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CRISC Practice Question: A large retailer is implementing a new…
A large retailer is implementing a new point-of-sale (POS) system. The project manager wants to identify risks related to payment card data security. Which risk identification technique would be MOST effective for this purpose?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates choose 'Brainstorming session with the project team' because it seems collaborative and proactive, but they fail to recognize that for technical data security risks, a structured, visual analysis like a DFD review is far more precise and complete.
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
✓
Data Flow Diagram (DFD) review
A Data Flow Diagram (DFD) review is most effective because it visually maps how payment card data moves through the POS system—from card swipe to authorization to storage—identifying exactly where data is at rest, in transit, or processed. This allows the team to pinpoint specific PCI DSS control gaps (e.g., unencrypted transmission, unnecessary retention) that other techniques might miss.
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 register review from past projects
Why it's wrong here
A past-project register captures risks from comparable POS deployments, but it cannot surface threats specific to this system's card-data flows, acquirer interfaces or PCI DSS scope. It is tempting because registers are a standard CRISC input, and would be correct when historical projects share the same architecture and threat landscape.
- ✗
Brainstorming session with the project team
Why it's wrong here
Brainstorming with the project team draws on internal assumptions and misses external payment card attack vectors, so it cannot systematically surface cardholder data risks. It is tempting because it is quick and collaborative, and would be correct when exploring novel or poorly understood risks where no structured reference framework exists.
- ✓
Data Flow Diagram (DFD) review
Why this is correct
A data flow diagram review maps where cardholder data enters, moves through, and leaves the POS system, exposing interception and storage points. This satisfies the payment card data security focus by revealing risks tied to actual data movement rather than generic threat lists.
- ✗
SWOT analysis
Why it's wrong here
SWOT analysis examines internal strengths and weaknesses against external opportunities and threats at organisational strategy level, not cardholder data flows through POS components. It is tempting because it is a recognised risk technique, and would be correct when assessing overall business strategy rather than payment card data security in a specific system.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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