hardMultiple Choice
CRISC Practice Question: A risk manager is reviewing the risk register and…
A risk manager is reviewing the risk register and notices that several risks have been identified as 'high' but no risk owner has been assigned. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate action to ensure proper risk identification going forward?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often choose an audit (Option C) as a corrective action, but the question asks for the MOST appropriate action to ensure proper risk identification going forward, which requires a preventive policy change, not a retrospective review.
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
✓
Update the risk identification policy to mandate that risk owners be identified during the initial risk identification phase.
The risk identification phase should include assigning risk owners to ensure accountability from the outset. Without a risk owner, identified risks cannot be properly managed, monitored, or escalated. Mandating owner assignment during initial identification embeds ownership into the process, preventing gaps in risk governance.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Provide training to risk owners on their responsibilities.
Why it's wrong here
Training assumes owners already exist; here none are assigned, so it cannot close the gap. It tempts because capability building strengthens risk practice generally, and would be right once ownership is established and owners need to understand their duties.
- ✗
Assign risk owners after the risk assessment is completed.
Why it's wrong here
Deferring assignment until after assessment leaves high risks unowned during evaluation, when treatment decisions are made. It tempts because assessment informs which risks warrant owners, yet CRISC expects ownership assigned at identification so accountability exists throughout.
- ✗
Conduct an audit of the risk identification process.
Why it's wrong here
An audit examines past practice and reports findings; it does not assign owners or fix the current unowned high risks. It tempts as assurance evidence for governance reporting, and would be right to verify the process independently after remediation.
- ✓
Update the risk identification policy to mandate that risk owners be identified during the initial risk identification phase.
Why this is correct
Amending the risk identification policy embeds ownership assignment as a mandatory step, preventing recurrence rather than fixing individual register entries. This addresses the root cause: the process itself permitted risks to be recorded without accountable owners.
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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.