Isaca CDPSE Practice Exam Questions & Answers
7 Free Questions
· Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
· Prepared & Reviewed by the ValidExamDumps Editorial Team
Exam Facts
Isaca CDPSE Exam Details
Key details for this exam, checked against the published exam outline
247
Practice Questions (Our Bank)
210 minutes
Exam Duration
450 out of 800
Passing Score
- Exam Code
- CDPSE
- Full Name
- Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer
- Issuing Body
- ISACA
- Question Format (Our Bank)
- Multiple Choice
- Official Exam Fee
- USD 575 (ISACA members) / USD 760 (non-members)
- Delivery
- Computer-based at authorized PSI testing centers globally or as remotely proctored exams
- Eligibility
- Three or more years of professional work experience in at least two of the CDPSE exam content outline domain areas within the past 10 years. No substitutions or experience waivers available. Candidates may take the exam in advance of meeting the experienc
- Validity
- Lifetime
Practice Questions
Free CDPSE Practice Questions
Each question shows the correct answer and an explanation of why it is right
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When choosing data sources to be used within a big data architecture, which of the following data attributes MUST be considered to ensure data is not aggregated?
Correct Answer:
B
Which of the following is a role PRIMARILY assigned to an internal data owner?
Correct Answer:
B
Explanation
The role primarily assigned to an internal data owner is authorizing access rights. A data owner is a person or a role within the organization who has the authority and responsibility for the data assets under their control. A data owner is responsible for defining the data classification, data quality, data retention, and data security requirements for their data assets. A data owner is also responsible for granting, revoking, and reviewing the access rights to their data assets based on the principle of least privilege and the business needs. A data owner is accountable for ensuring that the data assets are used in compliance with the organizational policies and the applicable laws and regulations.Reference:
[ISACA Glossary of Terms]
[ISACA CDPSE Review Manual, Chapter 3, Section 3.2.1]
[ISACA CDPSE Review Manual, Chapter 3, Section 3.2.2]
[ISACA CDPSE Review Manual, Chapter 3, Section 3.2.3]
Which of the following is MOST likely to present a valid use case for keeping a customer's personal data after contract termination?
Correct Answer:
C
Explanation
Data retention is a process of keeping personal data for a specified period of time for legitimate purposes, such as legal obligations, contractual agreements, business operations or historical records. Data retention should be based on the principle of data minimization, which requires limiting the collection, storage and processing of personal data to what is necessary and relevant for the intended purposes. Data retention should also comply with the principle of storage limitation, which requires deleting or disposing of personal data when it is no longer needed or justified. The most likely valid use case for keeping a customer's personal data after contract termination is a required retention period due to regulations, such as tax laws, financial laws, health laws or consumer protection laws, that mandate the organization to retain certain types of customer data for a certain period of time after the end of the contractual relationship. The other options are not valid use cases for keeping a customer's personal data after contract termination, as they do not meet the criteria of necessity, relevance or justification. For the purpose of medical research, the organization would need to obtain the consent of the customer or have another legal basis for processing their personal data for a different purpose than the original contract. A forthcoming campaign to win back customers or ease of onboarding when the customer returns are not legitimate purposes for retaining customer data after contract termination, as they are not related to the original contract and may violate the customer's privacy rights and preferences. , p. 99-100Reference:: CDPSE Review Manual (Digital Version)
Which of the following activities would BEST enable an organization to identify gaps in its privacy posture?
Correct Answer:
D, D
Before executive leadership approves a new data privacy policy, it is MOST important to ensure:
Correct Answer:
D
Explanation
A legal review is the most important thing to ensure before executive leadership approves a new data privacy policy, as it would help to verify and validate the accuracy, completeness and compliance of the policy with the applicable laws and regulations that govern the collection, use, disclosure and transfer of personal data. A legal review would also help to identify and address any gaps, inconsistencies or conflicts in the policy, and to provide legal advice or guidance on the implementation and enforcement of the policy. The other options are not as important as a legal review in ensuring before executive leadership approves a new data privacy policy. A training program is a method of educating and informing the employees and stakeholders about the new data privacy policy, its objectives, requirements and implications, but it does not ensure the quality or compliance of the policy itself. A privacy committee is a group of individuals who are responsible for overseeing, monitoring and evaluating the organization's data privacy program, policies and practices, but it does not ensure the quality or compliance of the policy itself.A distribution methodology is a method of disseminating and communicating the new data privacy policy to the employees and stakeholders, such as email, intranet, website or newsletter, but it does not ensure the quality or compliance of the policy itself1, p.98Reference:1: CDPSE Review Manual (Digital Version)
Which of the following BEST ensures an effective data privacy policy is implemented?
