Quick Answer
The answer is SWOT analysis, brainstorming, and scanning. These three techniques are effective for identifying IT risks because they each address different dimensions of the risk landscape: SWOT analysis evaluates internal strengths and weaknesses alongside external opportunities and threats, brainstorming leverages group creativity to uncover hidden or emerging risks, and scanning systematically reviews the environment for new vulnerabilities or regulatory changes. On the Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control CRISC exam, this question tests your understanding that risk identification requires both structured and unstructured approaches, often appearing in scenario-based items where you must distinguish proactive techniques from reactive controls. A common trap is confusing vulnerability assessments with identification techniques—remember that scanning here refers to environmental or trend scanning, not technical vulnerability scanning. For a memory tip, think “BSS” for Brainstorming, Scanning, and SWOT—three lenses to catch what automated tools miss.
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 THREE of the following are effective techniques for identifying IT risks?
Root cause analysis
Why wrong: Root cause analysis is used for incident analysis, not proactive identification.
Cost-benefit analysis
Why wrong: Cost-benefit analysis is used for evaluating controls.
Brainstorming
Brainstorming is a common technique for risk identification.
Vulnerability scanning
Vulnerability scanning identifies technical vulnerabilities.
SWOT analysis
SWOT analysis helps identify risks from environmental factors.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Brainstorming
Brainstorming is a structured group technique that leverages the collective expertise of stakeholders to identify a wide range of IT risks, including emerging threats and vulnerabilities that may not be captured by automated tools. It is effective because it encourages creative thinking and surfaces risks related to business processes, third-party dependencies, and human factors that are often missed by purely technical assessments.
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.
Root cause analysis
Why it's wrong here
Root cause analysis is used for incident analysis, not proactive identification.
Cost-benefit analysis
Why it's wrong here
Cost-benefit analysis is used for evaluating controls.
Brainstorming
Why this is correct
Brainstorming is a common technique for risk identification.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Vulnerability scanning
Why this is correct
Vulnerability scanning identifies technical vulnerabilities.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
SWOT analysis
Why this is correct
SWOT analysis helps identify risks from environmental factors.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is confusing risk identification techniques with risk analysis or risk treatment techniques, leading candidates to select root cause analysis (a post-incident technique) or cost-benefit analysis (a decision-making tool) instead of recognizing that brainstorming, vulnerability scanning, and SWOT analysis are all valid methods for initially identifying risks.
Detailed technical explanation
Effective brainstorming sessions for IT risk identification often follow the Delphi method or nominal group technique to reduce groupthink and ensure diverse input. In practice, a facilitator might use a risk taxonomy (e.g., from ISO 27005 or NIST SP 800-30) to prompt discussion on categories such as threat sources, vulnerabilities, and asset impacts, ensuring comprehensive coverage across people, process, and technology domains.
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
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
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FAQ
IT Risk Identification — This question tests IT Risk Identification — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Brainstorming — Brainstorming is a structured group technique that leverages the collective expertise of stakeholders to identify a wide range of IT risks, including emerging threats and vulnerabilities that may not be captured by automated tools. It is effective because it encourages creative thinking and surfaces risks related to business processes, third-party dependencies, and human factors that are often missed by purely technical assessments.
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 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.
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