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100+ Free EXIN Information Security Essentials Practice Questions

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Key Facts: EXIN Information Security Essentials Exam

20

Exam Questions

EXIN

30 min

Time Limit

EXIN

65%

Passing Score (13/20)

EXIN

$180 (€150)

Exam Fee

EXIN

Lifetime

Validity

EXIN

en, nl, de, es

Official Languages

EXIN

The EXIN Information Security Essentials exam features 20 closed-book multiple-choice questions to be completed in 30 minutes, requiring a 65% passing score (13 out of 20). The syllabus covers ISO 27001 fundamentals, threat landscape, physical/mobile security, and incident reporting & data protection. The certification does not expire.

Sample EXIN Information Security Essentials Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your EXIN Information Security Essentials exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which component of the CIA triad ensures that sensitive information is accessible only to authorized individuals or systems?
A.Confidentiality
B.Integrity
C.Availability
D.Non-repudiation
Explanation: Confidentiality ensures that information is kept secret and accessible only to authorized parties. Measures such as encryption, access control lists, and data classification protect confidentiality. Without confidentiality, sensitive data could be disclosed to unauthorized entities.
2An organization discovers that an unauthorized user altered customer financial records in a database. Which core security objective was compromised?
A.Confidentiality
B.Integrity
C.Availability
D.Authenticity
Explanation: Integrity means ensuring that information is accurate, complete, and protected against unauthorized modification or tampering. The unauthorized alteration of financial records directly violates data integrity. Controls like cryptographic hashing and strict write permissions preserve integrity.
3A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack overwhelms an e-commerce website, preventing legitimate users from completing purchases. Which security principle is directly violated?
A.Confidentiality
B.Integrity
C.Availability
D.Accountability
Explanation: Availability guarantees that systems, networks, and data are timely accessible to authorized users when needed. A DDoS attack disrupts service operations and renders systems unavailable, directly compromising availability. Redundancy and bandwidth filtering help preserve availability.
4What is the primary purpose of the ISO/IEC 27001 international standard?
A.To prescribe exact firewall configuration parameters for corporate IT networks
B.To provide a structured framework for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and improving an Information Security Management System (ISMS)
C.To certify individual software developers in secure coding practices
D.To define mandatory legal penalties for data breaches across EU member states
Explanation: ISO/IEC 27001 specifies requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an Information Security Management System (ISMS). It provides a systematic risk-management model applicable to organizations of any size or industry. It certified organizations, not individuals.
5What is an Information Security Management System (ISMS)?
A.A systematic approach consisting of policies, procedures, and controls to manage an organization's information risks
B.A standalone software program that automatically remediates network vulnerabilities
C.An external third-party service provider responsible for physical building security
D.A database containing list of authorized corporate user accounts and passwords
Explanation: An ISMS is a holistic, systematic management framework of policies, procedures, technical controls, and risk assessment processes designed to protect an organization's information assets. It aligns security practices with business objectives and risk appetite.
6What is the relationship between ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO/IEC 27002?
A.ISO 27001 specifies requirements for ISMS certification, while ISO 27002 offers best-practice guidance and implementation advice for security controls
B.ISO 27001 applies only to government entities, whereas ISO 27002 applies exclusively to commercial enterprises
C.ISO 27001 covers hardware security, while ISO 27002 covers software security exclusively
D.ISO 27001 has been replaced and fully superseded by ISO 27002
Explanation: ISO/IEC 27001 defines mandatory requirements for an ISMS against which organizations can be formally audited and certified. ISO/IEC 27002 serves as a practical code of practice providing guidance on selecting and implementing specific information security controls.
7How does ISO/IEC 27001 define an 'information asset'?
A.Anything that has value to the organization and therefore requires protection
B.Exclusively physical hardware devices such as servers and workstations
C.Only financial documents and accounting records stored in digital format
D.Public marketing materials made freely accessible on the company website
Explanation: An information asset is defined as anything of value to the organization, including digital data, physical paper records, software, hardware, intellectual property, brand reputation, and human expertise. Protection requirements depend on asset value and risk exposure.
8What is the main purpose of classifying information assets within an organization?
A.To assign appropriate levels of security protection based on sensitivity and business value
B.To calculate tax liability for physical hardware stored in data centers
C.To enable public search engines to index internal company documents
D.To automatically delete old files after 30 days of creation
Explanation: Information classification categorizes data (e.g., Public, Internal, Confidential, Restricted) according to its sensitivity and business impact. This allows organizations to apply cost-effective, proportional security controls to protect high-value and sensitive data without over-burdening routine information.
9In information security risk management, how is 'Risk' defined?
A.The combination of the likelihood of a threat exploiting a vulnerability and the resulting business impact
B.Any weakness or flaw present in an operating system or application
C.An external malicious actor attempting to break into a network
D.The total monetary cost of purchasing anti-virus software licenses
Explanation: Risk represents the potential effect of uncertainty on objectives. In security, it is evaluated as the product or combination of the likelihood that a threat agent will exploit a vulnerability and the severity of impact on the organization.
10What is the primary goal of conducting an information security risk assessment?
A.To identify, analyze, and evaluate security risks so that appropriate controls can be selected
B.To penalize employees who fail quarterly compliance quizzes
C.To prove to customers that an organization has zero remaining security risks
D.To replace internal IT staff with external security consultants
Explanation: Risk assessment systematically identifies information assets, threats, vulnerabilities, likelihoods, and potential impacts. This enables decision-makers to prioritize risks and select cost-effective controls that reduce risk to an acceptable level.

