The correct course of action is to close the port or implement a VPN, and enforce encryption. This directly treats the risk by eliminating the internet-facing exposure of the database and protecting PII in transit, which aligns with the cloud data protection shared responsibility model where securing database configurations falls on the customer. On the CRISC exam, this scenario tests your ability to apply risk treatment options—specifically mitigation—when a high-likelihood, high-impact vulnerability violates regulatory requirements like GDPR. A common trap is confusing risk acceptance with compliance obligations, or assuming a compensating control like a WAF addresses the lack of encryption for data in motion. Remember the key principle: when PII is exposed and unencrypted, you must close the attack surface and encrypt the channel—never accept or transfer a risk that breaks the law. A useful memory tip is “Close and Encrypt, or GDPR will convict.”
CRISC IT Risk Assessment Practice Question
This CRISC practice question tests your understanding of it risk assessment. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
You are the IT risk manager at a multinational corporation that recently migrated its customer database to a cloud-based platform. The database contains personally identifiable information (PII) subject to GDPR. During a routine vulnerability scan, you discover that the database is accessible from the internet without encryption (port 1433 open). The cloud provider's shared responsibility model indicates that securing the database configuration is the customer's responsibility. You have identified the risk as high likelihood and high impact. The business owner argues that the database is only accessible to a limited IP range and that encryption would degrade performance. Which course of action should you recommend to treat the risk?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Close the port or implement a VPN, and enforce encryption
Option D is correct because closing the port or implementing a VPN is the most effective way to eliminate the direct exposure, and encryption should be applied to protect data in transit. Option A is wrong because accepting risk without compensating controls violates GDPR requirements. Option B is wrong because a compensating control (WAF) does not address the lack of encryption. Option C is wrong because transferring risk via cyber insurance does not reduce the actual exposure.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Transfer the risk by purchasing cyber insurance
Why it's wrong here
Insurance does not prevent data exposure or GDPR fines.
✓
Close the port or implement a VPN, and enforce encryption
Why this is correct
This directly mitigates the vulnerability and ensures compliance.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Accept the risk because the IP restriction reduces likelihood
Why it's wrong here
IP restriction may still be insufficient for GDPR; acceptance is not appropriate.
✗
Implement a web application firewall (WAF) to monitor traffic
Why it's wrong here
WAF does not enforce encryption on the database connection.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related CRISC NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
IT Risk Assessment — This question tests IT Risk Assessment — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Close the port or implement a VPN, and enforce encryption — Option D is correct because closing the port or implementing a VPN is the most effective way to eliminate the direct exposure, and encryption should be applied to protect data in transit. Option A is wrong because accepting risk without compensating controls violates GDPR requirements. Option B is wrong because a compensating control (WAF) does not address the lack of encryption. Option C is wrong because transferring risk via cyber insurance does not reduce the actual exposure.
What should I do if I get this CRISC question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related CRISC NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Question Discussion
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