- A
Unauthorized remote access to the corporate network via the IoT devices
Unsegmented IoT devices with third-party admin access and detected suspicious traffic represent a clear path for attackers to infiltrate the corporate network.
- B
Compliance violation with industry regulations
Why wrong: While lack of segmentation may violate best practices, the immediate operational risk from unauthorized network access outweighs compliance concerns in the identification phase.
- C
Loss of data integrity due to tampering with sensor measurements
Why wrong: Although possible, the immediate threat from uncontrolled external traffic and vendor access is more likely to enable network breach than sensor manipulation.
- D
Physical damage to equipment due to unsafe actuator commands
Why wrong: Physical damage is a potential impact, but the current evidence points to network exploitation as the more direct and probable risk.
Quick Answer
The answer is unauthorized remote access to the corporate network via the IoT devices. This is the most critical risk because the IoT sensors and actuators lack network segmentation and use unencrypted protocols, creating a direct attack surface; when combined with third-party administrative access and suspicious outbound traffic, it indicates an attacker has likely compromised the vendor’s network or the devices themselves, allowing them to pivot laterally into the corporate environment. On the CRISC exam, this scenario tests your ability to prioritize risks that bypass traditional perimeter defenses—a common trap is focusing on data loss or device malfunction instead of the broader network compromise vector. Remember the key chain: unencrypted IoT + no segmentation + third-party access equals a direct highway for unauthorized remote access. A useful memory tip is “IoT Pivot” — think of the devices as an unlocked side door that lets an attacker walk straight into the corporate network.
CRISC IT Risk Identification Practice Question
This CRISC practice question tests your understanding of it risk identification. 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 smart manufacturing company has deployed hundreds of IoT sensors and actuators across its production line. These devices are connected directly to the corporate network without any segmentation and communicate using unencrypted protocols. A third-party vendor manages all IoT devices and has administrative access from their own network. Recently, the IT team detected unusual outbound traffic from the IoT segment to unknown IP addresses on the internet. The risk manager is leading a risk identification workshop. Based on this scenario, what is the most critical risk to the organization that should be identified and documented?
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
Unauthorized remote access to the corporate network via the IoT devices
The most critical risk is unauthorized remote access to the corporate network via the IoT devices. The IoT devices are directly connected to the corporate network without segmentation and communicate using unencrypted protocols, while a third-party vendor has administrative access from their own network. The unusual outbound traffic to unknown IP addresses strongly suggests that an attacker has compromised the vendor's network or the devices themselves, using the unencrypted protocols (e.g., MQTT without TLS, Modbus/TCP) to pivot into the corporate network, bypassing perimeter defenses.
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.
- ✓
Unauthorized remote access to the corporate network via the IoT devices
Why this is correct
Unsegmented IoT devices with third-party admin access and detected suspicious traffic represent a clear path for attackers to infiltrate the corporate network.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Compliance violation with industry regulations
Why it's wrong here
While lack of segmentation may violate best practices, the immediate operational risk from unauthorized network access outweighs compliance concerns in the identification phase.
- ✗
Loss of data integrity due to tampering with sensor measurements
Why it's wrong here
Although possible, the immediate threat from uncontrolled external traffic and vendor access is more likely to enable network breach than sensor manipulation.
- ✗
Physical damage to equipment due to unsafe actuator commands
Why it's wrong here
Physical damage is a potential impact, but the current evidence points to network exploitation as the more direct and probable risk.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISACA often tests the concept that the most critical risk is the one that is actively occurring and has the highest potential for immediate impact, not the one that is merely possible or a downstream consequence; candidates often pick a compliance or data integrity answer because they focus on data protection rather than network access control.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In industrial IoT environments, unencrypted protocols like MQTT (port 1883) or Modbus/TCP (port 502) lack authentication and encryption, allowing attackers to inject commands or exfiltrate data. The lack of network segmentation (e.g., no VLANs or firewalls between IoT and corporate LAN) means a compromised IoT device can be used as a pivot point to reach Active Directory servers, file shares, or other critical assets. Real-world attacks like the 2015 Ukraine power grid breach used similar unsegmented OT networks to move laterally.
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 practitioner preparing for the CRISC exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CRISC question test?
IT Risk Identification — This question tests IT Risk Identification — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Unauthorized remote access to the corporate network via the IoT devices — The most critical risk is unauthorized remote access to the corporate network via the IoT devices. The IoT devices are directly connected to the corporate network without segmentation and communicate using unencrypted protocols, while a third-party vendor has administrative access from their own network. The unusual outbound traffic to unknown IP addresses strongly suggests that an attacker has compromised the vendor's network or the devices themselves, using the unencrypted protocols (e.g., MQTT without TLS, Modbus/TCP) to pivot into the corporate network, bypassing perimeter defenses.
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.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 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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