CRISC IT Risk Assessment Practice Question
A risk assessment team is prioritizing IT risks for treatment. Which THREE factors should be considered when prioritizing risks? (Select THREE)
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently confuse 'factors to consider when prioritizing risks' with 'inputs to risk assessment' and incorrectly select industry standards (Option A) as a direct prioritization factor, when in fact they are used for benchmarking or compliance, not for ranking treatment urgency.
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
✓
The inherent risk score of each risk
The inherent risk score provides a baseline measure of risk without considering controls, which is essential for prioritizing which risks require immediate attention. This score is typically calculated as a product of likelihood and impact, and it helps the team focus on the most severe potential threats first.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Industry standards for similar risks
Why it's wrong here
Standards may inform but are not a direct prioritization factor.
- ✓
The inherent risk score of each risk
Why this is correct
Higher inherent risks typically get higher priority.
- ✓
Cost-benefit analysis of potential controls
Why this is correct
Treatment actions should provide value relative to cost.
- ✓
Residual risk after existing controls
Why this is correct
Residual risk indicates the remaining exposure and helps prioritize further treatment.
- ✗
The risk owner's personal preference
Why it's wrong here
Prioritization should be based on objective factors, not personal preference.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CRISC 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 CRISC exam.