Quick Answer
The correct next step is to perform a control effectiveness test to validate the control. This is because a control operating as designed does not guarantee it is actually reducing risk to an acceptable level; effectiveness testing provides objective evidence of whether the control’s design and operation are truly mitigating the identified risk. On the CRISC exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the distinction between control operation and control effectiveness—a common trap is assuming a control owner’s report of “operating as designed” is sufficient, when in fact high residual risk signals a potential gap in mitigation. The risk practitioner must gather empirical data before escalating or recommending compensating controls. Remember the memory tip: “Design says it works, but effectiveness proves it works.”
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 control owner reports that a preventive control is operating as designed, but the risk owner is concerned that residual risk remains high. What should the risk practitioner do NEXT?
Update the risk register to reflect the high residual risk.
Why wrong: Should be done after verification.
Recommend additional compensating controls.
Why wrong: May be needed after testing.
Escalate the issue to the risk committee.
Why wrong: Not necessary without further analysis.
Perform a control effectiveness test to validate the control.
Verifies if control mitigates risk as intended.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Perform a control effectiveness test to validate the control.
The risk practitioner must first validate the control's effectiveness before taking any further action. Even though the control owner reports the preventive control is operating as designed, the risk owner's concern about high residual risk suggests the control may not be adequately mitigating the risk. Performing a control effectiveness test (D) provides objective evidence to determine whether the control is actually reducing risk to an acceptable level, which is the necessary next step before updating the risk register, recommending compensating controls, or escalating.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Update the risk register to reflect the high residual risk.
Why it's wrong here
Should be done after verification.
Recommend additional compensating controls.
Why it's wrong here
May be needed after testing.
Escalate the issue to the risk committee.
Why it's wrong here
Not necessary without further analysis.
Perform a control effectiveness test to validate the control.
Why this is correct
Verifies if control mitigates risk as intended.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates assume the control owner's report of 'operating as designed' is sufficient evidence, but CRISC emphasizes that control effectiveness must be independently validated through testing before concluding on residual risk.
Detailed technical explanation
Control effectiveness testing typically involves both design assessment (e.g., reviewing control documentation, walkthroughs) and operating effectiveness testing (e.g., sampling transactions, reviewing logs, or performing automated tests). For example, a preventive control like a firewall rule may be 'operating as designed' but still allow traffic that bypasses the intended restriction due to misconfigured rule order or overlapping rules. The risk practitioner should use techniques such as control attribute sampling (e.g., AICPA audit guide sampling) or automated control monitoring tools (e.g., SIEM correlation rules) to quantify the control's failure rate and determine if residual risk is within the organization's risk appetite.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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FAQ
Risk and Control Monitoring and Reporting — This question tests Risk and Control Monitoring and Reporting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Perform a control effectiveness test to validate the control. — The risk practitioner must first validate the control's effectiveness before taking any further action. Even though the control owner reports the preventive control is operating as designed, the risk owner's concern about high residual risk suggests the control may not be adequately mitigating the risk. Performing a control effectiveness test (D) provides objective evidence to determine whether the control is actually reducing risk to an acceptable level, which is the necessary next step before updating the risk register, recommending compensating controls, or escalating.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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