CRISC Risk Response and Reporting Practice Question
During a third-party risk assessment, a vendor is classified as 'critical' due to its access to sensitive customer data. According to the organization's vendor risk appetite, what is the minimum security requirement for this vendor?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers choose penetration test results (Option C) thinking they are the most technical and thorough, but fail to recognize that for critical vendors, ongoing control effectiveness over time (SOC 2 Type II) is more aligned with risk appetite than a single point-in-time test.
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
✓
SOC 2 Type II report
A SOC 2 Type II report is the minimum security requirement for a critical vendor because it provides an independent audit of controls over security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy over a period of time (typically 6–12 months). This aligns with the organization's risk appetite for sensitive customer data, as it offers more assurance than a point-in-time assessment or self-report.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
SOC 2 Type II report
Why this is correct
Correct. This is a common requirement for high-risk vendors.
- ✗
Annual compliance attestation
Why it's wrong here
Less rigorous than SOC 2.
- ✗
Penetration test results from the vendor
Why it's wrong here
May be additional but not the minimum per the scenario.
- ✗
Self-assessment questionnaire only
Why it's wrong here
Not sufficient for critical vendors.
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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.