The answer is to map controls to the shared responsibility model and assess both sides. This approach is correct because in a public cloud environment, security obligations are split: the provider handles infrastructure layers like physical security and the hypervisor, while the customer retains responsibility for data, configurations, and access management. A cloud shared responsibility risk assessment must therefore evaluate each control against the specific party accountable, preventing coverage gaps and aligning with frameworks like the CSA Cloud Controls Matrix and NIST SP 800-146. On the CRISC exam, this tests your understanding of joint accountability in cloud governance—a frequent trap is assuming the provider covers all risks, which ignores customer-side misconfigurations. Remember the memory tip: “Map it, don’t gap it”—always visualize the control ownership line between provider and customer to avoid overlooking half the risk surface.
CRISC IT Risk Assessment Practice Question
This CRISC practice question tests your understanding of it risk assessment. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 multinational corporation is migrating critical applications to a public cloud provider. The IT risk manager needs to design a risk assessment approach that addresses shared responsibility. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate approach?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Map controls to the shared responsibility model and assess both sides
In a public cloud shared responsibility model, the cloud provider secures the infrastructure (e.g., physical security, hypervisor), while the customer secures their data, configurations, and access controls. Option D is correct because it requires mapping each control to the specific party responsible (customer vs. provider) and assessing both sides, ensuring no gaps in coverage. This approach aligns with the CSA Cloud Controls Matrix and NIST SP 800-146, which mandate joint accountability.
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.
✗
Assess only the cloud provider's security controls
Why it's wrong here
The organization retains responsibility for data, access management, and configuration.
✗
Assume that the provider's controls cover all risks
Why it's wrong here
Inherited controls must be verified and supplemented as needed.
✗
Perform a data leakage risk assessment for each application
Why it's wrong here
Too narrow; a full assessment should cover availability, compliance, and other risks.
✓
Map controls to the shared responsibility model and assess both sides
Why this is correct
This ensures all areas are covered according to the provider's model.
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 assume the cloud provider is fully responsible for all security, overlooking the customer's contractual and operational obligations under the shared responsibility model, which is a core CRISC concept for cloud risk assessments.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, the shared responsibility model is defined by the cloud provider's terms (e.g., AWS: 'Security of the Cloud' vs. 'Security in the Cloud') and varies by service model (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS). For example, in AWS EC2 (IaaS), the customer manages the guest OS, firewall rules (security groups), and data encryption, while AWS manages the physical host and virtualization layer. A real-world scenario: a misconfigured S3 bucket (customer responsibility) led to the Capital One breach, not a failure of AWS's infrastructure controls.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
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 Assessment — This question tests IT Risk Assessment — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Map controls to the shared responsibility model and assess both sides — In a public cloud shared responsibility model, the cloud provider secures the infrastructure (e.g., physical security, hypervisor), while the customer secures their data, configurations, and access controls. Option D is correct because it requires mapping each control to the specific party responsible (customer vs. provider) and assessing both sides, ensuring no gaps in coverage. This approach aligns with the CSA Cloud Controls Matrix and NIST SP 800-146, which mandate joint accountability.
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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