ISC2 CC Security Principles Practice Question
A company implements a new firewall and intrusion detection system to reduce the risk of network breaches. This is an example of:
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates confuse mitigation with avoidance — candidates see 'reduce the risk' and pick avoidance, forgetting that avoidance requires eliminating the underlying activity, not adding controls.
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
✓
Risk mitigation
Risk mitigation reduces the likelihood or impact of a threat by implementing controls; a firewall and IDS are detective and preventive controls that lower the probability and severity of a network breach without eliminating the risk entirely. This is the textbook definition of mitigation — the risk still exists but is reduced to an acceptable level.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Risk avoidance
Why it's wrong here
Risk avoidance means eliminating the activity or asset that creates the risk entirely, whereas firewalls and IDS mitigate likelihood while the network keeps operating. It is tempting because avoidance is correct when a process is too dangerous to run at all, such as discontinuing an insecure service.
- ✗
Risk acceptance
Why it's wrong here
Risk acceptance means acknowledging a risk and taking no mitigating action, so deploying firewalls and IDS contradicts it. It is tempting because acceptance is a legitimate response when the cost of control exceeds the potential loss, or when residual risk after other treatments is tolerable.
- ✗
Risk transfer
Why it's wrong here
Risk transfer shifts financial impact to a third party, typically through insurance or contracts; firewalls and IDS reduce likelihood instead of moving loss. It is tempting because transfer is valid when another party can absorb the consequence, such as cyber-insurance covering breach costs.
- ✓
Risk mitigation
Why this is correct
Risk mitigation reduces the likelihood or impact of a threat through controls. Deploying a firewall and intrusion detection system applies preventive and detective controls that lower breach probability, rather than transferring, avoiding or accepting the risk.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Network Security Components and Controls
Key term
Threat
A threat is any potential danger that could harm a computer system, network, or data, whether from a malicious hacker, a natural disaster, or an accidental mistake.
Key term
Intrusion Detection System
An Intrusion Detection System (IDS) is a security tool that monitors network traffic or system activities for malicious actions or policy violations and sends alerts to administrators.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official ISC2 exam blueprint
This CC practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 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 CC exam.