CRISC IT Risk Identification Practice Question
A risk practitioner is identifying vulnerabilities in an organization's IT environment. Which TWO of the following are examples of 'operational vulnerability identification'? (Choose two.)
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to confuse technical vulnerabilities (like SQL injection or missing patches) with operational vulnerabilities, failing to distinguish between weaknesses in technology configurations versus weaknesses in processes and controls.
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
✓
Lack of segregation of duties in IT administration
Lack of segregation of duties in IT administration is an operational vulnerability. It arises from inadequate processes and controls within the organization's operations, such as allowing a single administrator to both approve and execute changes, which increases the risk of unauthorized or malicious actions. This is a process-level weakness, not a technical flaw in a specific system or code.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
SQL injection vulnerability in a web application
Why it's wrong here
This is an application vulnerability.
- ✓
Lack of segregation of duties in IT administration
Why this is correct
Correct. This is a control weakness, an operational vulnerability.
- ✗
Default passwords on network devices
Why it's wrong here
This is a configuration vulnerability.
- ✓
Inadequate change management processes leading to unauthorized changes
Why this is correct
Correct. This is a process gap, an operational vulnerability.
- ✗
Missing security patches on critical servers
Why it's wrong here
This is a technical vulnerability, not operational.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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