This CISM practice question tests your understanding of information security risk management. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
After implementing controls, an organization reassesses a risk and finds that the residual risk level exceeds the established risk tolerance. What is the most appropriate next step?
Re-assess the risk using a different methodology
Why wrong: Methodology change does not address the actual risk.
Lower the risk tolerance to match the residual risk
Why wrong: Tolerance should not be arbitrarily adjusted.
Seek management approval for acceptance or implement additional controls
This aligns with risk management process.
Ignore the residual risk since controls are already in place
Why wrong: Residual risk must be managed.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Seek management approval for acceptance or implement additional controls
Option C is correct because the organization must decide to either accept (with authorization) or further treat the risk. Option A is wrong because ignoring is not acceptable. Option B is wrong because lowering tolerance without justification is not appropriate. Option D is wrong because re-assessment alone does not resolve the issue.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Re-assess the risk using a different methodology
Why it's wrong here
Methodology change does not address the actual risk.
Lower the risk tolerance to match the residual risk
Why it's wrong here
Tolerance should not be arbitrarily adjusted.
Seek management approval for acceptance or implement additional controls
Why this is correct
This aligns with risk management process.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
Ignore the residual risk since controls are already in place
Why it's wrong here
Residual risk must be managed.
Common exam traps
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
A junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
What to study next
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related CISM questions on access control and AAA configuration.
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FAQ
Information Security Risk Management — This question tests Information Security Risk Management — Authentication checks who the user is..
The correct answer is: Seek management approval for acceptance or implement additional controls — Option C is correct because the organization must decide to either accept (with authorization) or further treat the risk. Option A is wrong because ignoring is not acceptable. Option B is wrong because lowering tolerance without justification is not appropriate. Option D is wrong because re-assessment alone does not resolve the issue.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related CISM questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Authentication checks who the user is.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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