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
Scenario 5: Detika is a private cardiology clinic in Pennsylvania, the US. Detika has one of the most advanced healthcare systems for treating heart diseases. The clinic uses sophisticated apparatus that detects heart diseases in early stages. Since 2010, medical information of Detika’s patients is stored on the organization’s digital systems. Electronic health records (EHR), among others, include patients’ diagnosis, treatment plan, and laboratory results.
Storing and accessing patient and other medical data digitally was a huge and a risky step for Detik a. Considering the sensitivity of information stored in their systems, Detika conducts regular risk assessments to ensure that all information security risks are identified and managed. Last month, Detika conducted a risk assessment which was focused on the EHR system. During risk identification, the IT team found out that some employees were not updating the operating systems regularly. This could cause major problems such as a data breach or loss of software compatibility. In addition, the IT team tested the software and detected a flaw in one of the software modules used. Both issues were reported to the top management and they decided to implement appropriate controls for treating the identified risks. They decided to organize training sessions for all employees in order to make them aware of the importance of the system updates. In addition, the manager of the IT Department was appointed as the person responsible for ensuring that the software is regularly tested.
Another risk identified during the risk assessment was the risk of a potential ransomware attack. This risk was defined as low because all their data was backed up daily. The IT team decided to accept the actual risk of ransomware attacks and concluded that additional measures were not required. This decision was documented in the risk treatment plan and communicated to the risk owner. The risk owner approved the risk treatment plan and documented the risk assessment results.
Following that, Detika initiated the implementation of new controls. In addition, one of the employees of the IT Department was assigned the responsibility for monitoring the implementation process and ensure the effectiveness of the security controls. The IT team, on the other hand, was responsible for allocating the resources needed to effectively implement the new controls.
Based on scenario 5, the decision to accept the risk of a potential ransomware attack was approved by the risk owner. Is this acceptable?
- A . No, all interested parties should approve the risk treatment plan
- B . No, the risk treatment plan should be approved by the top management and implemented by risk owners
- C . Yes, the risk treatment plan should be approved by the risk owners
C
Explanation:
According to ISO/IEC 27005, the risk treatment plan should be approved by the risk owners, who are the individuals or entities responsible for managing specific risks. In the scenario, the risk owner approved the decision to accept the risk of a potential ransomware attack and documented it in the risk treatment plan. This is consistent with the guidelines, which state that risk owners are responsible for deciding on risk treatment and approving the associated plans. Thus, option C is the correct answer.
Reference: ISO/IEC 27005:2018, Clause 8.6, "Risk Treatment," which emphasizes that risk treatment plans should be approved by the risk owners.
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 scenario 6, Alex reviewed the controls of Annex A of ISO/IEC 27001 to determine the necessary controls for treating the risk described in the third risk scenario.
According to the guidelines of ISO/IEC 27005, is this acceptable?
- A . No, Annex A controls should be used as a control set only if the organization seeks compliance to ISO/IEC 27001
- B . No, organizations should define custom controls that accurately reflect the selected information security risk treatment options
- C . Yes. organizations should select all controls from a chosen control set that are necessary for treating the risks
C
Explanation:
According to ISO/IEC 27005, organizations can use any set of controls to treat identified risks as long as they are appropriate and necessary for managing those risks. Annex A of ISO/IEC 27001 provides a comprehensive set of controls that can be used to mitigate various information security risks. In this scenario, Alex reviewed the controls from Annex A of ISO/IEC 27001 and selected control A.8.23 (Web filtering) to treat the risk associated with phishing and accessing unsecured websites. This approach aligns with ISO/IEC 27005, which allows selecting relevant controls from any set to effectively manage risks. Therefore, option C is the correct answer.
Reference: ISO/IEC 27005:2018, Clause 8.6, "Risk Treatment," which allows for selecting controls from a set, such as Annex A of ISO/IEC 27001, to treat risks appropriately.
4 1. Scenario 6: Productscape is a market research company headquartered in Brussels, Belgium. It helps organizations understand the needs and expectations of their customers and identify new business opportunities. Productscape’s teams have extensive experience in marketing and business strategy and work with some of the best-known organizations in Europe. The industry in which Productscape operates requires effective risk management. Considering that Productscape has access to clients’ confidential information, it is responsible for ensuring its security. As such, the company conducts regular risk assessments. The top management appointed Alex as the risk manager, who is responsible for monitoring the risk management process and treating information security risks. The last risk assessment conducted was focused on information assets. The purpose of this risk assessment was to identify information security risks, understand their level, and take appropriate action to treat them in order to ensure the security of their systems. Alex established a team of three members to perform the risk assessment activities. Each team member was responsible for specific departments included in the risk assessment scope. The risk assessment provided valuable information to identify, understand, and mitigate the risks that Productscape faces.
