CRISC Risk Response and Reporting Practice Question
A vendor risk tier is assigned based on data access and service criticality. A vendor that processes sensitive customer data and is critical to operations should be classified as which tier?
⚠ Common exam trap
CRISC often tests the distinction between 'High' and 'Critical' tiers, where candidates mistakenly choose 'High' because they overlook that 'Critical' is the highest tier in many risk classification models, reserved specifically for the most severe combination of data sensitivity and operational dependency.
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
✓
Critical tier
A vendor that processes sensitive customer data and is critical to operations poses the highest level of risk to the organization. Under the CRISC framework, such a vendor is classified as Critical tier because the combination of high data sensitivity and operational criticality requires the most stringent risk management controls, including enhanced due diligence, continuous monitoring, and contractual safeguards. This tier ensures that the highest priority vendors receive the most rigorous oversight to mitigate potential impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
High tier
Why it's wrong here
High tier is for vendors with significant data access, but critical tier is the highest.
- ✓
Critical tier
Why this is correct
Critical tier is for vendors with high data access and criticality to operations.
- ✗
Low tier
Why it's wrong here
Low tier is for vendors with minimal data access and low criticality.
- ✗
Medium tier
Why it's wrong here
Medium tier is for moderate risk vendors.
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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.