easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
CRISC Practice Question: A risk manager notices that a key risk indicator…
A risk manager notices that a key risk indicator (KRI) for system downtime has exceeded the threshold for two consecutive months. What is the MOST appropriate immediate action?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often assume a breached KRI automatically means the threshold is wrong, leading them to choose threshold revision (Option A) instead of recognizing that the immediate action must be investigation to determine if the risk is materializing.
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
✓
Escalate to the risk owner for investigation.
When a KRI exceeds its threshold for two consecutive months, the immediate priority is to investigate the root cause and assess whether the risk is materializing. Escalating to the risk owner ensures that the appropriate subject matter expert analyzes the situation, determines if controls are failing, and decides on corrective actions. Revising the threshold or replacing the KRI without investigation would bypass the monitoring and response process, potentially masking a real risk event.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Revise the KRI threshold to a higher value.
Why it's wrong here
Changing thresholds without analysis may hide emerging risks.
- ✗
Archive the current KRI and define a new one.
Why it's wrong here
Replacing the KRI is not appropriate; the existing metric is still relevant.
- ✗
Update the risk register with the new KRI value.
Why it's wrong here
Documentation alone does not address the risk increase.
- ✓
Escalate to the risk owner for investigation.
Why this is correct
The risk owner should assess the situation and determine corrective actions.
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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.