CRISC Information Technology and Security — 10 Questions

Question 1

A risk manager is calculating the probable financial impact of a ransomware attack using the FAIR model. Which factor is MOST critical to estimate the annual loss exposure?

Accepted Answer

Threat event frequency. In the FAIR model, annual loss exposure (ALE) is calculated as threat event frequency multiplied by probable loss magnitude. Threat event frequency is the most critical factor because it directly drives how often losses occur, and without an accurate estimate of how frequently ransomware attacks are expected, any loss magnitude estimate becomes meaningless for annualizing exposure.

Answer

Recovery time objective (RTO)

Answer

Cost of cyber insurance premium

Answer

Number of affected systems

Question 2

The risk committee is reviewing a cyber risk quantification report that uses the FAIR model. The report estimates the annualized loss expectancy (ALE) for a ransomware attack as $2.5 million. The committee asks the risk manager to explain the key components used to derive this figure. Which of the following is the MOST important factor in the FAIR model for calculating ALE?

Accepted Answer

Annualized rate of occurrence (ARO) and single loss expectancy (SLE). The FAIR model calculates ALE using Loss Event Frequency (LEF) and Loss Magnitude (LM), not ARO and SLE which are used in NIST 800-30. None of the provided options correctly identify the key components of the FAIR model. Option D is incorrect because it uses the wrong terminology from a different framework.

Answer

Threat intelligence reports on ransomware gangs

Answer

Vulnerability severity scores (CVSS)

Answer

Historical loss data from industry benchmarks

Question 3

A large retail company is implementing a new cloud-based inventory management system. The system will store sensitive customer data and integrate with existing on-premises ERP. The risk manager is asked to identify the most critical risk to address in the shared responsibility model. Which risk is MOST likely to be overlooked?

Accepted Answer

Misconfiguration of access controls. In the shared responsibility model, the customer is responsible for data classification and access controls. Misconfiguration of access controls is a common overlooked risk that can lead to data breaches.

Answer

Vendor lock-in

Answer

Multi-tenancy isolation

Answer

Data sovereignty compliance

Question 4

An energy company is integrating its IT network with OT systems for real-time monitoring. The risk manager is assessing the expanded attack surface. Which risk should be given the HIGHEST priority due to its potential for physical consequences?

Accepted Answer

Manipulation of operational parameters leading to equipment damage. In OT environments, the highest priority risk involves safety implications and physical consequences, such as an attacker manipulating operational parameters to cause equipment damage or safety incidents.

Answer

Increased number of malware infections

Answer

Unauthorized access to corporate financial systems

Answer

Denial of service affecting IT services

Question 5

A risk manager is designing an IT risk management programme. Which document should be created FIRST to guide the overall approach to risk management?

Accepted Answer

Risk management policy. A risk management policy establishes the principles, objectives, and responsibilities for risk management, providing a foundation for all other risk management activities.

Answer

Risk treatment plan

Answer

Risk register

Answer

Risk assessment methodology

Question 6

A financial institution is adopting AI for credit scoring. The model is currently a black box and requires explainability for regulatory compliance. Which risk is MOST critical to address?

Accepted Answer

Lack of explainability. Regulated decisions require explainability. If the AI model cannot provide explanations, the institution risks regulatory non-compliance and potential legal challenges.

Answer

Model bias

Answer

Adversarial attacks

Answer

Data privacy in training

Question 7

During a solution architecture review, the Architecture Review Board (ARB) identifies that a new application communicates with a legacy system using plain text over a public network. Which risk treatment option is MOST appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Require encryption (e.g., TLS) for the communication. The risk of data exposure can be mitigated by implementing encryption, such as TLS, to protect data in transit.

Answer

Transfer the risk to a third-party vendor

Answer

Accept the risk because the legacy system cannot be changed

Answer

Decommission the legacy system immediately

Question 8

Which COBIT 2019 domain objective focuses on ensuring that risk is optimized through evaluation, direction, and monitoring?

Accepted Answer

EDM03 — Ensure Risk Optimization. EDM03 — Ensure Risk Optimization is the governance objective that addresses risk management evaluation, direction, and monitoring.

Answer

EDM01 — Ensure Governance Framework Setting and Maintenance

Answer

EDM02 — Ensure Benefits Delivery

Answer

EDM04 — Ensure Resource Optimization

Question 9

A hospital is deploying IoT medical devices that connect to the network. Which risk is MOST concerning from a cybersecurity perspective?

Accepted Answer

Expanded attack surface due to many devices. IoT devices expand the attack surface, and many medical devices have weak security, making them easy targets for attackers to gain network access.

Answer

Data sovereignty compliance

Answer

Firmware update challenges

Answer

Vendor lock-in

Question 10

A power utility is required to comply with NERC CIP standards. Which of the following is a primary objective of these standards?

Accepted Answer

Protect the reliability of the bulk electric system. NERC CIP standards aim to protect the reliability of the bulk electric system by securing critical cyber assets.

Answer

Standardize industrial control protocols

Answer

Reduce energy consumption

Answer

Ensure interoperability between IT and OT systems