- A
Rewrite the order matching engine in a memory-safe language
Why wrong: Rewriting the code removes the vulnerability, which is remediation, not a compensating control.
- B
Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to block malicious payloads
Why wrong: A WAF is a preventive control that blocks attacks but does not compensate for the vulnerability; it's a separate security layer.
- C
Enable detailed logging for all order matching transactions
Why wrong: Logging is detective and helps in forensics but does not reduce the likelihood or impact of the vulnerability.
- D
Require manual approval for all orders above a threshold
Manual approval adds a human verification step, reducing the impact of a potential exploit.
- E
Implement rate limiting on order submissions
Rate limiting reduces the likelihood of exploitation by limiting the number of requests, thus compensating for the vulnerability.
Quick Answer
The correct answers are implementing manual approval for orders above a threshold and rate limiting on order submissions. These are valid compensating controls because they reduce the risk of an unpatched vulnerability without fixing the underlying code; manual approval adds a human review layer to catch anomalous high-value exploits, while rate limiting restricts the volume of malicious submissions, limiting the blast radius of an attack. On the CRISC exam, this tests your ability to distinguish compensating controls from corrective or preventive fixes, often appearing in scenarios where patching is delayed due to operational constraints. A common trap is selecting controls that only detect or log the vulnerability rather than actively mitigate its exploitation. Remember the mnemonic “M.A.R.L.”—Manual Approval and Rate Limiting—to recall the two compensating controls that directly reduce impact and frequency when a patch is not feasible.
CRISC Risk Response and Mitigation Practice Question
This CRISC practice question tests your understanding of risk response and mitigation. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A risk assessment for a financial trading platform has identified a high-risk vulnerability in the order matching engine. The risk owner has recommended implementing compensating controls rather than fixing the underlying code. Which TWO of the following are valid compensating controls? (Choose two.)
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
Require manual approval for all orders above a threshold
Option D is correct because requiring manual approval for orders above a threshold directly reduces the impact of a successful exploit by preventing large-scale financial loss, even if the underlying code vulnerability remains unpatched. This compensating control shifts the risk acceptance decision to a human operator, effectively adding a business logic layer that can catch anomalous or malicious order matching attempts. Option E is correct because rate limiting on order submissions mitigates the risk of an attacker exploiting the vulnerability to submit a high volume of malicious orders, thereby limiting the blast radius and preventing denial-of-service or market manipulation scenarios.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Rewrite the order matching engine in a memory-safe language
Why it's wrong here
Rewriting the code removes the vulnerability, which is remediation, not a compensating control.
- ✗
Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to block malicious payloads
Why it's wrong here
A WAF is a preventive control that blocks attacks but does not compensate for the vulnerability; it's a separate security layer.
- ✗
Enable detailed logging for all order matching transactions
Why it's wrong here
Logging is detective and helps in forensics but does not reduce the likelihood or impact of the vulnerability.
- ✓
Require manual approval for all orders above a threshold
Why this is correct
Manual approval adds a human verification step, reducing the impact of a potential exploit.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Implement rate limiting on order submissions
Why this is correct
Rate limiting reduces the likelihood of exploitation by limiting the number of requests, thus compensating for the vulnerability.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse detective controls (logging) or remediation (rewriting code) with compensating controls, failing to recognize that a compensating control must actively reduce risk without fixing the original vulnerability.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Compensating controls are alternative safeguards that reduce risk to an acceptable level when the primary control cannot be implemented; they must be measurable and enforceable. In high-frequency trading environments, rate limiting is often implemented at the API gateway or exchange adapter using token bucket algorithms (e.g., RFC 4113) to cap submissions per second per session, while manual approval thresholds are enforced via workflow engines that queue orders exceeding a configurable value for human review before execution. Real-world examples include the 2010 Flash Crash, where lack of rate limiting and manual oversight allowed a single large sell order to cascade, highlighting the need for such compensating controls.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CRISC question test?
Risk Response and Mitigation — This question tests Risk Response and Mitigation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Require manual approval for all orders above a threshold — Option D is correct because requiring manual approval for orders above a threshold directly reduces the impact of a successful exploit by preventing large-scale financial loss, even if the underlying code vulnerability remains unpatched. This compensating control shifts the risk acceptance decision to a human operator, effectively adding a business logic layer that can catch anomalous or malicious order matching attempts. Option E is correct because rate limiting on order submissions mitigates the risk of an attacker exploiting the vulnerability to submit a high volume of malicious orders, thereby limiting the blast radius and preventing denial-of-service or market manipulation scenarios.
What should I do if I get this CRISC question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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.
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