The correct risk treatment strategy is to remediate the risk by implementing parameterized queries and input validation. This approach directly addresses the root cause of SQL injection by ensuring that user-supplied data is treated as data, not executable code, effectively separating SQL logic from input. In the CISM exam, this scenario tests your understanding of risk treatment options—specifically, that remediation (mitigation) is the appropriate choice when the risk is high and the control directly reduces likelihood, as opposed to acceptance, transfer, or avoidance. A common trap is selecting “accept the risk” for a high-likelihood, high-impact vulnerability, but CISM emphasizes that remediation is mandatory when a feasible technical control exists. Remember the mnemonic: “Queries parameterized, injections neutralized”—if you can fix the code, you must remediate, not just monitor.
CISM Information Security Risk Management Practice Question
This CISM practice question tests your understanding of information security risk management. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 has implemented a new web application that processes sensitive customer data. The risk assessment identified a high likelihood of SQL injection attacks due to insufficient input validation. Which of the following is the BEST risk treatment strategy?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Remediate the risk by implementing parameterized queries and input validation
Option C is correct because parameterized queries (prepared statements) and input validation directly address the root cause of SQL injection by separating SQL logic from user-supplied data. This is a remediation (mitigation) strategy that reduces the likelihood of exploitation to an acceptable level, which aligns with the high-risk scenario described.
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 by purchasing cyber insurance
Why it's wrong here
Transfer does not reduce the likelihood; it only shifts financial impact.
✗
Avoid the risk by discontinuing the web application
Why it's wrong here
Avoidance is too drastic and not necessary when remediation is possible.
✓
Remediate the risk by implementing parameterized queries and input validation
Why this is correct
This directly addresses the vulnerability and reduces the risk to an acceptable level.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Accept the risk because the likelihood is low after compensating controls
Why it's wrong here
Acceptance is not appropriate for a high-risk vulnerability that can be remediated.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse risk transfer (insurance) with risk mitigation, or they incorrectly assume that accepting risk is a default option when the scenario clearly indicates a high-likelihood, high-impact vulnerability that can be directly fixed with a standard coding practice.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Parameterized queries work by pre-compiling the SQL statement structure and then binding user input as data parameters, ensuring that input is never interpreted as executable code. For example, in Java using PreparedStatement, the SQL is sent to the database with placeholders (?), and the driver handles escaping and quoting automatically, which prevents attackers from injecting malicious SQL fragments like 'OR 1=1'. A real-world scenario is the 2017 Equifax breach, where a failure to patch a known vulnerability (not SQLi) led to massive data exposure; however, SQL injection remains a top OWASP risk because many developers still concatenate strings instead of using parameterized queries.
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 CISM 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.
Information Security Risk Management — This question tests Information Security Risk Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Remediate the risk by implementing parameterized queries and input validation — Option C is correct because parameterized queries (prepared statements) and input validation directly address the root cause of SQL injection by separating SQL logic from user-supplied data. This is a remediation (mitigation) strategy that reduces the likelihood of exploitation to an acceptable level, which aligns with the high-risk scenario described.
What should I do if I get this CISM question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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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