CRISC Information Technology and Security Practice Question
An organization is developing a new cloud-based application that will process personal data of EU citizens. The risk manager is assessing the shared responsibility model with the cloud service provider (CSP). Which of the following is the MOST critical risk to address in the risk assessment?
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
✓
Data sovereignty and cross-border data transfer restrictions
In the shared responsibility model, the customer is responsible for data classification and access controls. Data sovereignty is a key concern when processing EU personal data, as the CSP may store data in jurisdictions that do not provide equivalent protection. The risk manager must ensure contractual and technical measures align with GDPR requirements.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Lack of encryption at rest
Why it's wrong here
Encryption at rest is a control but not the most critical risk; data sovereignty and legal compliance take precedence.
- ✗
Vendor lock-in due to proprietary APIs
Why it's wrong here
Vendor lock-in is a business risk but not the most critical for data protection compliance.
- ✓
Data sovereignty and cross-border data transfer restrictions
Why this is correct
Data sovereignty is critical for compliance with GDPR and other privacy regulations, as data may be stored in jurisdictions with inadequate protection.
- ✗
Multi-tenancy isolation failures
Why it's wrong here
Multi-tenancy isolation is important but typically addressed by the CSP's security controls; the customer's primary responsibility is data protection.
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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.