CRISC Risk Response and Reporting Practice Question
A change to a critical application is being implemented without updating the associated security controls. This is most likely a failure in which process?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse 'control design' (the initial architecture of controls) with the ongoing governance process of 'change management' that ensures controls are kept in sync with system modifications.
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
✓
Change management
A change to a critical application that bypasses updating security controls is a direct failure of the change management process. Change management requires that all changes, including security controls, be reviewed, approved, and documented before implementation to maintain the risk posture. Without this process, the organization loses visibility and control over the security implications of the change, leading to potential vulnerabilities.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Control design
Why it's wrong here
Control design defines how a control operates, not whether it is re-evaluated when the application changes. It is tempting because ineffective controls often stem from poor design, and it would be correct if the existing control were fundamentally incapable of mitigating the risk it targets.
- ✓
Change management
Why this is correct
Change management governs modifications to production systems, ensuring security controls are assessed and updated alongside application changes. This scenario's failure to update associated controls during implementation directly violates that process, making it the correct answer over risk assessment or control monitoring.
- ✗
Project management
Why it's wrong here
Project management covers scope, schedule and delivery, not the linkage of security controls to application changes. It is tempting because change initiatives are often run as projects, and it would be the answer if the failure were missed milestones or unmanaged dependencies rather than omitted control updates.
- ✗
User training
Why it's wrong here
User training addresses human awareness and behaviour, not the process that keeps security controls aligned with application changes. It is tempting because staff error frequently causes incidents, and it would be correct if users were bypassing controls they had never been taught to follow.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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