easyMultiple Choice
CRISC Practice Question: Based on the exhibit, which risk is MOST likely…
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit. === Data Center Architecture Description === The data center has three layers: Core, Aggregation, and Access. The Core layer connects to the internet via redundant firewalls. The Aggregation layer hosts critical application servers in a DMZ. The Access layer connects to user workstations. There is no network segmentation between the DMZ and internal user networks. === End of Exhibit ===
Based on the exhibit, which risk is MOST likely to be identified during a risk assessment?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates often focus on obvious vulnerabilities like weak passwords or incomplete logs, but the CRISC exam tests the ability to identify the most significant risk given the architecture—lateral movement from a less trusted zone (DMZ) to a more trusted zone (internal network) is a classic and critical risk in segmented network designs.
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
✓
Lateral movement risk from DMZ to internal network
The exhibit shows a DMZ architecture where the internal network is separated from the DMZ by a firewall. A risk assessment would identify the potential for an attacker who compromises a DMZ host (e.g., a web server) to pivot through the firewall to the internal network, especially if firewall rules are overly permissive or if the DMZ host has a trust relationship with internal systems. This lateral movement risk is a classic and high-priority finding in such segmented environments.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Weak passwords on user workstations
Why it's wrong here
Weak workstation passwords are a control weakness, but the exhibit's evidence points to logging and monitoring gaps rather than credential hygiene. Password strength reviews are the correct assessment activity when authentication controls, not audit trails, are the area under examination.
- ✗
Unauthorized physical access to the data center
Why it's wrong here
Physical access controls sit outside the risk assessment's scope when the exhibit maps application-layer data flows and threat vectors, so this risk would not surface from that analysis. It is tempting because unauthorised data-centre access is a genuine infrastructure risk, and would be identified in an assessment covering physical and environmental controls.
- ✓
Lateral movement risk from DMZ to internal network
Why this is correct
A compromised DMZ host with reachable internal routes lets an attacker pivot inward, exploiting weak segmentation between perimeter and trusted zones. This lateral movement risk is identified because DMZ systems rarely enforce the same internal access controls as core network segments.
- ✗
Incomplete audit logs on firewalls
Why it's wrong here
Incomplete firewall audit logs are a logging deficiency, not the risk the exhibit's evidence supports. Assessing log completeness is the correct activity when the scenario centres on evidence retention or forensic readiness, rather than the exposure actually depicted.
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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.