Quick Answer
The answer is threat modeling and brainstorming, as these are two of the recognized IT risk identification techniques explicitly cited in the CRISC exam domain. Threat modeling is correct because it systematically identifies threats, vulnerabilities, and potential attack vectors by analyzing system architecture, data flows, and trust boundaries, enabling proactive risk mitigation. Brainstorming leverages collective stakeholder expertise to surface a broad range of risk scenarios without requiring quantitative data, making it a foundational qualitative approach. On the Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish recognized techniques from informal or non-standard methods; a common trap is confusing risk identification with risk analysis tools like SWOT or Delphi. Remember the memory tip: “Think of the two Bs—Brainstorming and Building threat models—as the core pair for surfacing risks before you analyze them.”
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 recognized techniques for identifying IT risks? (Select exactly 2.)
ROI calculation
Why wrong: ROI is financial analysis, not risk identification.
Brainstorming sessions
Brainstorming with stakeholders generates risk ideas.
Benchmarking against industry peers
Why wrong: Benchmarking measures performance, not risks.
Threat modeling
Threat modeling systematically identifies threats and vulnerabilities.
SWOT analysis
Why wrong: SWOT is for strategic planning, not specific IT risk identification.
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 sessions
Brainstorming sessions (B) are a recognized technique for IT risk identification because they leverage the collective expertise of stakeholders to surface potential threats, vulnerabilities, and risk scenarios in a structured or unstructured group setting. This method is specifically cited in ISACA's CRISC Review Manual as a qualitative risk identification approach, often used during the early stages of risk assessment to generate a comprehensive list of risks without requiring quantitative data.
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.
ROI calculation
Why it's wrong here
ROI is financial analysis, not risk identification.
Brainstorming sessions
Why this is correct
Brainstorming with stakeholders generates risk ideas.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Benchmarking against industry peers
Why it's wrong here
Benchmarking measures performance, not risks.
Threat modeling
Why this is correct
Threat modeling systematically identifies threats and vulnerabilities.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
SWOT analysis
Why it's wrong here
SWOT is for strategic planning, not specific IT risk identification.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse strategic or financial analysis tools (like SWOT or ROI) with risk identification techniques, but CRISC specifically requires methods that directly uncover threats and vulnerabilities, such as brainstorming and threat modeling, rather than high-level planning or performance metrics.
Detailed technical explanation
Threat modeling (D) is a structured technique that systematically identifies threats by analyzing system architecture, data flows, trust boundaries, and attack surfaces, often using frameworks like STRIDE or PASTA. In practice, threat modeling goes beyond simple brainstorming by mapping potential attack vectors to specific assets and controls, enabling proactive risk mitigation before deployment. For example, a threat model for a web application might reveal SQL injection risks by tracing user input paths through the data flow diagram, which brainstorming alone might miss.
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
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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 sessions — Brainstorming sessions (B) are a recognized technique for IT risk identification because they leverage the collective expertise of stakeholders to surface potential threats, vulnerabilities, and risk scenarios in a structured or unstructured group setting. This method is specifically cited in ISACA's CRISC Review Manual as a qualitative risk identification approach, often used during the early stages of risk assessment to generate a comprehensive list of risks without requiring quantitative data.
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
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Same concept, more angles
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 key risk identification techniques used to identify threats and vulnerabilities in IT systems? (Select exactly 2.)
mediumWhy B: Vulnerability scanning is a key risk identification technique that systematically probes IT systems for known vulnerabilities, such as unpatched software or misconfigurations, using tools like Nessus or OpenVAS. It directly identifies weaknesses that could be exploited by threats, making it essential for the risk identification phase.
Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
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