CRISC IT Risk Assessment Practice Question
A risk manager uses a 5x5 heat map to plot the likelihood and impact of identified risks. This approach is an example of which type of risk analysis?
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
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Qualitative risk analysis
A 5x5 heat map is a qualitative risk analysis technique that uses ordinal scales for likelihood and impact to derive risk ratings.
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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Qualitative risk analysis
Why this is correct
A 5x5 heat map plots likelihood and impact using ordinal rating scales rather than monetary values, which is the defining mechanism of qualitative risk analysis. It satisfies the scenario's constraint of subjective, expert-driven ranking, unlike quantitative analysis, which requires numerical data such as annualised loss expectancy.
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Quantitative risk analysis
Why it's wrong here
Quantitative analysis assigns numeric values, such as monetary loss or annualised frequency, to likelihood and impact. A 5x5 heat map uses ordinal rating scales, producing qualitative rankings rather than calculated figures. Quantitative methods suit scenarios where credible financial or statistical data exist for each risk.
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Hybrid risk analysis
Why it's wrong here
A 5x5 heat map plots qualitative likelihood and impact ratings, which is purely qualitative analysis; no numeric loss data or probability distributions are computed. Hybrid analysis combines qualitative and quantitative methods, so it would apply only if monetary values or modelled frequencies were also used.
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Semi-quantitative risk analysis
Why it's wrong here
A 5x5 heat map assigns ordinal labels to likelihood and impact, which is qualitative analysis, not semi-quantitative. Semi-quantitative analysis attaches numeric ranges or scores to those scales, such as likelihood 1-5 mapped to annualised frequency bands, enabling arithmetic comparison. The heat map's axes are descriptive categories, so no numeric calculation occurs.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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