Question

Difficulty: MediumRisk Identification, Assessment, and Response Strategies

A cloud-based SaaS organization is evaluating security management options to address vulnerabilities identified in a legacy customer authentication service. The Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) recommends deploying an inline Web Application Firewall (WAF) to filter malicious input and purchasing a cyber liability insurance policy to cover regulatory penalties and third-party losses in the event of a breach. Which of the following risk response strategies are being directly implemented through these combined actions? (Select TWO.)

  1. Risk MitigationAnswer
  2. Risk TransferenceAnswer
  3. C
    Risk Avoidance
  4. D
    Risk Acceptance

Answer

The organization is implementing Risk Mitigation by deploying a Web Application Firewall to decrease exploit probability, and Risk Transference by procuring cyber liability insurance to shift financial risk.
Risk Mitigation involves applying controls—such as technical firewall rules—to reduce risk to an acceptable level. Risk Transference involves reassigning financial risk or liability to a third party, such as an insurance carrier. Both strategies are clearly demonstrated by deploying the Web Application Firewall and purchasing cyber liability insurance.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the technical control implementation
Deploying a WAF active control decreases attack impact and likelihood.
Actions that decrease vulnerability impact or threat likelihood align with Risk Mitigation.
2
Analyze the financial protection strategy
Securing cyber insurance shifts potential monetary loss to an insurer.
Sharing or delegating financial impacts of a risk to a third party aligns with Risk Transference.
3
Evaluate distractor strategies against scenario facts
Avoidance (retiring service) and Acceptance (taking no action) are not present.
The service remains active and deliberate remediation steps are taken.

Key Concept

Risk Response Selection and Alignment
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