The answer is data feed degradation from transaction systems, which causes missing data and fewer alerts. When an automated monitoring system relies on a continuous stream of transaction data, any degradation in that feed—such as packet loss, latency, or incomplete records—means the system simply never sees some transactions, so it cannot generate alerts for them. This explains why alert counts drop while actual control failures stay constant: the failures still occur, but the monitoring tool is blind to them. On the CRISC exam, this scenario tests your understanding of data integrity and monitoring system dependencies, a common trap where candidates mistakenly attribute fewer alerts to improved controls or automation. Remember: fewer alerts with steady failures points to a broken input, not a better output. Memory tip: “No feed, no alert—garbage in, garbage out.”
CRISC Risk and Control Monitoring and Reporting Practice Question
This CRISC practice question tests your understanding of risk and control monitoring and reporting. 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 company has implemented an automated control monitoring system that generates alerts when transactions exceed predefined thresholds. The system has been in production for six months. The risk team notices that the number of alerts has been decreasing, while actual control failures have remained constant. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The data feed from transaction systems has degraded, causing missing data
Option B is correct because degradation of data feeds could cause the system to miss transactions, leading to fewer alerts. Option A is wrong because increased automation typically increases detection. Option C is wrong because if controls were improved, actual failures would decrease. Option D is wrong because employees gaming the system would likely increase failures, not keep them constant.
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.
✗
Employees have learned to bypass the monitoring system
Why it's wrong here
Bypassing would lead to more failures, not constant failures.
✗
The control effectiveness has improved significantly
Why it's wrong here
If controls improved, actual failures would decrease, but they are constant.
✓
The data feed from transaction systems has degraded, causing missing data
Why this is correct
Degraded data reduces input, resulting in fewer alerts despite constant failures.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The thresholds were automatically adjusted to be more restrictive
Why it's wrong here
More restrictive thresholds would increase alerts, not decrease them.
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.
Risk and Control Monitoring and Reporting — This question tests Risk and Control Monitoring and Reporting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The data feed from transaction systems has degraded, causing missing data — Option B is correct because degradation of data feeds could cause the system to miss transactions, leading to fewer alerts. Option A is wrong because increased automation typically increases detection. Option C is wrong because if controls were improved, actual failures would decrease. Option D is wrong because employees gaming the system would likely increase failures, not keep them constant.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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