- A
Percentage of systems with missing critical patches
This is a leading indicator of potential future exploits.
- B
Number of audit findings resolved
Why wrong: This is a lagging indicator of past remediation.
- C
Number of security incidents this quarter
Why wrong: This is a lagging indicator, as it reports past incidents.
- D
Total cost of security incidents
Why wrong: This is a lagging indicator.
Question 611 of 1,000
CRISC Risk Response and Reporting Practice Question
This CRISC practice question tests your understanding of risk response 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.
Which of the following is an example of a leading Key Risk Indicator (KRI) for IT risk?
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
✓
Percentage of systems with missing critical patches
A leading Key Risk Indicator (KRI) predicts future risk events by measuring conditions that precede incidents. Missing critical patches on systems directly indicate a higher likelihood of exploitation, making it a leading indicator. In contrast, lagging KRIs like incident counts or costs measure outcomes after the fact.
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.
- ✓
Percentage of systems with missing critical patches
Why this is correct
This is a leading indicator of potential future exploits.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Number of audit findings resolved
Why it's wrong here
This is a lagging indicator of past remediation.
- ✗
Number of security incidents this quarter
Why it's wrong here
This is a lagging indicator, as it reports past incidents.
- ✗
Total cost of security incidents
Why it's wrong here
This is a lagging indicator.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is confusing leading indicators (which predict risk) with lagging indicators (which measure past events), leading candidates to pick options like the number of security incidents or audit findings resolved, which are reactive rather than predictive.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Leading KRIs for IT risk often track patch compliance because unpatched vulnerabilities are a primary vector for exploits, as seen in CVEs like those in Microsoft Exchange Server (e.g., ProxyLogon). The percentage of systems with missing critical patches can be monitored via tools like Microsoft SCCM or WSUS, and a threshold (e.g., >5% missing) can trigger proactive remediation before an incident occurs. This contrasts with lagging KRIs, which are useful for historical analysis but not for early warning.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CRISC question test?
Risk Response and Reporting — This question tests Risk Response and Reporting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Percentage of systems with missing critical patches — A leading Key Risk Indicator (KRI) predicts future risk events by measuring conditions that precede incidents. Missing critical patches on systems directly indicate a higher likelihood of exploitation, making it a leading indicator. In contrast, lagging KRIs like incident counts or costs measure outcomes after the fact.
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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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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