ISACA Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) ExamDomain 3: Information Systems Acquisition, Development and ImplementationMedium
An IS auditor is reviewing controls over system acquisition for a new cloud-based human resources (HR) platform. The organization plans to integrate this platform with its existing on-premise payroll system. Which of the following is the MOST critical consideration for the IS auditor at this stage?
- AThe service level agreement (SLA) terms regarding system uptime and performance.
- BThe compatibility and interoperability between the cloud HR and on-premise payroll systems.
- CThe vendor's financial stability and long-term viability.
- DThe security and privacy controls offered by the cloud provider.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. The compatibility and interoperability between the cloud HR and on-premise payroll systems.
The scenario specifically highlights the need to 'integrate this platform with its existing on-premise payroll system.' Therefore, the MOST critical consideration becomes ensuring the compatibility and interoperability between these two disparate systems, as a failure here would render the integration ineffective and the overall solution unusable.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. SLA terms are important for operational performance, but they don't address the fundamental ability of the systems to communicate and exchange data.
- C. Vendor viability is important for any acquisition, but the specific integration challenge makes compatibility more critical in this scenario.
- D. Security and privacy are paramount for any cloud system, especially HR, but the integration aspect is the unique and most immediate challenge presented.
System Interoperability
The ability of different information systems or software applications to communicate, exchange data, and use the information that has been exchanged effectively.
- Crucial for integrated solutions.
- Ensures seamless data flow.
- Prevents data silos and manual reconciliation.
Memory trick: Cloud to ground: make sure they 'TALK'!