Correct Answer:
C
Explanation
The best way to ensure an effective data privacy policy is implemented is to align regulatory requirements with business needs, because this will help achieve compliance while also supporting the organization's objectives, values, and strategies. A data privacy policy should reflect the legal obligations and expectations of the organization, as well as the needs and preferences of its stakeholders, such as customers, employees, partners, and regulators.A data privacy policy should also be flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances and environments12.
CDPSE Exam Content Outline, Domain 1 -- Privacy Governance (Governance, Management & Risk Management), Task 3: Participate in the evaluation of privacy policies, programs and policies for their alignment with legal requirements, regulatory requirements and/or industry best practices3.
CDPSE Review Manual, Chapter 1 -- Privacy Governance, Section 1.2 -- Privacy Policy4.
Using hash values With stored personal data BEST enables an organization to
Correct Answer:
B
Explanation
Using hash values with stored personal data best enables an organization to detect changes to the data, because hash values are unique and fixed outputs that are generated from the data using a mathematical algorithm. If the data is altered in any way, even by a single bit, the hash value will change dramatically. Therefore, by comparing the current hash value of the data with the original or expected hash value, the organization can verify the integrity and authenticity of the data. If the hash values match, it means that the data has not been tampered with. If the hash values differ, it means that the data has been corrupted or modified.
Ensuring Data Integrity with Hash Codes, Microsoft Learn
What is 'hashing,' and does it help avoid the obligations imposed by the new privacy regulations?, Data Privacy Dish
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Domain 1: PRIVACY GOVERNANCE
20%
Covers personal information handling, privacy principles like privacy by design and consent, and privacy laws and regulations. Also includes organizational structures, vendor management, incident response, and data subject rights.
Sample questions from this domain above:
Q2Q5
Domain 2: PRIVACY RISK MANAGEMENT AND COMPLIANCE
18%
Focuses on risk assessment processes, privacy impact assessments, and training programs. Addresses privacy frameworks, evidence collection, monitoring and metrics, and compliance verification.
Sample questions from this domain above:
Q4Q6
Domain 3: DATA LIFE CYCLE MANAGEMENT
23%
Covers data inventory, classification, quality and use limitation across the data lifecycle. Includes data minimization, retention policies, disclosure and transfer procedures, and secure destruction practices.
Sample question from this domain above:
Q3
Domain 4: PRIVACY ENGINEERING
39%
The largest domain, addressing technology infrastructure, cloud computing and legacy systems. Includes identity and access management, encryption, logging, consent tagging, anonymization techniques, and privacy-enhancing technologies like differential privacy and federated learning.
Sample questions from this domain above:
Q1Q7
FAQ
CDPSE Exam FAQ
Common questions about the exam itself
What experience do I need before taking the CDPSE exam?
You need at least three years of professional work experience in at least two of the four exam domains within the past ten years. This experience must be verified by a supervisor or manager. No substitutions or waivers exist, though you can sit the exam before meeting the experience requirement. Certification is awarded only after you satisfy the requirement.
How long does it take to prepare for CDPSE?
Most candidates need 50 to 150 hours of study time, depending on their background in privacy and security. Those with prior related certifications or hands-on privacy experience typically need less time than career changers moving into privacy engineering.
Why is Privacy Engineering weighted so heavily at 39 percent?
CDPSE validates technical skills in building privacy solutions. Privacy Engineering covers the technology stacks, security controls, and privacy-enhancing technologies that candidates actually implement on the job, making it the largest part of the exam.
What score do I need to pass CDPSE?
The exam is scored on a scale from 200 to 800. You need a scaled score of 450 or higher to pass. The exam has 120 questions, so you don't need to answer every question correctly.
How is CDPSE different from CISA or CISM?
CDPSE focuses specifically on the technical and engineering aspects of privacy implementation. CISA covers IT audit and general IT control, while CISM addresses information security management. CDPSE is the technical privacy credential in ISACA's portfolio.
What happens if I fail CDPSE?
You have three retake attempts available. Each retake requires a new exam fee. Scores remain confidential and you can apply for certification within five years of passing.
How long does my CDPSE certification stay valid?
Your certification remains valid for three years. To keep it active, you must pay an annual maintenance fee (USD 45 for members, USD 85 for non-members) and earn 20 continuing professional education credits each year, totaling 120 credits across the three-year period.
What job titles does CDPSE prepare me for?
CDPSE holders typically move into roles like Privacy Engineer, Data Protection Officer, Privacy Architect, Compliance Specialist, or Privacy Analyst. The certification demonstrates you can assess, design and implement privacy controls across systems and data flows.
Can I take CDPSE remotely?
Yes. The exam is delivered computer-based either at authorized PSI testing centers worldwide or through remote proctoring. You can schedule an appointment as early as 48 hours after paying your exam fee.
Do I need to be an ISACA member to sit CDPSE?
No, membership is optional. However, ISACA members pay USD 575 for the exam while non-members pay USD 760. Both must pay a USD 50 application fee after passing to apply for certification.