Initially, the team identified potential risks based on the risk identification results. Prior to analyzing the identified risks, the risk acceptance criteria were established. The criteria for accepting the risks were determined based on Productscape’s objectives, operations, and technology. The team created various risk scenarios and determined the likelihood of occurrence as “low,” “medium,” or “high.” They decided that if the likelihood of occurrence for a risk scenario is determined as “low,” no further action would be taken. On the other hand, if the likelihood of occurrence for a risk scenario is determined as “high” or “medium,” additional controls will be implemented.
Some information security risk scenarios defined by Productscape’s team were as follows:
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.
According to scenario 1, what type of controls did Henry suggest?
- A . Technical
- B . Managerial
- C . Administrative
C
Explanation:
In the context of Scenario 1, the controls suggested by Henry, such as training personnel on the use of the application and conducting awareness sessions on protecting customers’ personal data, fall under the category of "Administrative" controls. Administrative controls are policies, procedures, guidelines, and training programs designed to manage the human factors of information security.
These controls are aimed at reducing the risks associated with human behavior, such as lack of awareness or improper handling of sensitive data, and are distinct from "Technical" controls (like firewalls or encryption) and "Managerial" controls (which include risk management strategies and governance frameworks).
Reference: ISO/IEC 27005:2018, Annex A, "Controls and Safeguards," which mentions the importance of administrative controls, such as awareness training and the development of policies, to mitigate identified risks.
ISO/IEC 27001:2013, Annex A, Control A.7.2.2, "Information security awareness, education, and training," which directly relates to administrative controls for personnel security.
Scenario 3: Printary is an American company that offers digital printing services. Creating cost-effective and creative products, the company has been part of the printing industry for more than 30 years. Three years ago, the company started to operate online, providing greater flexibility for its clients. Through the website, clients could find information about all services offered by Printary and order personalized products. However, operating online increased the risk of cyber threats, consequently, impacting the business functions of the company. Thus, along with the decision of creating an online business, the company focused on managing information security risks. Their risk management program was established based on ISO/IEC 27005 guidelines and industry best practices.
Last year, the company considered the integration of an online payment system on its website in order to provide more flexibility and transparency to customers. Printary analyzed various available solutions and selected Pay0, a payment processing solution that allows any company to easily collect payments on their website. Before making the decision, Printary conducted a risk assessment to identify and analyze information security risks associated with the software. The risk assessment process involved three phases: identification, analysis, and evaluation. During risk identification, the company inspected assets, threats, and vulnerabilities. In addition, to identify the information security risks, Printary used a list of the identified events that could negatively affect the achievement of information security objectives. The risk identification phase highlighted two main threats associated with the online payment system: error in use and data corruption After conducting a gap analysis, the company concluded that the existing security controls were sufficient to mitigate the threat of data corruption. However, the user interface of the payment solution was complicated, which could increase the risk associated with user errors, and, as a result, impact data integrity and confidentiality.
Subsequently, the risk identification results were analyzed. The company conducted risk analysis in order to understand the nature of the identified risks. They decided to use a quantitative risk analysis methodology because it would provide more detailed information. The selected risk analysis methodology was consistent with the risk evaluation criteria. Firstly, they used a list of potential incident scenarios to assess their potential impact. In addition, the likelihood of incident scenarios was defined and assessed. Finally, the level of risk was defined as low.
In the end, the level of risk was compared to the risk evaluation and acceptance criteria and was prioritized accordingly.
Based on scenario 3, what does the complicated user interface of the software which could lead to error present?
- A . A vulnerability
- B . A threat
- C . An asset
A
Explanation:
ISO/IEC 27005 defines a vulnerability as a weakness in an asset or control that could potentially be exploited by one or more threats. In the scenario, the complicated user interface of the payment software represents a weakness that could lead to user errors, potentially impacting data integrity and confidentiality. This aligns with the definition of a vulnerability, as it is a weakness that could be exploited by threats (e.g., errors in use). Therefore, the complicated user interface is correctly identified as a vulnerability, making option A the correct answer.
Reference: ISO/IEC 27005:2018, Clause 8.3, "Risk Identification," where vulnerabilities are identified as weaknesses that can be exploited by threats.
Scenario 4: In 2017, seeing that millions of people turned to online shopping, Ed and James Cordon founded the online marketplace for footwear called Poshoe. In the past, purchasing pre-owned designer shoes online was not a pleasant experience because of unattractive pictures and an inability to ascertain the products’ authenticity. However, after Poshoe’s establishment, each product was well advertised and certified as authentic before being offered to clients. This increased the customers’ confidence and trust in Poshoe’s products and services. Poshoe has approximately four million users and its mission is to dominate the second-hand sneaker market and become a multi-billion dollar company.
Due to the significant increase of daily online buyers, Poshoe’s top management decided to adopt a big data analytics tool that could help the company effectively handle, store, and analyze data. Before initiating the implementation process, they decided to conduct a risk assessment. Initially, the company identified its assets, threats, and vulnerabilities associated with its information systems. In terms of assets, the company identified the information that was vital to the achievement of the organization’s mission and objectives. During this phase, the company also detected a rootkit in their software, through which an attacker could remotely access Poshoe’s systems and acquire sensitive data.
