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Primary Sources of IT Risk Identification
Which TWO of the following are primary sources of IT risk identification? (Select exactly TWO.)
Quick Answer
The answer is threat intelligence feeds and incident reports. These are primary sources of IT risk identification because they provide direct, actionable data on actual or potential threats and vulnerabilities. Threat intelligence feeds offer real-time or near-real-time information on emerging attack vectors, malicious actors, and exploit trends from external sources, enabling proactive risk detection. Incident reports, as the explanation notes, deliver concrete evidence of past security events—such as system breaches or malware infections—allowing risk practitioners to identify control weaknesses and recurring patterns. On the CRISC exam, this question tests your understanding of the distinction between primary sources (direct evidence of risk) and secondary sources (like audit findings or vendor assessments). A common trap is confusing vulnerability scans, which identify technical weaknesses, with primary risk identification sources. For a memory tip, remember that primary sources are the “first responders” of risk data: threat feeds look outward, incident reports look inward.
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates often mistake asset inventory (a passive inventory list) as a primary risk identification source, when in fact it is a prerequisite for risk assessment but does not itself identify risks; the exam expects you to distinguish between inputs for risk assessment and sources that actively reveal risk events.
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
✓
Incident reports
Incident reports are a primary source of IT risk identification because they provide direct evidence of past security events, such as malware infections, unauthorized access attempts, or system failures. By analyzing incident reports, risk practitioners can identify patterns, root causes, and control weaknesses that represent current or emerging risks. This historical data is essential for updating the risk register and prioritizing remediation efforts based on actual impact.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Incident reports
Why this is correct
Incident reports document past events and vulnerabilities, revealing risks that materialized.
- ✓
Threat intelligence feeds
Why this is correct
Threat intelligence provides information on current and emerging threats, directly identifying risks.
- ✗
Asset inventory
Why it's wrong here
Asset inventory is essential for context but does not itself identify risks.
- ✗
Risk appetite
Why it's wrong here
Risk appetite defines the level of risk the organization is willing to accept, not a source of identification.
- ✗
Policy documents
Why it's wrong here
Policies define requirements, not dynamic risk information.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on CRISC
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Which TWO of the following are primary sources of risk identification for IT projects? (Select exactly 2.)
easy- A.Security baseline
- ✓ B.Project documentation
- C.Risk treatment plan
- D.Firewall logs
- ✓ E.Lessons learned from previous projects
Why B: Option B (Project documentation) is a primary source of risk identification because artifacts such as the project charter, scope statement, WBS, schedule, assumptions log, and stakeholder register expose uncertainties, dependencies, and constraints that can become risks. Option E (Lessons learned from previous projects) is also a primary source, since historical records from comparable projects reveal recurring threats, failure patterns, and effective mitigations that should inform the current risk register. Option A (Security baseline) is a control configuration reference, not a risk identification input; it defines required settings rather than surfacing project risks. Option C (Risk treatment plan) is an output of the risk management process that documents responses to already-identified risks, so it cannot be a primary source of identification. Option D (Firewall logs) are operational security monitoring data used for detection and incident response, not a standard project risk identification source.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.