Based on lest results, an IT auditor concluded that the organization would suffer unacceptable loss of data if there was a disaster at its data center. Which of the following test results would likely lead the auditor to this conclusion?
A.
Requested backup tapes were not returned from the offsite vendor In a timely manner.
B.
Returned backup tapes from the offsite vendor contained empty spaces.
C.
Critical systems have boon backed up more frequently than required.
D.
Critical system backup tapes are taken off site less frequently than required
Understanding IT Backup Risks in Disaster Recovery:
Disaster recovery plans rely on backup data to restore operations after a system failure.
An ineffective backup system increases the risk of data loss, operational downtime, and regulatory non-compliance.
Why Option B (Empty Backup Tapes) Is Correct?
If backup tapes contain empty spaces, it indicates data corruption or incomplete backups, leading to unrecoverable data loss in a disaster.
IIA GTAG 16 – Data Management and IT Auditing emphasizes that backups must be tested for integrity and completeness.
ISO 27001 and NIST SP 800-34 recommend periodic verification of backup data to prevent critical failures.
Why Other Options Are Incorrect?
Option A (Delayed return of backup tapes):
While delayed tape retrieval affects recovery speed, it does not indicate data loss.
Option C (More frequent backups than required):
Frequent backups improve data protection, not cause unacceptable loss.
Option D (Less frequent offsite backups):
While infrequent backups increase risk, they do not directly indicate data loss upon testing.
Backup tapes containing empty spaces indicate potential data loss, making it the most critical disaster recovery risk.
IIA GTAG 16, ISO 27001, and NIST SP 800-34 highlight the need for validated backup integrity.
Final Justification:IIA References:
IIA GTAG 16 – Data Management and IT Auditing
ISO 27001 – Information Security Backup Standards
NIST SP 800-34 – Contingency Planning for IT Systems
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