A cloud service provider utilizes services of other service providers for its cloud service. Which of the following is the BEST approach for the auditor while performing the audit for the cloud service?
Answer(s): B
According to the ISACA Cloud Auditing Knowledge Certificate Study Guide, the auditor should review the relationship between the cloud service provider and its service provider to help direct and estimate the level of effort and analysis the auditor should apply. The auditor should understand the nature and scope of the services provided by the service provider, the contractual obligations and service level agreements, the security and compliance requirements, and the monitoring and reporting mechanisms. The auditor should also assess the risks and controls associated with the service provider, and determine if additional audit procedures are needed to obtain sufficient assurance.The other options are not the best approach for the auditor. Option A is too strict and might not be feasible or necessary, depending on the type and level of services provided by the service provider. Option C is too lax and might overlook significant risks and gaps in the cloud service. Option D is too narrow and might ignore the impact of the service provider on the cloud customer's business context.
ISACA Cloud Auditing Knowledge Certificate Study Guide, page 13-14.
The PRIMARY objective for an auditor to understand the organization's context for a cloud audit is to:
According to the ISACA Cloud Auditing Knowledge Certificate Study Guide, the primary objective for an auditor to understand the organization's context for a cloud audit is to validate an understanding of the organization's current state and how the cloud audit plan fits into the existing audit approach. The auditor should consider the organization's business objectives, strategies, risks, and opportunities, as well as the regulatory and contractual requirements that apply to the organization's use of cloud services. The auditor should also assess the organization's cloud maturity level, governance structure, policies and procedures, roles and responsibilities, and existing controls related to cloud services. The auditor should then align the cloud audit plan with the organization's context and ensure that it covers the relevant scope, objectives, criteria, and methodology. The other options are not the primary objective for an auditor to understand the organization's context for a cloud audit. Option A is a possible audit procedure, but not the main goal of understanding the organization's context. Option C is a possible audit outcome, but not the main purpose of understanding the organization's context. Option D is a possible audit finding, but not the main reason for understanding the organization's context.
ISACA Cloud Auditing Knowledge Certificate Study Guide, page 12-13.
During the planning phase of a cloud audit, the PRIMARY goal of a cloud auditor is to:
According to the ISACA Cloud Auditing Knowledge Certificate Study Guide, the primary goal of a cloud auditor during the planning phase of a cloud audit is to address audit objectives. The audit objectives are the specific questions that the audit aims to answer, such as whether the cloud service meets the security, compliance, performance, and availability requirements of the cloud customer. The audit objectives should be aligned with the organization's context, risk appetite, and expectations. The audit objectives should also be clear, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely.The other options are not the primary goal of a cloud auditor during the planning phase of a cloud audit. Option A is a possible activity, but not the main goal of the planning phase. The appropriate tests are determined based on the audit objectives, criteria, and methodology. Option C is a possible constraint, but not the main goal of the planning phase. The audit resources should be allocated based on the audit scope, complexity, and significance. Option D is a possible outcome, but not the main goal of the planning phase. The sufficient evidence is collected during the execution phase of the audit, based on the audit plan.
An auditor examining a cloud service provider's service level agreement (SLA) should be MOST concerned about whether:
Answer(s): D
An auditor examining a cloud service provider's SLA should be most concerned about whether the agreement excludes any operational matters that are material to the service operations, as this could indicate a lack of transparency, accountability, and quality assurance from the provider. Operational matters are the aspects of the cloud service that affect its functionality, performance, availability, reliability, security, and compliance. Examples of operational matters include service scope, roles and responsibilities, service levels and metrics, monitoring and reporting mechanisms, incident and problem management, change management, backup and recovery, data protection and privacy, and termination and exit clauses. These matters are material to the service operations if they have a significant impact on the achievement of the service objectives and expectations of the cloud customer. The auditor should verify that the SLA covers all the relevant and material operational matters in a clear and comprehensive manner, and that the provider adheres to the SLA terms and conditions.The other options are not the most concerning for the auditor. Option A is a desirable feature of an SLA, but not a concern if it is missing. Option B is an unrealistic expectation of an SLA, as sourcing and financial matters are usually essential in meeting the SLA. Option C is a specific example of an operational matter that is material to the service operations, but not the only one that should be included in the SLA.
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