The answer is to update the risk identification policy to mandate that risk owners be assigned during the initial risk identification phase. This is correct because risk ownership assignment during risk identification ensures accountability from the outset, allowing identified risks to be properly managed, monitored, and escalated without governance gaps. On the CRISC exam, this tests your understanding that risk ownership is not a post-identification step but a core component of the risk identification process itself; a common trap is assuming ownership can be deferred to later phases like risk assessment or response planning. Remember the mnemonic “Own It Early” — if a risk is identified without an owner, it is not truly identified, as ownership is the anchor for all subsequent risk treatment and reporting.
CRISC IT Risk Identification Practice Question
This CRISC practice question tests your understanding of it risk identification. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 risk manager is reviewing the risk register and notices that several risks have been identified as 'high' but no risk owner has been assigned. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate action to ensure proper risk identification going forward?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Update the risk identification policy to mandate that risk owners be identified during the initial risk identification phase.
Option D is correct because the risk identification phase should include assigning risk owners to ensure accountability from the outset. Without a risk owner, identified risks cannot be properly managed, monitored, or escalated. Mandating owner assignment during initial identification embeds ownership into the process, preventing gaps in risk governance.
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.
✗
Provide training to risk owners on their responsibilities.
Why it's wrong here
Training is helpful but does not address the lack of assignment during identification.
✗
Assign risk owners after the risk assessment is completed.
Why it's wrong here
Delaying ownership may lead to unowned risks.
✗
Conduct an audit of the risk identification process.
Why it's wrong here
Audit is after-the-fact and does not fix the current gap.
✓
Update the risk identification policy to mandate that risk owners be identified during the initial risk identification phase.
Why this is correct
Policy ensures risk ownership is established at identification time.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often choose an audit (Option C) as a corrective action, but the question asks for the MOST appropriate action to ensure proper risk identification going forward, which requires a preventive policy change, not a retrospective review.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In risk management frameworks like ISO 31000 and COBIT, risk ownership is a fundamental control that ensures each risk has a designated individual responsible for monitoring and response. The risk register must include owner fields populated during identification to enable risk treatment plans and escalation paths. Without this, the risk management lifecycle breaks down, as no single point of accountability exists for high-severity items.
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.
TExam Day Tips
→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 exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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: Update the risk identification policy to mandate that risk owners be identified during the initial risk identification phase. — Option D is correct because the risk identification phase should include assigning risk owners to ensure accountability from the outset. Without a risk owner, identified risks cannot be properly managed, monitored, or escalated. Mandating owner assignment during initial identification embeds ownership into the process, preventing gaps in risk governance.
What should I do if I get this CRISC question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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