CRISC IT Risk Assessment Practice Question
An organization is evaluating the risk of a ransomware attack. Using the FAIR framework, which of the following components directly multiplies to calculate Loss Event Frequency (LEF)?
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
✓
Threat Event Frequency and Vulnerability
In FAIR, Loss Event Frequency (LEF) is calculated as Threat Event Frequency (TEF) multiplied by Vulnerability (V).
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Control Effectiveness and Residual Risk
Why it's wrong here
Control effectiveness and residual risk describe how much loss potential remains after controls, feeding vulnerability and magnitude rather than multiplying to give LEF. It is tempting because controls clearly influence attack likelihood, but FAIR derives LEF from threat event frequency and vulnerability.
- ✗
Annual Loss Expectancy and Single Loss Expectancy
Why it's wrong here
LEF is derived from Threat Event Frequency multiplied by Vulnerability, not from loss magnitudes. Annualised Loss Expectancy and Single Loss Expectancy belong to the risk quantification stage, producing Annualised Loss Expectancy; they would be the right inputs when calculating expected monetary loss, not attack frequency.
- ✗
Primary Loss and Secondary Loss
Why it's wrong here
Primary and secondary loss combine to give Loss Magnitude, not Loss Event Frequency. It is tempting because both are core FAIR factors, but LEF is derived from threat event frequency and vulnerability, so this pairing answers the magnitude half of the risk equation.
- ✓
Threat Event Frequency and Vulnerability
Why this is correct
FAIR defines Loss Event Frequency as the probable frequency of threat events that become losses. It is calculated by multiplying Threat Event Frequency by Vulnerability, where Vulnerability is the probability that a threat event becomes a loss.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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