CRISC IT Risk Assessment Practice Question
During an IT risk assessment, the risk owner identifies a high inherent risk for a legacy system. After implementing a firewall and intrusion detection system, the residual risk is calculated. Which of the following best describes residual risk?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse residual risk with inherent risk (Option A) or with risk response strategies like transfer (Option C) or acceptance (Option D), rather than recognizing it as the risk remaining after control implementation.
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
✓
The risk level after considering control effectiveness
Residual risk is the level of risk that remains after controls have been implemented and their effectiveness has been factored in. In this scenario, the firewall and intrusion detection system are controls that reduce the inherent risk, but some risk (e.g., from zero-day exploits or misconfigurations) will persist, which is the residual risk.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The risk level before any controls are implemented
Why it's wrong here
That is inherent risk.
- ✓
The risk level after considering control effectiveness
Why this is correct
Residual risk is inherent risk adjusted for control effectiveness.
- ✗
The risk that is transferred to a third party
Why it's wrong here
Transferred risk is a different concept.
- ✗
The risk that is accepted without action
Why it's wrong here
Accepted risk is a treatment decision, not a calculation.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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