PECB ISO-IEC-27005 Risk Manager Practice Exams
Last updated on Oct 21,2026- Exam Code: ISO-IEC-27005 Risk Manager
- Exam Name: PECB Certified ISO/IEC 27005 Risk Manager
- Certification Provider: PECB
- Latest update: Oct 21,2026
After creating a plan for outsourcing to a cloud service provider to store their confidential information in cloud, OrgX decided to not pursue this business strategy since the risk of doing so was high .
Which risk treatment option did OrgX use?
- A . Risk avoidance
- B . Risk sharing
- C . Risk modification
A
Explanation:
OrgX decided not to pursue a business strategy involving outsourcing to a cloud service provider due to the high risk. This decision reflects a "risk avoidance" strategy, where the organization chooses not to engage in an activity that poses unacceptable risks. This aligns with option A.
After creating a plan for outsourcing to a cloud service provider to store their confidential information in cloud, OrgX decided to not pursue this business strategy since the risk of doing so was high .
Which risk treatment option did OrgX use?
- A . Risk avoidance
- B . Risk sharing
- C . Risk modification
A
Explanation:
OrgX decided not to pursue a business strategy involving outsourcing to a cloud service provider due to the high risk. This decision reflects a "risk avoidance" strategy, where the organization chooses not to engage in an activity that poses unacceptable risks. This aligns with option A.
An internal employee clicks on a link embedded in an email that redirects them to an unsecured website, installing a malware on the device.
The likelihood of occurrence for the first risk scenario was determined as “medium.” One of the main reasons that such a risk could occur was the usage of default accounts and password. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability and launch a brute-force attack. Therefore, Productscape decided to start using an automated “build and deploy” process which would test the software on deploy and minimize the likelihood of such an incident from happening. However, the team made it clear that the implementation of this process would not eliminate the risk completely and that there was still a low possibility for this risk to occur. Productscape documented the remaining risk and decided to monitor it for changes.
The likelihood of occurrence for the second risk scenario was determined as “medium.” Productscape decided to contract an IT company that would provide technical assistance and monitor the company’s systems and networks in order to prevent such incidents from happening. The likelihood of occurrence for the third risk scenario was determined as “high.” Thus, Productscape decided to include phishing as a topic on their information security training sessions. In addition, Alex reviewed the controls of Annex A of ISO/IEC 27001 in order to determine the necessary controls for treating this risk. Alex decided to implement control A.8.23 Web filtering which would help the company to reduce the risk of accessing unsecure websites. Although security controls were implemented to treat the risk, the level of the residual risk still did not meet the risk acceptance criteria defined in the beginning of the risk assessment process. Since the cost of implementing additional controls was too high for the company, Productscape decided to accept the residual risk. Therefore, risk owners were assigned the responsibility of managing the residual risk.
Based on the scenario above, answer the following question: Which risk treatment option was used for the first risk scenario?
- A . Risk modification
- B . Risk avoidance
- C . Risk sharing
A
Explanation:
Risk modification involves implementing measures to reduce the likelihood or impact of a risk. In the first risk scenario, Productscape decided to use an automated "build and deploy" process to reduce the likelihood of an attacker exploiting a security misconfiguration vulnerability. This action aims to lower the risk to an acceptable level, which is characteristic of risk modification.
Option B (Risk avoidance) would involve eliminating the risk by avoiding the activity altogether, which is not what was done.
Option C (Risk sharing) involves transferring some or all of the risk to a third party, which is not applicable in this scenario.
An internal employee clicks on a link embedded in an email that redirects them to an unsecured website, installing a malware on the device.
The likelihood of occurrence for the first risk scenario was determined as “medium.” One of the main reasons that such a risk could occur was the usage of default accounts and password. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability and launch a brute-force attack. Therefore, Productscape decided to start using an automated “build and deploy” process which would test the software on deploy and minimize the likelihood of such an incident from happening. However, the team made it clear that the implementation of this process would not eliminate the risk completely and that there was still a low possibility for this risk to occur. Productscape documented the remaining risk and decided to monitor it for changes.
The likelihood of occurrence for the second risk scenario was determined as “medium.” Productscape decided to contract an IT company that would provide technical assistance and monitor the company’s systems and networks in order to prevent such incidents from happening. The likelihood of occurrence for the third risk scenario was determined as “high.” Thus, Productscape decided to include phishing as a topic on their information security training sessions. In addition, Alex reviewed the controls of Annex A of ISO/IEC 27001 in order to determine the necessary controls for treating this risk. Alex decided to implement control A.8.23 Web filtering which would help the company to reduce the risk of accessing unsecure websites. Although security controls were implemented to treat the risk, the level of the residual risk still did not meet the risk acceptance criteria defined in the beginning of the risk assessment process. Since the cost of implementing additional controls was too high for the company, Productscape decided to accept the residual risk. Therefore, risk owners were assigned the responsibility of managing the residual risk.
