is an essential input for designing a disaster recovery plan (DRP), which is a documented and approved set of procedures and arrangements to enable an organization to respond to a disaster and resume its critical functions within a predetermined timeframe. A DRP must be based on the BIA results to ensure that the system restoration is prioritized according to the business needs and expectations. A DRP must also consider the availability and suitability of the recovery resources, such as backup systems, alternate sites, and personnel. A DRP should be tested and updated regularly to ensure its effectiveness and alignment with the changing business environment and requirements. References = CISM Review Manual, 15th Edition, pages
175-1761; CISM Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Database, question ID 2182; Working Toward a Managed, Mature Business Continuity Plan - ISACA3; Part Two: Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Plans - CISM Foundations: Module 4 Course4.
A BIA is an important part of Disaster Recovery Planning (DRP). It helps identify the impact of a disruption on the organization, including the critical systems and processes that must be recovered in order to minimize that impact. The BIA results are used to prioritize system restoration and determine the resources needed to get the organization back into operation as quickly as possible.

The best way to ensure that information security concerns are considered during the procurement of SaaS solutions is to integrate information security risk assessments into the procurement process. This will allow the organization to identify and evaluate the potential security risks and impacts of using a SaaS provider, and to select the most appropriate solution based on the risk appetite and tolerance of the organization.
Information security risk assessments should be conducted at the early stages of the procurement process, before selecting a vendor or signing a contract, and should be updated periodically throughout the contract lifecycle.
Providing regular information security training to the procurement team (B) is a good practice, but it may not be sufficient to address the specific security issues and challenges of SaaS solutions. The procurement team may not have the expertise or the authority to conduct information security risk assessments or to negotiate security requirements with the vendors.
Inviting IT members into regular procurement team meetings to influence best practice is also a good practice, but it may not be effective if the IT members are not involved in the actual procurement process or decision making. The IT members may not have the opportunity or the influence to conduct information security risk assessments or to ensure that security concerns are adequately addressed in the procurement contracts.
Enforcing the right to audit in procurement contracts with SaaS vendors (D) is an important control, but it is not the most effective way to ensure that information security concerns are considered during the procurement process. The right to audit is a post-contractual measure that allows the organization to verify the security controls and compliance of the SaaS provider, but it does not prevent or mitigate the security risks that may arise from using a SaaS solution. The right to audit should be complemented by information security risk assessments and other security requirements in the procurement contracts.
References = CISM Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 3: Information Security Program Development and Management, Section: Information Security Program Management, Subsection:
Procurement and Vendor Management, Page 141-1421