About the EXIN Information Security Essentials Exam

The EXIN Information Security Essentials based on ISO/IEC 27001 certification validates essential awareness and practical knowledge of information security principles. Designed for all professionals who work with confidential information, it covers the CIA triad, cybersecurity threats, password security, physical and workstation security, mobile working, incident reporting, and data privacy principles under GDPR.

Questions

20 scored questions

Time Limit

30 minutes

Passing Score

65% (13 of 20)

Exam Fee

$180 (€150) (EXIN)

EXIN Information Security Essentials Exam Content Outline

~25%

ISO/IEC 27001 Information Security Fundamentals

CIA triad (confidentiality, integrity, availability), ISMS concepts, asset classification, ISO/IEC 27001/27002 overview, and security governance.

~25%

Threat Landscape, Human Risk & Password Management

Malware types (viruses, ransomware, spyware), social engineering, phishing detection, human error risks, password security, and multi-factor authentication.

~25%

Physical Security, Mobile Working & Access Control

Physical access controls, clean desk and clear screen policies, mobile device security, remote working practices, identity management, and authorization.

~25%

Incident Reporting, Data Protection & Security Policies

Security incident identification and reporting, GDPR and privacy concepts, handling personal data, security policy compliance, and basic business continuity.

How to Pass the EXIN Information Security Essentials Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 65% (13 of 20)
  • Exam length: 20 questions
  • Time limit: 30 minutes
  • Exam fee: $180 (€150)

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

EXIN Information Security Essentials Study Tips from Top Performers

1Memorize the definitions of Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability (the CIA triad).
2Understand the difference between threats, vulnerabilities, and security risks.
3Learn common social engineering techniques including phishing, pretexting, and shoulder surfing.
4Know the core elements of a strong password policy and the purpose of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).
5Familiarize yourself with clean desk and clear screen policies for maintaining physical workspace security.
6Understand the basic requirements for secure mobile and remote working.
7Know the immediate steps required when a security incident or suspected data breach occurs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the format of the EXIN Information Security Essentials exam?

The exam consists of 20 closed-book multiple-choice questions with a time limit of 30 minutes. To pass, candidates must achieve a score of at least 65% (13 out of 20 correct answers).

What topics are covered on the EXIN Information Security Essentials exam?

The exam covers four equal domains (~25% each): ISO/IEC 27001 Fundamentals, Threat Landscape & Password Management, Physical Security & Access Control, and Incident Reporting & Data Protection.

Are there any prerequisites for taking this exam?

No. There are no formal prerequisites or mandatory training requirements, making it accessible to professionals across all business roles.

How much does the EXIN Information Security Essentials exam cost?

The exam fee is €150 (approximately $180 USD), subject to local taxes and exam provider region.

Does the EXIN Information Security Essentials certification expire?

No. Once earned, the certification is valid for life and does not require periodic renewal or recertification maintenance.