CRISC IT Risk Assessment Practice Question
After implementing controls for a high-risk IT process, the residual risk is calculated as medium. The risk owner argues that the controls are not adequate because the inherent risk was critical. Which of the following should be the primary basis for determining control adequacy?
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
✓
The reduction from inherent risk to residual risk based on control effectiveness
Control adequacy is determined by assessing both design adequacy and operating effectiveness, which together reduce inherent risk to the desired residual risk level.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The number of controls implemented
Why it's wrong here
Quantity does not guarantee quality or effectiveness.
- ✓
The reduction from inherent risk to residual risk based on control effectiveness
Why this is correct
Correct. Adequacy is measured by how effectively controls reduce risk.
- ✗
The cost of controls relative to the asset value
Why it's wrong here
Cost is a factor but not the primary basis for adequacy.
- ✗
The industry standards for similar processes
Why it's wrong here
Standards provide guidance but do not replace effectiveness assessment.
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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.