CISM Information Security Risk Management Practice Question
Which of the following best describes residual risk?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers confuse residual risk with risk appetite (Option D), but residual risk is the actual remaining exposure after controls, while risk appetite is the threshold for acceptable exposure.
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
✓
Risk that remains after implementing controls
Residual risk is defined in information security risk management as the risk that remains after management has implemented all planned controls. This concept is central to the CISM framework because it represents the exposure that must be accepted, transferred, or further mitigated by the organization. Unlike inherent risk (before controls), residual risk accounts for the effectiveness of the security measures in place.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Risk before any controls are applied
Why it's wrong here
Risk before any controls are applied is inherent risk, not residual. The option is tempting because the two are sequential stages of the same assessment, and inherent risk would be the correct answer if the question asked for the exposure preceding control implementation.
- ✓
Risk that remains after implementing controls
Why this is correct
Residual risk is the exposure that persists once controls have been applied, since no safeguard eliminates every threat or vulnerability entirely. This directly satisfies the stem's requirement to describe risk remaining after treatment, distinguishing it from inherent risk, which exists before any mitigation is implemented.
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The likelihood that a control will fail
Why it's wrong here
The likelihood a control will fail describes control effectiveness or reliability, not residual risk. It is tempting because failed controls leave exposure behind, and this definition would be correct if the question asked what drives control risk within a risk register.
- ✗
The level of risk an organization is willing to accept
Why it's wrong here
The level of risk an organisation is willing to accept is risk appetite or tolerance, not residual risk. It is tempting because both are expressed as acceptable exposure thresholds, and risk appetite would be the correct answer if the question asked how much risk management permits.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CISM practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISACA 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 CISM exam.