- A
Managing user access controls
Why wrong: Access management is an operational IT function.
- B
Performing daily vulnerability scans
Why wrong: Daily scanning is operational, not a strategic ARB function.
- C
Reviewing solution architectures for security risks before implementation
This is a primary ARB responsibility.
- D
Responding to security incidents
Why wrong: Incident response is handled by security operations.
- E
Ensuring architecture alignment with risk appetite
ARB ensures designs comply with risk policies.
Question 492 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 TWO of the following are key functions of an Architecture Review Board (ARB) in managing 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
✓
Reviewing solution architectures for security risks before implementation
Option C is correct because a primary function of an Architecture Review Board (ARB) is to evaluate solution architectures for security risks prior to implementation. This proactive review ensures that security controls are embedded in the design phase, reducing the likelihood of vulnerabilities being introduced into production systems.
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.
- ✗
Managing user access controls
Why it's wrong here
Access management is an operational IT function.
- ✗
Performing daily vulnerability scans
Why it's wrong here
Daily scanning is operational, not a strategic ARB function.
- ✓
Reviewing solution architectures for security risks before implementation
Why this is correct
This is a primary ARB responsibility.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Responding to security incidents
Why it's wrong here
Incident response is handled by security operations.
- ✓
Ensuring architecture alignment with risk appetite
Why this is correct
ARB ensures designs comply with risk policies.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is confusing operational security tasks (like access control, scanning, or incident response) with the strategic, governance-focused role of the ARB, which is to ensure architectural decisions align with risk appetite and security requirements before deployment.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The ARB operates at a governance level, reviewing architecture artifacts such as data flow diagrams, network topologies, and security control specifications against enterprise security standards and risk appetite thresholds. For example, an ARB might reject a proposed microservices architecture that lacks mutual TLS (mTLS) for service-to-service communication, citing non-compliance with the organization's encryption policy. This pre-implementation gate reduces the cost and effort of retrofitting security controls later in the development lifecycle.
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
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Information Technology and Security practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All CRISC questions
1,000 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
Related CRISC practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
IT Risk Identification practice questions
Practise CRISC questions linked to IT Risk Identification.
IT Risk Assessment practice questions
Practise CRISC questions linked to IT Risk Assessment.
Risk Response and Reporting practice questions
Practise CRISC questions linked to Risk Response and Reporting.
Information Technology and Security practice questions
Practise CRISC questions linked to Information Technology and Security.
Risk Response and Mitigation practice questions
Practise CRISC questions linked to Risk Response and Mitigation.
Risk and Control Monitoring and Reporting practice questions
Practise CRISC questions linked to Risk and Control Monitoring and Reporting.
CRISC fundamentals practice questions
Practise CRISC questions linked to CRISC fundamentals.
CRISC scenario practice questions
Practise CRISC questions linked to CRISC scenario.
CRISC troubleshooting practice questions
Practise CRISC questions linked to CRISC troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free CRISC practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
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: Reviewing solution architectures for security risks before implementation — Option C is correct because a primary function of an Architecture Review Board (ARB) is to evaluate solution architectures for security risks prior to implementation. This proactive review ensures that security controls are embedded in the design phase, reducing the likelihood of vulnerabilities being introduced into production systems.
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.
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.