CRISC Information Technology and Security Practice Question
A retail company is moving its customer loyalty application to a SaaS platform. The risk practitioner must ensure that the cloud provider's security controls are adequate. Which of the following is the MOST effective way to obtain assurance over the provider's controls?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that any certification or questionnaire response provides equivalent assurance, when only an independent audit report over a period demonstrates operating effectiveness.
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
✓
Review the provider's SOC 2 Type II report.
A SOC 2 Type II report is specifically designed to provide independent assurance over a service organization's controls relevant to security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. It covers both design and operating effectiveness over a period, making it the most reliable evidence for a risk practitioner assessing a cloud provider's control environment.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Rely on the provider's ISO 9001 certification.
Why it's wrong here
ISO 9001 is a quality management standard, not a security control framework. It does not specifically address information security controls such as access management, encryption, or incident response. Therefore, it provides little assurance regarding the security of the SaaS platform and its handling of customer data.
- ✗
Conduct a penetration test of the provider's environment.
Why it's wrong here
Penetration testing is a point-in-time technical assessment and typically requires the provider's permission. It tests only a subset of controls (mostly technical) and does not cover the full range of operational, administrative, and physical controls that a SOC 2 Type II report addresses. It also does not provide ongoing assurance.
- ✓
Review the provider's SOC 2 Type II report.
Why this is correct
A SOC 2 Type II report provides an independent auditor's opinion on the design and operating effectiveness of the provider's controls over a period of time. This gives the risk practitioner evidence that controls are not only designed appropriately but have been tested and operated effectively, which directly supports risk assessment and monitoring of the outsourced service.
- ✗
Request the provider's completed security questionnaire.
Why it's wrong here
A self-completed security questionnaire relies on the provider's own assertions and is not independently verified. While it can be a useful initial screening tool, it does not provide the same level of assurance as an independent audit report, and the provider may present an overly favorable view of its controls.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official ISACA exam blueprint
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