The answer is to remediate the vulnerability. This is the correct risk treatment decision because the cost of remediation ($500,000) is significantly lower than the potential loss if exploited ($2,000,000), making direct remediation the most cost-effective response. In risk management, when the cost to fix a threat is less than the expected financial impact, the organization should prioritize remediation to reduce residual risk to an acceptable level. On the CompTIA SecurityX CAS-004 exam, this concept tests your ability to perform a quantitative risk analysis by comparing the remediation cost against the single loss expectancy; a common trap is to default to risk transfer or acceptance without doing the math. Remember the memory tip: “If the fix costs less than the crash, spend the cash—don’t pass or stash.”
CAS-004 Governance, Risk and Compliance Practice Question
This CAS-004 practice question tests your understanding of governance, risk and compliance. 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.
An organization is evaluating risk treatment options for a critical vulnerability with a CVSS score of 9.8. The cost to remediate is $500,000, and the potential loss if exploited is estimated at $2,000,000. Which risk response is most appropriate?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Remediate the vulnerability
With a CVSS score of 9.8 (critical) and a potential loss of $2,000,000, the cost to remediate ($500,000) is significantly lower than the expected loss. Remediation reduces the risk to an acceptable residual level, making it the most cost-effective response. This aligns with the principle that when the cost of remediation is less than the potential loss, the organization should directly fix the vulnerability.
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.
✗
Transfer the risk through cyber insurance
Why it's wrong here
Insurance may cover loss but does not reduce the likelihood of exploitation.
✗
Accept the risk
Why it's wrong here
Accepting a critical vulnerability with high potential loss is not prudent.
✗
Avoid the risk by decommissioning the affected system
Why it's wrong here
Decommissioning may not be feasible and is an extreme measure.
✓
Remediate the vulnerability
Why this is correct
Remediation cost is lower than expected loss, making it the best option.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the misconception that a high CVSS score automatically justifies acceptance or transfer, but the key is comparing the cost of remediation against the potential loss to determine the most appropriate risk response.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The CVSS 9.8 score indicates a network-exploitable vulnerability with no authentication required and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (e.g., a remote code execution flaw in a public-facing service). The decision to remediate is based on a quantitative risk analysis: Annualized Loss Expectancy (ALE) = Single Loss Expectancy (SLE) × Annual Rate of Occurrence (ARO); here, even a single exploitation event (ARO=1) yields a net benefit of $1,500,000 by remediating ($2,000,000 loss - $500,000 cost). In practice, organizations use a cost-benefit analysis to compare the Net Present Value (NPV) of remediation versus the expected loss, and remediation is chosen when the cost is less than the risk reduction benefit.
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.
TExam Day Tips
→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 CAS-004 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 exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Governance, Risk and Compliance — This question tests Governance, Risk and Compliance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Remediate the vulnerability — With a CVSS score of 9.8 (critical) and a potential loss of $2,000,000, the cost to remediate ($500,000) is significantly lower than the expected loss. Remediation reduces the risk to an acceptable residual level, making it the most cost-effective response. This aligns with the principle that when the cost of remediation is less than the potential loss, the organization should directly fix the vulnerability.
What should I do if I get this CAS-004 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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