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The first step to gain approval for outsourcing to address a security gap is to perform a cost-benefit analysis, because it helps to evaluate the feasibility and viability of the outsourcing option and compare it with other alternatives. A cost-benefit analysis is a method of estimating and comparing the costs and benefits of a project or a decision, in terms of financial, operational, and strategic aspects. A cost-benefit analysis can help to:

Identify and quantify the expected costs and benefits of outsourcing, such as the initial and ongoing expenses, the potential savings and revenues, the quality and efficiency of the service, the risks and opportunities, and the alignment with the business objectives and requirements

Assess and prioritize the criticality and urgency of the security gap, and the impact and likelihood of the related threats and vulnerabilities

Determine the optimal level and scope of outsourcing, such as the type, duration, and frequency of the service, the roles and responsibilities of the parties involved, and the performance and security standards and metrics

Justify and communicate the rationale and value proposition of outsourcing, and provide evidence and support for the decision making process

Establish and document the criteria and process for selecting and evaluating the outsourcing provider, and the contractual and legal terms and conditions

A cost-benefit analysis should be performed before submitting a funding request to senior management, because it can help to demonstrate the need and the return on investment of the outsourcing project, and to secure the budget and the resources. A cost-benefit analysis should also be performed before beginning due diligence on the outsourcing company, because it can help to narrow down the list of potential candidates and to focus on the most relevant and suitable ones. Collecting additional metrics may be a part of the cost-benefit analysis, but it is not the first step, because it requires a clear definition and understanding of the objectives and scope of the outsourcing project.

References = CISM Review Manual, 16th Edition, ISACA, 2021, pages 173-174, 177-178.

= Documenting incident notification and escalation processes is the most critical step when creating an incident response plan, as this ensures that the appropriate stakeholders are informed and involved in the response process. Identifying vulnerable data assets, what constitutes an incident, and aligning with the risk assessment process are important, but not as critical as documenting the communication and escalation procedures. References = CISM Review Manual 2023, page 1631; CISM Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Manual 2023, page 282

The organization’s risk tolerance is the most important factor to consider when choosing a shared alternate location for computing facilities, as it determines the acceptable level of risk exposure and the required recovery time objective (RTO) for the organization. A shared alternate location is a facility that is used by multiple organizations for disaster recovery purposes, and it may have limited resources, availability, and security. Therefore, the organization must assess its risk tolerance and ensure that the shared alternate location can meet its recovery requirements and protect its information assets.

References = CISM Review Manual, 27th Edition, Chapter 4, Section 4.3.2, page 2291; CISM Online Review Course, Module 4, Lesson 3, Topic 22; BCMpedia, Alternate Site3