CISA Domain 5: Encryption & PKI Controls

This episode is part of the CISA Audit Judgment Series — a structured, scenario-based learning path focused on Domains 4 and 5, the most heavily tested sections of the CISA exam.

In this episode, we examine a scenario where TLS encryption is enabled — but certificate validation is disabled. The connection is encrypted, but authentication is nonexistent. This reveals a critical misunderstanding in many organizations: encryption alone does not guarantee secure communication.

You’ll learn:

✔ Why encryption alone is NOT sufficient

✔ Why CISA tests PKI, trust chains, and certificate validation

✔ How junior auditors interpret encryption vs. how audit leaders evaluate authenticity

✔ What evidence auditors should review for encryption and PKI controls

✔ How to assess certificate validation, hostname checks, and PKI governance

✔ What CISA is actually testing in encryption-related exam questions

✔ The risk implications when encrypted traffic is unauthenticated

This episode blends CISA exam reasoning with real audit leadership, helping you think like an auditor — not a technician.

If you’re preparing for CISA or sharpening your audit judgment,

explore the CISA Gold Standard Series by M.G. Vance on Amazon.

📘 Amazon link: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FX526S3V⁠

We don’t just help you pass.

We prepare you to become formidable in the field.