- A
Accept the risk because the mitigation cost is higher than the ALE
Why wrong: Mitigation cost ($35,000) is actually lower than ALE ($50,000), so acceptance is not the best choice.
- B
Avoid the risk by discontinuing the activity
Why wrong: Avoidance may not be necessary if mitigation is feasible and cost-effective.
- C
Transfer the risk by purchasing cyber insurance
Why wrong: Transfer might be considered, but mitigation is more cost-effective in this scenario.
- D
Mitigate the risk by implementing the control
Since the mitigation cost is less than the ALE, it is cost-effective to mitigate.
Question 74 of 1,000
200-201 Security Policies and Procedures Practice Question
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of security policies and procedures. Compare every option against the stated constraints before choosing — the best answer satisfies all requirements, not just the most obvious one. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
During a risk assessment, a company identifies that the annualized loss expectancy (ALE) for a specific threat is $50,000. The cost to implement a mitigation control is $30,000 with an annual maintenance cost of $5,000. According to risk management principles, what is the most appropriate risk treatment option?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Mitigate the risk by implementing the control
If the cost of mitigation ($30,000 + $5,000 = $35,000) is less than the ALE ($50,000), it is cost-effective to mitigate the risk.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Accept the risk because the mitigation cost is higher than the ALE
Why it's wrong here
Mitigation cost ($35,000) is actually lower than ALE ($50,000), so acceptance is not the best choice.
- ✗
Avoid the risk by discontinuing the activity
Why it's wrong here
Avoidance may not be necessary if mitigation is feasible and cost-effective.
- ✗
Transfer the risk by purchasing cyber insurance
Why it's wrong here
Transfer might be considered, but mitigation is more cost-effective in this scenario.
- ✓
Mitigate the risk by implementing the control
Why this is correct
Since the mitigation cost is less than the ALE, it is cost-effective to mitigate.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
Transfer might be considered, but mitigation is more cost-effective in this scenario.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 200-201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which 200-201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
- →
Security Policies and Procedures — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Security Policies and Procedures practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All 200-201 questions
1,000 questions across all exam domains
- →
Cisco CyberOps Associate 200-201 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
200-201 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related 200-201 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Security Monitoring practice questions
Practise 200-201 questions linked to Security Monitoring.
Network Intrusion Analysis practice questions
Practise 200-201 questions linked to Network Intrusion Analysis.
Security Policies and Procedures practice questions
Practise 200-201 questions linked to Security Policies and Procedures.
Host-Based Analysis practice questions
Practise 200-201 questions linked to Host-Based Analysis.
Security Concepts practice questions
Practise 200-201 questions linked to Security Concepts.
200-201 fundamentals practice questions
Practise 200-201 questions linked to 200-201 fundamentals.
200-201 scenario practice questions
Practise 200-201 questions linked to 200-201 scenario.
200-201 troubleshooting practice questions
Practise 200-201 questions linked to 200-201 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free 200-201 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-201 question test?
Security Policies and Procedures — This question tests Security Policies and Procedures — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Mitigate the risk by implementing the control — If the cost of mitigation ($30,000 + $5,000 = $35,000) is less than the ALE ($50,000), it is cost-effective to mitigate the risk.
What should I do if I get this 200-201 question wrong?
Identify which 200-201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This 200-201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-201 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.