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CRISC Practice Question: A risk manager notices that a key risk indicator…
A risk manager notices that a key risk indicator (KRI) has been consistently above the threshold for three months. What should be the first action?
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
✓
Review the KRI definition and data source for accuracy.
Before escalating or implementing additional controls, it is important to verify the accuracy of the KRI data and definition. Option C is correct because data integrity issues are a common cause of false alarms. Option A is premature without verification. Option B is reactive without understanding the root cause. Option D is premature; escalation should follow verification.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Adjust the threshold to a higher value.
Why it's wrong here
Raising the threshold masks the signal rather than addressing the risk, and destroys the indicator's usefulness for future monitoring. It is tempting because thresholds are sometimes recalibrated when they prove unrealistic, but that is legitimate only after analysis shows the original limit was mis-set, not merely inconvenient.
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Implement additional controls immediately.
Why it's wrong here
Implementing controls before understanding why the KRI breached risks misdirected effort and unnecessary cost. It is tempting because controls are the ultimate risk treatment, and would be right once analysis confirms the exposure and identifies which control addresses the cause; the first action is investigation, not remediation.
- ✓
Review the KRI definition and data source for accuracy.
Why this is correct
Verifying the KRI's definition and data source comes first because a sustained threshold breach may reflect measurement error rather than genuine risk exposure. Confirming the indicator's accuracy and collection method prevents escalation based on faulty data, satisfying the need to validate the signal before committing resources to treatment.
- ✗
Escalate to senior management immediately.
Why it's wrong here
Escalation is premature: a sustained KRI breach first warrants investigation to confirm the indicator's validity and identify the underlying cause before involving senior management. It is tempting because escalation is the eventual path for confirmed, material risk exposure, but only after analysis establishes that the breach is genuine and significant.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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