Based on the scenario above, answer the following question: Which risk treatment option was used for the first risk scenario?
- A . Risk modification
- B . Risk avoidance
- C . Risk sharing
A
Explanation:
Risk modification involves implementing measures to reduce the likelihood or impact of a risk. In the first risk scenario, Productscape decided to use an automated "build and deploy" process to reduce the likelihood of an attacker exploiting a security misconfiguration vulnerability. This action aims to lower the risk to an acceptable level, which is characteristic of risk modification.
Option B (Risk avoidance) would involve eliminating the risk by avoiding the activity altogether, which is not what was done.
Option C (Risk sharing) involves transferring some or all of the risk to a third party, which is not applicable in this scenario.
Which of the following statements best defines information security risk?
- A . The potential that threats will exploit vulnerabilities of an information asset and cause harm to an organization
- B . Weakness of an asset or control that can be exploited by one or a group of threats
- C . Potential cause of an unwanted incident related to information security that can cause harm to an organization
A
Explanation:
Information security risk, as defined by ISO/IEC 27005, is "the potential that a threat will exploit a vulnerability of an asset or group of assets and thereby cause harm to the organization." This definition emphasizes the interplay between threats (e.g., cyber attackers, natural disasters), vulnerabilities (e.g., weaknesses in software, inadequate security controls), and the potential impact or harm that could result from this exploitation. Therefore, option A is the most comprehensive and accurate description of information security risk. In contrast, option B describes a vulnerability, and option C focuses on the cause of an incident rather than defining risk itself. Option A aligns directly with the risk definition in ISO/IEC 27005.
Which of the following statements best defines information security risk?
- A . The potential that threats will exploit vulnerabilities of an information asset and cause harm to an organization
- B . Weakness of an asset or control that can be exploited by one or a group of threats
- C . Potential cause of an unwanted incident related to information security that can cause harm to an organization
A
Explanation:
Information security risk, as defined by ISO/IEC 27005, is "the potential that a threat will exploit a vulnerability of an asset or group of assets and thereby cause harm to the organization." This definition emphasizes the interplay between threats (e.g., cyber attackers, natural disasters), vulnerabilities (e.g., weaknesses in software, inadequate security controls), and the potential impact or harm that could result from this exploitation. Therefore, option A is the most comprehensive and accurate description of information security risk. In contrast, option B describes a vulnerability, and option C focuses on the cause of an incident rather than defining risk itself. Option A aligns directly with the risk definition in ISO/IEC 27005.
Scenario 1
The risk assessment process was led by Henry, Bontton’s risk manager. The first step that Henry took was identifying the company’s assets. Afterward, Henry created various potential incident scenarios. One of the main concerns regarding the use of the application was the possibility of being targeted by cyber attackers, as a great number of organizations were experiencing cyberattacks during that time. After analyzing the identified risks, Henry evaluated them and concluded that new controls must be implemented if the company wants to use the application. Among others, he stated that training should be provided to personnel regarding the use of the application and that awareness sessions should be conducted regarding the importance of protecting customers’ personal data. Lastly, Henry communicated the risk assessment results to the top management. They decided that the application will be used only after treating the identified risks.
Based on scenario 1, Bontton used ISO/IEC 27005 to ensure effective implementation of all ISO/IEC 27001 requirements. Is this appropriate?
- A . Yes, ISO/IEC 27005 provides direct guidance on the implementation of the requirements given in ISO/IEC 27001
- B . Yes, ISO/IEC 27005 provides a number of methodologies that can be used under the risk management framework for implementing all requirements given in ISO/IEC 27001
- C . No, ISO/IEC 27005 does not contain direct guidance on the implementation of all requirements given in ISO/IEC 27001
C
Explanation:
ISO/IEC 27005 is an international standard specifically focused on providing guidelines for information security risk management within the context of an organization’s overall Information Security Management System (ISMS). It does not provide direct guidance on implementing the specific requirements of ISO/IEC 27001, which is a standard for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an ISMS. Instead, ISO/IEC 27005 provides a framework for managing risks that could affect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information assets. Therefore, while ISO/IEC 27005 supports the risk management process that is crucial for compliance with ISO/IEC 27001, it does not contain specific guidelines or methodologies for implementing all the requirements of ISO/IEC 2700 1. This makes option C the correct answer.
Reference: ISO/IEC 27005:2018, "Information Security Risk Management," which emphasizes risk management guidance rather than direct implementation of ISO/IEC 27001 requirements.
ISO/IEC 27001:2013, Clause 6. 1. 2, "Information Security Risk Assessment," where risk assessment and treatment options are outlined but not in a prescriptive manner found in ISO/IEC 27005.
