- A
Application architecture
Why wrong: Application architecture deals with software applications, not the data layer itself.
- B
Data architecture
Correct. Data architecture manages data assets and requires data protection controls.
- C
Technology architecture
Why wrong: Technology architecture includes infrastructure, but data architecture is specific to data.
- D
Business architecture
Why wrong: Business architecture focuses on strategy and processes, not data management.
Question 304 of 1,000
CRISC Information Technology and Security Practice Question
This CRISC practice question tests your understanding of information technology and security. 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.
Which enterprise architecture layer is most directly responsible for managing the storage and processing of data, and for which data classification and encryption controls are critical?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Data architecture
Data architecture is the enterprise architecture layer that defines how data is stored, managed, and processed, including data models, data flows, and storage structures. Data classification and encryption controls are critical at this layer because they directly protect the confidentiality and integrity of data at rest and in transit, ensuring compliance with policies and regulations.
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.
- ✗
Application architecture
Why it's wrong here
Application architecture deals with software applications, not the data layer itself.
- ✓
Data architecture
Why this is correct
Correct. Data architecture manages data assets and requires data protection controls.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Technology architecture
Why it's wrong here
Technology architecture includes infrastructure, but data architecture is specific to data.
- ✗
Business architecture
Why it's wrong here
Business architecture focuses on strategy and processes, not data management.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse data architecture with technology architecture, mistakenly thinking that hardware or infrastructure layers are responsible for data classification and encryption, when in fact these controls are defined and managed at the data layer itself.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Data architecture encompasses logical and physical data models, data dictionaries, and data governance policies, including classification schemas (e.g., public, internal, confidential, restricted) that dictate encryption requirements such as AES-256 for data at rest or TLS 1.3 for data in transit. In practice, a misalignment between data classification and encryption controls can lead to data exposure, as seen when unencrypted sensitive data is stored in a data lake due to a missing classification tag, violating compliance mandates like GDPR or PCI DSS.
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.
- →
Information Technology and Security — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CRISC question test?
Information Technology and Security — This question tests Information Technology and Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Data architecture — Data architecture is the enterprise architecture layer that defines how data is stored, managed, and processed, including data models, data flows, and storage structures. Data classification and encryption controls are critical at this layer because they directly protect the confidentiality and integrity of data at rest and in transit, ensuring compliance with policies and regulations.
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
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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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