CRISC IT Risk Identification Practice Question
Which of the following threat actors is MOST likely to be motivated by ideology rather than financial gain?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap is conflating 'ideology' with 'political state interest'; nation-state APTs are politically motivated but serve state interests, whereas hacktivists are the classic ideology-driven actor, so candidates must distinguish grassroots ideological motive from state-sponsored geopolitical motive.
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
✓
Hacktivist
Hacktivists are defined by their ideological, political, or social motivations, using cyberattacks to promote a cause, protest, or draw attention to perceived injustices. Their primary goal is message amplification or disruption, not monetary profit. This distinguishes them from financially driven actors such as organized crime.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Organized crime
Why it's wrong here
Organised crime pursues profit through ransomware, fraud and data theft, so financial gain drives it rather than ideology. Its structure and funding exist to monetise access. It would be the correct choice if the scenario described financially motivated actors targeting revenue, extortion or resale of stolen data.
- ✗
Nation-state APT
Why it's wrong here
Nation-state APTs primarily serve state interests such as espionage, disruption or geopolitical leverage, which may align with ideology but are directed by government objectives rather than personal ideological conviction. They would be correct where the scenario specifies state-sponsored, strategic intelligence gathering against government or critical infrastructure targets.
- ✗
Script kiddie
Why it's wrong here
Script kiddies typically act for curiosity, bragging rights or low-level disruption, using readily available tools, not sustained ideological agendas. Ideology-driven attacks demand resources and commitment beyond their typical capability. They are the right answer when the question asks about low-sophistication, opportunistic attackers rather than politically or ideologically motivated ones.
- ✓
Hacktivist
Why this is correct
Hacktivists act primarily to advance political, social, or ideological causes, using attacks such as defacement and data leaks for publicity rather than profit. Unlike organised crime or insiders, their motivation is ideological, making them the threat actor most likely driven by ideology instead of financial gain.
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official ISACA exam blueprint
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.