CISM Information Security Risk Management Practice Question
Which TWO of the following are key components of an information security risk assessment? (Choose two.)
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse risk assessment activities (threat and asset identification) with downstream risk management steps like policy creation or control implementation, leading them to select options that are part of the broader risk management lifecycle but not the assessment itself.
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
✓
Threat identification
Threat identification is a key component of an information security risk assessment because it involves systematically cataloging potential sources of harm (e.g., malware, insider threats, natural disasters) that could exploit vulnerabilities. Without identifying threats, the risk assessment cannot evaluate the likelihood or impact of adverse events, making the entire risk analysis incomplete. This step directly feeds into risk identification, which is the foundation of the risk management process as defined by frameworks like ISO 27005 and NIST SP 800-30.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Threat identification
Why this is correct
Threats must be identified to assess risk.
- ✗
Security policy development
Why it's wrong here
Policy development is governance, not assessment.
- ✗
Incident response planning
Why it's wrong here
This is a separate process.
- ✗
Control implementation
Why it's wrong here
This is part of risk treatment, not assessment.
- ✓
Asset identification
Why this is correct
Assets must be identified to assess risk to them.
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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.