- A
Storing logs on the same server as the EHR application exposes them to alteration or deletion if the server is compromised.
Log integrity is compromised, which is a critical risk for monitoring and forensics.
- B
The 30-day log retention period is too short to detect long-term patterns of unauthorized access.
Why wrong: Retention is a concern but not the most significant risk compared to log integrity.
- C
Manual review of logs is ineffective and may miss critical events; automated monitoring should be implemented.
Why wrong: Manual review is a weakness but not the most critical risk.
- D
The audit log does not capture failed access attempts, which could indicate brute-force attacks or unauthorized access attempts.
Why wrong: This is a gap but not directly related to the monitoring approach's risk.
Quick Answer
The most significant risk is that storing logs on the same server as the EHR application exposes them to alteration or deletion if the server is compromised. This violates the foundational security principle of log segregation, which requires that audit logs be stored on a separate, hardened system to preserve their integrity and availability. Without this separation, an attacker who gains access to the EHR server can tamper with or wipe the logs to cover unauthorized activity, rendering the entire monitoring approach ineffective. On the CRISC exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the "detect" and "respond" domains, specifically the control objective of maintaining audit trail integrity. A common trap is focusing on the 30-day retention or manual review, but the core risk is the lack of log isolation—without it, even perfect logging is useless. Memory tip: "Same server, same risk—logs must be separate to be secure."
CRISC Risk and Control Monitoring and Reporting Practice Question
This CRISC practice question tests your understanding of risk and control monitoring and reporting. 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 risk manager for a healthcare organization that uses an electronic health records (EHR) system. The system has a built-in audit log that records all access to patient data. Recently, the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) raised a concern that there have been multiple reports of unauthorized access to patient records, but the audit log analysis has not identified any suspicious activity. You have been asked to investigate. Your review of the audit log configuration reveals that the system only logs successful access events, not failed access attempts. Additionally, the log retention period is set to 30 days, and the logs are stored in a flat file on the same server as the EHR application. The monitoring team manually reviews the logs at the end of each month. Which of the following is the MOST significant risk associated with the current monitoring approach?
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
Storing logs on the same server as the EHR application exposes them to alteration or deletion if the server is compromised.
Storing audit logs on the same server as the EHR application violates the principle of log segregation. If the server is compromised, an attacker can alter or delete the logs to cover their tracks, making detection impossible. This is the most significant risk because it directly undermines the integrity and availability of the evidence needed to investigate unauthorized access.
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.
- ✓
Storing logs on the same server as the EHR application exposes them to alteration or deletion if the server is compromised.
Why this is correct
Log integrity is compromised, which is a critical risk for monitoring and forensics.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The 30-day log retention period is too short to detect long-term patterns of unauthorized access.
Why it's wrong here
Retention is a concern but not the most significant risk compared to log integrity.
- ✗
Manual review of logs is ineffective and may miss critical events; automated monitoring should be implemented.
Why it's wrong here
Manual review is a weakness but not the most critical risk.
- ✗
The audit log does not capture failed access attempts, which could indicate brute-force attacks or unauthorized access attempts.
Why it's wrong here
This is a gap but not directly related to the monitoring approach's risk.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates focus on the operational deficiencies (short retention, manual review, missing failed attempts) rather than the foundational security control failure of log segregation, which is the most critical risk because it compromises the entire audit trail.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In a properly architected logging infrastructure, logs should be sent to a centralized, immutable, and separate log server (e.g., using syslog with TLS to a remote SIEM). Storing logs as flat files on the same host means they are subject to the same file system permissions and can be truncated or overwritten by an attacker with root access. Even with file integrity monitoring, the window for detection is narrow if the logs are co-located.
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 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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CRISC question test?
Risk and Control Monitoring and Reporting — This question tests Risk and Control Monitoring and Reporting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Storing logs on the same server as the EHR application exposes them to alteration or deletion if the server is compromised. — Storing audit logs on the same server as the EHR application violates the principle of log segregation. If the server is compromised, an attacker can alter or delete the logs to cover their tracks, making detection impossible. This is the most significant risk because it directly undermines the integrity and availability of the evidence needed to investigate unauthorized access.
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
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 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.
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