Scenario 7: Adstry is a business growth agency that specializes in digital marketing strategies. Adstry helps organizations redefine the relationships with their customers through innovative solutions. Adstry is headquartered in San Francisco and recently opened two new offices in New York. The structure of the company is organized into teams which are led by project managers. The project manager has the full power in any decision related to projects. The team members, on the other hand, report the project’s progress to project managers.
Considering that data breaches and ad fraud are common threats in the current business environment, managing risks is essential for Adstry. When planning new projects, each project manager is responsible for ensuring that risks related to a particular project have been identified, assessed, and mitigated. This means that project managers have also the role of the risk manager in Adstry. Taking into account that Adstry heavily relies on technology to complete their projects, their risk assessment certainly involves identification of risks associated with the use of information technology. At the earliest stages of each project, the project manager communicates the risk assessment results to its team members.
Adstry uses a risk management software which helps the project team to detect new potential risks during each phase of the project. This way, team members are informed in a timely manner for the new potential risks and are able to respond to them accordingly. The project managers are responsible for ensuring that the information provided to the team members is communicated using an appropriate language so it can be understood by all of them.
In addition, the project manager may include external interested parties affected by the project in the risk communication. If the project manager decides to include interested parties, the risk communication is thoroughly prepared. The project manager firstly identifies the interested parties that should be informed and takes into account their concerns and possible conflicts that may arise due to risk communication. The risks are communicated to the identified interested parties while taking into consideration the confidentiality of Adstry’s information and determining the level of detail that should be included in the risk communication. The project managers use the same risk management software for risk communication with external interested parties since it provides a consistent view of risks. For each project, the project manager arranges regular meetings with relevant interested parties of the project, they discuss the detected risks, their prioritization, and determine appropriate treatment solutions. The information taken from the risk management software and the results of these meetings are documented and are used for decision-making processes. In addition, the company uses a computerized documented information management system for the acquisition, classification, storage, and archiving of its documents.
Based on scenario 7, project managers communicate risks to external interested parties, taking into account the information confidentiality .
Which principle of efficient communication strategy do project managers follow?
- A . Credibility
- B . Responsiveness
- C . Transparency
C
Explanation:
ISO/IEC 27005 emphasizes that effective risk management involves clear communication strategies, especially when it comes to ensuring that all stakeholders―both internal and external―are well-informed about potential risks and their impacts. The communication of risks is an essential part of the risk treatment process, as stated in the ISO/IEC 27005 standard.
In the given scenario, Adstry project managers are responsible for communicating risks to external interested parties, while carefully considering the confidentiality of the company’s information. They ensure that the risks are conveyed with the appropriate level of detail, protecting sensitive information but still providing the necessary insights to interested parties. This level of disclosure ensures that stakeholders are well aware of the risks without compromising the organization’s confidentiality policies.
The principle of transparency in communication refers to the clear, open, and honest sharing of information that stakeholders need in order to make informed decisions. By identifying interested parties, considering their concerns, and ensuring risk communication is well-prepared and detailed appropriately, Adstry’s project managers are practicing transparency. They provide the necessary risk information while balancing the protection of confidential data.
Option A, credibility, refers to building trust in communication, which is not the primary focus in this context. Option B, responsiveness, is about timely reactions to risks or concerns but doesn’t directly relate to how the information is communicated regarding risk confidentiality.
Thus, transparency is the correct answer because it aligns with how project managers ensure that the necessary risk details are communicated in a clear and honest way, while still protecting confidential information, as outlined by ISO/IEC 27005 risk communication principles.
According to CRAMM methodology, how is risk assessment initiated?
- A . By gathering information on the system and identifying assets within the scope
- B . By identifying the security risks
- C . By determining methods and procedures for managing risks
A
Explanation:
According to the CRAMM (CCTA Risk Analysis and Management Method) methodology, risk assessment begins by collecting detailed information on the system and identifying all assets that fall within the defined scope. This foundational step ensures that the assessment is comprehensive and includes all relevant assets, which could be potential targets for risk. This makes option A the correct answer.
Can organizations obtain certification against ISO 31000?
- A . Yes, organizations of any type or size can obtain certification against ISO 31000
- B . Yes, but only organizations that manufacture products can obtain an ISO 31000 certification
- C . [No, organizations cannot obtain certification against ISO 31000, as the standard provides only guidelines
C
Explanation:
ISO 31000 is an international standard that provides guidelines for risk management. It is a framework that helps organizations develop a risk management strategy to effectively manage risk, taking into consideration their specific contexts. However, ISO 31000 is not designed to be used as a certifiable standard; instead, it offers principles, a framework, and a process for managing risk. Unlike other ISO standards, such as ISO/IEC 27001 for information security management systems, which are certifiable, ISO 31000 does not have a certification process because it does not specify any requirements that an organization must comply with. Therefore, option C is the correct answer because ISO 31000 is intended to provide guidelines and is not certifiable.