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100+ Free EXIN ISFS Practice Questions

Pass your EXIN Information Security Foundation (ISO/IEC 27001) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: EXIN ISFS Exam

40

Exam Questions

EXIN

60 min

Exam Duration

EXIN

65%

Passing Score (26/40)

EXIN

Lifetime

Certification Validity

EXIN

ISO/IEC 27001 & 27002

Standard Basis

EXIN

4 domains

Syllabus Areas

EXIN ISFS Preparation Guide

The EXIN ISFS exam contains 40 closed-book multiple-choice questions to be completed in 60 minutes. A score of 65% (26 correct answers) is required to pass. The exam is structured across four domain areas: Information Security Concepts (~25%), Threats and Risk Management (~30%), Physical/Technical/Organisational Measures (~25%), and Legislation and Compliance (~20%). It is an ISO 17024-accredited certification awarded by EXIN and does not expire.

Sample EXIN ISFS Practice Questions

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

1Which three properties form the CIA triad that underpins the EXIN Information Security Foundation syllabus?
A.Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability
B.Confidentiality, Identification, and Authorization
C.Control, Integrity, and Authentication
D.Compliance, Integrity, and Accountability
Explanation: The CIA triad — Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability — is the foundational model for information security. Confidentiality ensures only authorised parties access information; Integrity ensures information is accurate and complete; Availability ensures authorised users can access information when needed. ISO/IEC 27001 is built around protecting these three properties.
2What is the primary purpose of ISO/IEC 27001?
A.To provide a framework for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and improving an Information Security Management System (ISMS)
B.To define the technical controls organisations must use to prevent data breaches
C.To certify individual security professionals in information security best practices
D.To establish the legal requirements for data protection in EU member states
Explanation: ISO/IEC 27001 is the international standard specifying requirements for an Information Security Management System (ISMS). It provides a risk-based framework that organisations follow to establish, implement, maintain, and continually improve information security. Certification is available for organisations, not individuals.
3Which term describes the likelihood that a specific threat will exploit a vulnerability and cause harm?
A.Risk
B.Impact
C.Hazard
D.Control
Explanation: Risk is defined as the combination of the probability that a threat exploits a vulnerability and the resulting impact (harm). ISO/IEC 27001 uses a risk-based approach: organisations identify risks, analyse them, and apply controls to reduce them to an acceptable level.
4In information security, what is the difference between a threat and a vulnerability?
A.A threat is a potential cause of harm; a vulnerability is a weakness that can be exploited by a threat
B.A threat is a confirmed attack; a vulnerability is a probable attack
C.A threat is an internal risk; a vulnerability is an external risk
D.A threat is a technical weakness; a vulnerability is a human error
Explanation: A threat is a potential cause of an unwanted incident that may harm an asset (e.g., malware, fire, insider misuse). A vulnerability is a weakness in an asset or control that could be exploited by a threat to cause harm. Together with impact, they define risk within the ISO/IEC 27001 framework.
5An organisation classifies its information based on sensitivity. Which classification term typically indicates the highest level of restriction in a government context?
A.Public
B.Internal
C.Confidential
D.Top Secret
Explanation: In government information classification schemes, Top Secret represents the highest level of restriction — unauthorised disclosure would cause exceptionally grave damage to national security. Below that are typically Secret, Confidential, and Unclassified/Public. Commercial organisations often use analogous levels like Public, Internal, Confidential, and Strictly Confidential.
6Which of the following is the best definition of an Information Security Management System (ISMS)?
A.A systematic approach to managing sensitive information using people, processes, and technology to protect it
B.A software platform that monitors network traffic for intrusions
C.A legal document that defines an organisation's data retention obligations
D.A hardware firewall appliance that enforces security policies at the network perimeter
Explanation: An ISMS is a holistic, risk-based management framework that governs how an organisation protects its information assets using people, processes, and technology. It is not limited to technical tools. ISO/IEC 27001 specifies the requirements for establishing and certifying an ISMS.
7Non-repudiation is a security property that ensures which of the following?
A.A sender cannot deny having sent a message or performed an action
B.Information is only accessible to authorised parties
C.Data is protected against unauthorised modification
D.Systems remain operational during a security incident
Explanation: Non-repudiation ensures that the originator of an action or message cannot later deny having performed it. It is typically achieved through digital signatures and audit logging. Non-repudiation supports accountability and is essential for legal and compliance purposes.
8Which concept requires that employees are given only the minimum access permissions needed to perform their job functions?
A.Least privilege
B.Separation of duties
C.Job rotation
D.Dual control
Explanation: The least privilege principle states that users, systems, and processes should have access only to what they need to perform their authorised functions. This limits the blast radius if credentials are compromised and reduces insider threat risk. It is a core organisational and technical control in ISO/IEC 27002.
9An organisation's board approves a high-level document stating its commitment to protecting information assets and outlining roles and responsibilities. What is this document called?
A.Information Security Policy
B.Risk Register
C.Business Impact Analysis
D.Statement of Applicability
Explanation: The Information Security Policy is a top-level management document that expresses an organisation's commitment to information security, defines objectives, assigns roles and responsibilities, and sets out the principles that guide more detailed policies and procedures. ISO/IEC 27001 Clause 5.2 requires organisations to establish such a policy.
10What does the term 'information asset' encompass in an ISO/IEC 27001 context?
A.Anything of value to an organisation including data, software, hardware, people, and processes
B.Only intellectual property registered with a patent office
C.Only digital data stored on servers and databases
D.Only documents that have been formally classified as Confidential or above
Explanation: An information asset is anything that has value to the organisation and must be protected. This includes digital and physical data, databases, software, IT infrastructure, facilities, people, and organisational processes. ISO/IEC 27001 requires organisations to identify and maintain an inventory of all information assets.

