This CRISC practice question tests your understanding of it risk identification. 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 risk identification technique relies on analyzing past incidents to predict future risks?
Brainstorming
Why wrong: Brainstorming is a creative group activity, not based on past data.
Loss event data analysis
Loss event data analysis uses historical incident data to predict future risks.
SWOT analysis
Why wrong: SWOT analysis is a strategic tool, not specifically for risk identification.
Delphi technique
Why wrong: Delphi technique relies on expert opinions, not historical data.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Loss event data analysis
Loss event data analysis (B) is the correct risk identification technique because it systematically examines historical incident records, such as security logs, breach reports, and audit findings, to identify patterns and trends that can predict future risks. This empirical approach leverages past loss events to quantify likelihood and impact, making it distinct from generative or qualitative methods.
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.
Brainstorming
Why it's wrong here
Brainstorming is a creative group activity, not based on past data.
Loss event data analysis
Why this is correct
Loss event data analysis uses historical incident data to predict future risks.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
SWOT analysis
Why it's wrong here
SWOT analysis is a strategic tool, not specifically for risk identification.
Delphi technique
Why it's wrong here
Delphi technique relies on expert opinions, not historical data.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates confuse 'brainstorming' (a forward-looking ideation method) with data-driven analysis, failing to recognize that only loss event data analysis explicitly relies on historical incident records to predict future risks.
Detailed technical explanation
Loss event data analysis often involves mining structured data from SIEM systems, incident response databases, or risk registers, applying statistical methods like frequency analysis or regression to identify recurring threat vectors (e.g., phishing campaigns targeting specific departments). In practice, this technique is critical for building quantitative risk models, such as Annualized Loss Expectancy (ALE), where historical loss event frequencies directly feed into probability calculations.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
IT Risk Identification — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
IT Risk Identification practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All CRISC questions
500 questions across all exam domains
Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control CRISC study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
CRISC practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise CRISC questions linked to IT Risk Identification.
Practise CRISC questions linked to Risk Response and Mitigation.
Practise CRISC questions linked to Risk and Control Monitoring and Reporting.
Practise CRISC questions linked to IT Risk Assessment.
Practise CRISC questions linked to CRISC fundamentals.
Practise CRISC questions linked to CRISC scenario.
Practise CRISC questions linked to CRISC troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
IT Risk Identification — This question tests IT Risk Identification — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Loss event data analysis — Loss event data analysis (B) is the correct risk identification technique because it systematically examines historical incident records, such as security logs, breach reports, and audit findings, to identify patterns and trends that can predict future risks. This empirical approach leverages past loss events to quantify likelihood and impact, making it distinct from generative or qualitative methods.
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.
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 →
Keep practising
Last reviewed: Jun 25, 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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.