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CRISC Practice Question: After a risk assessment, the risk owner…
After a risk assessment, the risk owner determines that the residual risk is still above the risk appetite. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate next step?
⚠ Common exam trap
ISACA often tests the misconception that risk acceptance is always the default next step, but the trap here is that acceptance is only valid when residual risk is within appetite; when it is above, additional controls must be considered first.
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
✓
Implement additional controls
When residual risk remains above the risk appetite after initial risk assessment, the most appropriate next step is to implement additional controls to further reduce the risk to an acceptable level. This aligns with the risk treatment process where controls are selected and applied to lower the likelihood or impact of the risk event. Simply transferring, ignoring, or accepting the risk without further action would not address the gap between residual risk and risk appetite.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Transfer the risk
Why it's wrong here
Transferring shifts the residual risk to a third party such as an insurer, but the stem asks for the next step after the owner finds residual risk exceeds appetite, which is to treat it. It is tempting because transfer is a valid risk response, and it would be correct when the risk is insurable and cost-effective to move.
- ✗
Ignore the risk
Why it's wrong here
Ignoring a risk above appetite leaves the organisation exposed without any treatment or acceptance decision, breaching risk governance. It is tempting as a shortcut when remediation costs seem high, but ignoring is only defensible for risks already inside appetite, where no further action is required.
- ✗
Accept the risk
Why it's wrong here
Accepting leaves residual risk above the stated appetite, which the owner has just determined is unacceptable, so it cannot be the next step. It is tempting because acceptance is a legitimate response, and it would be correct when residual risk falls within appetite or when treatment costs exceed the potential loss.
- ✓
Implement additional controls
Why this is correct
Residual risk exceeding risk appetite means existing controls are insufficient, so additional controls are needed to reduce risk to an acceptable level. Acceptance, avoidance or transfer would not bring the exposure within the defined tolerance.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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