The answer is that legacy authentication accounts may remain active, creating orphan accounts, which represents the greatest risk in an IAM migration to SSO. This is because when migrating from legacy authentication to single sign-on, any accounts not properly disabled become unmanaged orphan accounts that bypass centralized access controls, allowing unauthorized access without oversight. On the CRISC exam, this tests your understanding of identity governance and the principle that unmanaged accounts create a larger attack surface than other concerns like password reuse, which can be mitigated through policy. A common trap is confusing user convenience or help desk reduction with risk, but the exam emphasizes that orphan accounts directly undermine the security posture of a new IAM system. Remember the memory tip: “Orphans are the greatest orphans—unmanaged accounts are the risk that lingers.”
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.
An organization is implementing a new identity and access management (IAM) system. The risk manager is tasked with identifying risks associated with the migration from legacy authentication to single sign-on (SSO). Which of the following is the GREATEST risk during this migration?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Legacy authentication accounts may remain active, creating orphan accounts.
Option D is correct because legacy accounts that are not disabled after migration become unmanaged orphan accounts, posing a significant security risk. Option A is wrong because increased user convenience is a benefit, not a risk. Option B is wrong while password reuse is a risk, it is less severe than orphan accounts. Option C is wrong because SSO typically reduces help desk calls for password resets.
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.
✗
Users may reuse strong passwords across multiple systems.
Why it's wrong here
Password reuse is a risk but not the greatest during migration.
✗
Users may experience increased convenience, leading to reduced security awareness.
Why it's wrong here
Convenience is not a direct risk; it is a benefit.
✓
Legacy authentication accounts may remain active, creating orphan accounts.
Why this is correct
Orphan accounts are a high-risk security issue if not disabled.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Help desk call volumes may increase due to SSO authentication failures.
Why it's wrong here
SSO typically reduces help desk calls.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 CRISC exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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: Legacy authentication accounts may remain active, creating orphan accounts. — Option D is correct because legacy accounts that are not disabled after migration become unmanaged orphan accounts, posing a significant security risk. Option A is wrong because increased user convenience is a benefit, not a risk. Option B is wrong while password reuse is a risk, it is less severe than orphan accounts. Option C is wrong because SSO typically reduces help desk calls for password resets.
What should I do if I get this CRISC question wrong?
Identify which CRISC exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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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.
Question Discussion
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