CRISC Information Technology and Security Practice Question
A risk manager is designing an IT risk management programme. Which document should be created FIRST to guide the overall approach to risk management?
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
✓
Risk management policy
A risk management policy establishes the principles, objectives, and responsibilities for risk management, providing a foundation for all other risk management activities.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Risk treatment plan
Why it's wrong here
A risk treatment plan documents selected responses for already-identified risks, so it cannot exist before risks are assessed and appetite is set. It becomes the correct deliverable after the risk management framework and assessment criteria are approved and the register is populated.
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Risk register
Why it's wrong here
A risk register is a populated inventory of identified risks with owners and ratings; it is an output of applying an agreed methodology, not the document that establishes scope, governance or appetite. It is the correct artefact once the framework and assessment approach are approved.
- ✓
Risk management policy
Why this is correct
The risk management policy establishes the organisation's overall intent, scope, objectives and governance for risk, providing the mandate from which frameworks, processes and procedures are subsequently derived. Creating it first ensures all later risk activities align with approved direction.
- ✗
Risk assessment methodology
Why it's wrong here
A risk assessment methodology defines how risks are identified, analysed and evaluated, but it is a subordinate procedure that presupposes an approved mandate, scope and governance framework. It would be the right artefact once the overarching programme charter and risk appetite are established.
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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.