The answer is conducting a threat modeling exercise focusing on the cloud architecture. This is the most effective approach for cloud migration risk identification because it systematically maps data flows, trust boundaries, and attack vectors unique to the public cloud environment, such as misconfigured APIs or insecure data transit, using frameworks like STRIDE or PASTA. On the CRISC exam, this question tests your ability to differentiate proactive, architecture-specific analysis from generic audits or checklist reviews—a common trap is choosing a broad risk assessment that misses cloud-native threats like shared responsibility gaps. For a memory tip, remember that threat modeling is like a blueprint review for a new house: you inspect the foundation (architecture) before moving in, not after.
CRISC IT Risk Identification Practice Question
This CRISC practice question tests your understanding of it risk identification. 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 company is migrating its customer database to a public cloud provider. During the planning phase, which of the following is the MOST effective approach to identify risks specific to this migration?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Conduct a threat modeling exercise focusing on the cloud architecture
Conducting a threat modeling exercise (D) is the most effective approach because it systematically identifies threats, vulnerabilities, and attack vectors specific to the cloud architecture, data flow, and trust boundaries of the migration. Unlike generic reviews, threat modeling (e.g., using STRIDE or PASTA) directly addresses the unique risks of moving a customer database to a public cloud, such as misconfigured access controls, insecure APIs, or data exposure during transit.
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.
✗
Review industry risk reports for similar migrations
Why it's wrong here
Generic reports may not cover specific cloud provider risks.
✗
Rely on the cloud provider's published risk documentation
Why it's wrong here
Vendor docs are not a substitute for proactive risk identification.
✗
Perform a compliance checklist review
Why it's wrong here
Checklists focus on compliance, not all technical risks.
✓
Conduct a threat modeling exercise focusing on the cloud architecture
Why this is correct
Threat modeling identifies environment-specific threats like data exposure and misconfigurations.
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 a compliance checklist (C) or industry reports (A) because they seem thorough and authoritative, but the CRISC exam emphasizes that risk identification must be proactive and architecture-specific, not reactive or generic.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Threat modeling for cloud migrations often uses the STRIDE framework (Spoofing, Tampering, Repudiation, Information Disclosure, Denial of Service, Elevation of Privilege) applied to each component of the cloud architecture, such as virtual networks, IAM roles, and storage buckets. For example, a threat model would identify that a misconfigured AWS S3 bucket policy could allow unauthorized read access to the customer database, a risk that a compliance checklist or provider documentation would not highlight. Real-world scenarios like the Capital One breach (2019) underscore how a missing WAF rule and over-permissive IAM role led to data exfiltration, which a targeted threat model could have caught.
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: Conduct a threat modeling exercise focusing on the cloud architecture — Conducting a threat modeling exercise (D) is the most effective approach because it systematically identifies threats, vulnerabilities, and attack vectors specific to the cloud architecture, data flow, and trust boundaries of the migration. Unlike generic reviews, threat modeling (e.g., using STRIDE or PASTA) directly addresses the unique risks of moving a customer database to a public cloud, such as misconfigured access controls, insecure APIs, or data exposure during transit.
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.
About these practice questions
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Variation 1. An organization is considering migrating its customer database to a public cloud provider. Which of the following is the PRIMARY risk identification technique that should be used to identify potential data exposure risks?
easy
A.Vulnerability scanning
✓ B.Threat modeling
C.Penetration testing
D.Business impact analysis
Why B: Threat modeling is the primary risk identification technique for proactively identifying potential data exposure risks during a cloud migration. It systematically analyzes the system architecture, data flows, and trust boundaries to uncover threats such as misconfigured access controls, insecure APIs, or data leakage between tenants. Unlike reactive techniques, threat modeling focuses on design-level vulnerabilities before they are exploited.
Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
Question Discussion
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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.
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