The answer is brainstorming workshops and reviewing internal and external audit findings. These two are considered primary techniques for IT risk identification because they directly engage stakeholders and historical evidence to uncover potential threats and vulnerabilities before they materialize, rather than focusing on technical flaws or post-event impacts. On the Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control CRISC exam, this question tests your understanding of the risk identification phase within the risk assessment process, where proactive, qualitative methods like facilitated sessions and audit reviews are emphasized over technical scans or business impact analyses. A common trap is confusing vulnerability scanning, which identifies specific technical weaknesses, with risk identification, which looks at broader business exposures. Remember the memory tip: “Think people and paper—brainstorm with the team, then review the audit paper.”
CRISC IT Risk Identification Practice Question
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 TWO of the following are primary techniques for identifying IT risks in an organization? (Choose two.)
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "primary"
Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Brainstorming workshops with process owners
Correct: A and C. Brainstorming workshops (A) and reviewing audit findings (C) are direct risk identification methods. Vulnerability scanning (B) identifies technical issues, not risk per se. BIA (D) focuses on impact. Control testing (E) tests controls, not identify risks.
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.
✗
Vulnerability scanning
Why it's wrong here
Vulnerability scanning identifies technical weaknesses, not risk analysis.
✗
Business impact analysis (BIA)
Why it's wrong here
BIA assesses impact of disruptions, not identification of new risks.
✓
Brainstorming workshops with process owners
Why this is correct
A common qualitative risk identification technique.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Control self-assessments
Why it's wrong here
CSA evaluates control effectiveness, not primary risk identification.
✓
Reviewing internal and external audit findings
Why this is correct
Provides historical risk data and control deficiencies.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 CRISC exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
IT Risk Identification — This question tests IT Risk Identification — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Brainstorming workshops with process owners — Correct: A and C. Brainstorming workshops (A) and reviewing audit findings (C) are direct risk identification methods. Vulnerability scanning (B) identifies technical issues, not risk per se. BIA (D) focuses on impact. Control testing (E) tests controls, not identify risks.
What should I do if I get this CRISC question wrong?
Identify which CRISC exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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