Quick Answer
The answer is intrusion detection system (IDS) alerts and reviewing access logs for unauthorized access. Both are correct because detective controls operate after an event has occurred, focusing on identifying and analyzing security incidents rather than preventing or correcting them. An IDS alerts on suspicious network traffic patterns, while access log reviews examine historical records to uncover policy violations or breaches—both are classic monitoring activities that fall under detective, not preventive or corrective, controls. On the CRISC exam, this distinction tests your understanding of control categories within the risk response phase; a common trap is confusing detective controls like these with preventive controls such as firewalls or corrective controls like backup restoration. Remember the memory tip: “Detect after the fact, prevent before, correct during.”
This CRISC practice question tests your understanding of risk and control monitoring and reporting. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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.
Which TWO of the following are examples of detective controls?
Review of access logs for unauthorized access.
Detects unauthorized access after the fact.
Backup and recovery procedures.
Why wrong: Corrective control.
Firewall rules blocking unauthorized traffic.
Why wrong: Preventive control.
Separation of duties in financial systems.
Why wrong: Preventive control.
Intrusion detection system (IDS) alerts.
Detects ongoing or past intrusions.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Review of access logs for unauthorized access.
A is correct because reviewing access logs for unauthorized access is a detective control. It involves examining historical records of system access events to identify security incidents or policy violations after they have occurred. This is a classic example of monitoring and analysis, not prevention or correction.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Review of access logs for unauthorized access.
Why this is correct
Detects unauthorized access after the fact.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Backup and recovery procedures.
Why it's wrong here
Corrective control.
Firewall rules blocking unauthorized traffic.
Why it's wrong here
Preventive control.
Separation of duties in financial systems.
Why it's wrong here
Preventive control.
Intrusion detection system (IDS) alerts.
Why this is correct
Detects ongoing or past intrusions.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
ISACA often tests the distinction between preventive and detective controls by presenting security technologies that have both capabilities (e.g., a firewall with logging), but the trap here is that candidates confuse the control's primary function (e.g., firewall rules are preventive, even if logs are used for detection).
Detailed technical explanation
Detective controls rely on monitoring and analysis of logs, alerts, or audit trails. For example, an IDS (Intrusion Detection System) analyzes network traffic against signatures or behavioral baselines (e.g., Snort rules or anomaly detection models) and generates alerts when suspicious patterns are matched. Access log review often involves parsing syslog or Windows Event Log entries (e.g., Event ID 4625 for failed logins) to detect brute-force attacks or privilege escalation attempts. These controls do not block or prevent; they provide visibility for incident response.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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FAQ
Risk and Control Monitoring and Reporting — This question tests Risk and Control Monitoring and Reporting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Review of access logs for unauthorized access. — A is correct because reviewing access logs for unauthorized access is a detective control. It involves examining historical records of system access events to identify security incidents or policy violations after they have occurred. This is a classic example of monitoring and analysis, not prevention or correction.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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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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