About the EXIN ISFS Exam

The EXIN Information Security Foundation (ISFS) is an entry-level certification based on ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO/IEC 27002. It validates foundational knowledge of information security concepts (CIA triad, assets, classification), threats and risk management (malware, social engineering, risk treatment), physical/technical/organisational security measures (firewalls, encryption, backups, access controls), and legislation and compliance (GDPR, data subject rights, intellectual property).

Questions

40 scored questions

Time Limit

60 minutes

Passing Score

65% (26 of 40)

Exam Fee

Varies by region and provider; typically bundled with accredited ISFS training (EXIN)

EXIN ISFS Exam Content Outline

~25%

Information Security Concepts

CIA triad (confidentiality, integrity, availability), information assets and classification, ISMS fundamentals, ISO/IEC 27001 and 27002 overview, non-repudiation, and security governance

~30%

Threats and Risk Management

Malware types (virus, worm, Trojan, ransomware, spyware), social engineering (phishing, pretexting, baiting), DoS/DDoS, risk concepts, risk assessment process, risk treatment options

~25%

Physical, Technical, and Organisational Measures

Physical access controls, firewalls, VPNs, IDS/IPS, encryption (symmetric/asymmetric), PKI, authentication and MFA, backup strategies, patch management, awareness training, BCP/RTO/RPO

~20%

Legislation and Compliance

GDPR principles, lawful bases for processing, data subject rights, controller and processor roles, breach notification, international data transfers, intellectual property law, Statement of Applicability

How to Pass the EXIN ISFS Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 65% (26 of 40)
  • Exam length: 40 questions
  • Time limit: 60 minutes
  • Exam fee: Varies by region and provider; typically bundled with accredited ISFS training

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 ISFS Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master the CIA triad definitions precisely: Confidentiality (authorised access only), Integrity (accurate and unaltered), Availability (accessible when needed)
2Learn to distinguish threats (potential causes of harm) from vulnerabilities (weaknesses) from risks (combination of threat, vulnerability, and impact)
3Know all four risk treatment options: avoidance, reduction, transfer, and acceptance — and an example of each
4Understand the GDPR's six lawful bases for processing, the 72-hour breach notification rule, and the roles of controller vs processor vs DPO
5Distinguish control types: preventive (stops incidents), detective (identifies incidents), corrective (restores after incidents) — with physical, technical, and organisational variants
6Remember the ISO/IEC 27001 clauses: Clause 5 (Leadership), Clause 6 (Planning / risk assessment), Clause 9 (Internal audit), Clause 10 (Improvement)
7Know that the Statement of Applicability (SoA) lists Annex A controls with inclusion/exclusion justifications, and that residual risk must be accepted by management

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the EXIN ISFS exam format?

The EXIN Information Security Foundation (ISFS) exam consists of 40 closed-book multiple-choice questions to be completed in 60 minutes. A score of at least 65% (26 correct answers out of 40) is required to pass. The exam is available through EXIN-accredited test centres and EXIN's own online proctoring platform.

What topics are covered in the EXIN ISFS exam?

The ISFS syllabus is based on ISO/IEC 27001 and covers four domain areas: Information Security Concepts (~25%), including the CIA triad and ISMS fundamentals; Threats and Risk Management (~30%), including malware, social engineering, and risk treatment; Physical, Technical, and Organisational Measures (~25%), including firewalls, encryption, and backup; and Legislation and Compliance (~20%), including GDPR, data subject rights, and intellectual property.

Does the EXIN ISFS certification expire?

No, the EXIN Information Security Foundation certificate does not have an expiry date and does not require renewal or continuing education. It is a lifetime credential once awarded.

What are the prerequisites for the EXIN ISFS exam?

There are no formal prerequisites for the EXIN ISFS. It is designed as an entry-level information security credential accessible to professionals with basic IT or business knowledge. The standard preparation route is an accredited 2-day training course, though self-study using EXIN's official preparation guide is also permitted.

How does the EXIN ISFS relate to ISO/IEC 27001?

The EXIN ISFS is fully based on ISO/IEC 27001 (the ISMS requirements standard) and ISO/IEC 27002 (the information security controls guidance). Passing the ISFS demonstrates foundational knowledge of these standards' concepts and terminology. The EXIN Information Security Management Professional (ISMP) is the natural next step for deeper implementation knowledge.