CRISC Information Technology and Security Practice Question
A risk manager is assessing the potential impact of quantum computing on the organization's cryptographic infrastructure. What is the MOST immediate action the organization should take?
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
✓
Conduct a cryptographic inventory to identify vulnerable systems
The first step is to inventory all cryptographic systems to understand where quantum-vulnerable algorithms are used, enabling a migration plan.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Purchase quantum-resistant hardware security modules
Why it's wrong here
Hardware security modules protect key storage and operations but do not make the algorithms themselves quantum-resistant, so buying them addresses no cryptographic exposure. It is tempting because HSM procurement feels concrete and budgetable, and would be correct when deploying post-quantum keys requiring certified protection.
- ✓
Conduct a cryptographic inventory to identify vulnerable systems
Why this is correct
Quantum computing threatens asymmetric cryptography once sufficiently powerful machines exist, but remediation depends on knowing where cryptography is deployed. A cryptographic inventory identifies vulnerable systems, algorithms and key lengths, giving the baseline required before migration planning can begin, making it the most immediate and actionable step.
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Immediately replace all encryption with post-quantum algorithms
Why it's wrong here
Post-quantum algorithms are still being standardised and many systems cannot yet consume them, so wholesale replacement disrupts production without reducing present risk. It is tempting as decisive remediation, and would be correct once standards mature and inventory, testing and migration planning are complete.
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Discontinue use of public key cryptography
Why it's wrong here
Public key cryptography underpins TLS, code signing and identity, so discontinuing it breaks current operations while quantum threats remain theoretical. It is tempting as an apparently decisive risk-avoidance step, and would be correct only once cryptographically relevant quantum computers exist and migration has completed.
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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.