The company discovered that the rootkit had been installed by an attacker who had gained administrator access. As a result, the attacker was able to obtain the customers’ personal data after they purchased a product from Poshoe. Luckily, the company was able to execute some scans from the target device and gain greater visibility into their software’s settings in order to identify the vulnerability of the system.
The company initially used the qualitative risk analysis technique to assess the consequences and the likelihood and to determine the level of risk. The company defined the likelihood of risk as “a few times in two years with the probability of 1 to 3 times per year.” Later, it was decided that they would use a quantitative risk analysis methodology since it would provide additional information on this major risk. Lastly, the top management decided to treat the risk immediately as it could expose the company to other issues. In addition, it was communicated to their employees that they should update, secure, and back up Poshoe’s software in order to protect customers’ personal information and prevent unauthorized access from attackers.
According to scenario 4, which type of assets was identified during the risk identification process?
- A . Tangible assets
- B . Primary assets
- C . Supporting assets
B
Explanation:
During the risk identification process, Poshoe identified the information that was vital to the achievement of the organization’s mission and objectives. Such information is considered a primary asset because it directly supports the organization’s core business objectives. Primary assets are those that are essential to the organization’s functioning and achieving its strategic goals. Option A (Tangible assets) refers to physical assets like hardware or facilities, which is not relevant here. Option C (Supporting assets) refers to assets that support primary assets, like IT infrastructure or software, which also does not fit the context.
Scenario 4: In 2017, seeing that millions of people turned to online shopping, Ed and James Cordon founded the online marketplace for footwear called Poshoe. In the past, purchasing pre-owned designer shoes online was not a pleasant experience because of unattractive pictures and an inability to ascertain the products’ authenticity. However, after Poshoe’s establishment, each product was well advertised and certified as authentic before being offered to clients. This increased the customers’ confidence and trust in Poshoe’s products and services. Poshoe has approximately four million users and its mission is to dominate the second-hand sneaker market and become a multi-billion dollar company.
Due to the significant increase of daily online buyers, Poshoe’s top management decided to adopt a big data analytics tool that could help the company effectively handle, store, and analyze data. Before initiating the implementation process, they decided to conduct a risk assessment. Initially, the company identified its assets, threats, and vulnerabilities associated with its information systems. In terms of assets, the company identified the information that was vital to the achievement of the organization’s mission and objectives. During this phase, the company also detected a rootkit in their software, through which an attacker could remotely access Poshoe’s systems and acquire sensitive data.
The company discovered that the rootkit had been installed by an attacker who had gained administrator access. As a result, the attacker was able to obtain the customers’ personal data after they purchased a product from Poshoe. Luckily, the company was able to execute some scans from the target device and gain greater visibility into their software’s settings in order to identify the vulnerability of the system.
The company initially used the qualitative risk analysis technique to assess the consequences and the likelihood and to determine the level of risk. The company defined the likelihood of risk as “a few times in two years with the probability of 1 to 3 times per year.” Later, it was decided that they would use a quantitative risk analysis methodology since it would provide additional information on this major risk. Lastly, the top management decided to treat the risk immediately as it could expose the company to other issues. In addition, it was communicated to their employees that they should update, secure, and back up Poshoe’s software in order to protect customers’ personal information and prevent unauthorized access from attackers.
According to scenario 4, which type of assets was identified during the risk identification process?
- A . Tangible assets
- B . Primary assets
- C . Supporting assets
B
Explanation:
During the risk identification process, Poshoe identified the information that was vital to the achievement of the organization’s mission and objectives. Such information is considered a primary asset because it directly supports the organization’s core business objectives. Primary assets are those that are essential to the organization’s functioning and achieving its strategic goals. Option A (Tangible assets) refers to physical assets like hardware or facilities, which is not relevant here. Option C (Supporting assets) refers to assets that support primary assets, like IT infrastructure or software, which also does not fit the context.
Scenario 4: In 2017, seeing that millions of people turned to online shopping, Ed and James Cordon founded the online marketplace for footwear called Poshoe. In the past, purchasing pre-owned designer shoes online was not a pleasant experience because of unattractive pictures and an inability to ascertain the products’ authenticity. However, after Poshoe’s establishment, each product was well advertised and certified as authentic before being offered to clients. This increased the customers’ confidence and trust in Poshoe’s products and services. Poshoe has approximately four million users and its mission is to dominate the second-hand sneaker market and become a multi-billion dollar company.
Due to the significant increase of daily online buyers, Poshoe’s top management decided to adopt a big data analytics tool that could help the company effectively handle, store, and analyze data. Before initiating the implementation process, they decided to conduct a risk assessment. Initially, the company identified its assets, threats, and vulnerabilities associated with its information systems. In terms of assets, the company identified the information that was vital to the achievement of the organization’s mission and objectives. During this phase, the company also detected a rootkit in their software, through which an attacker could remotely access Poshoe’s systems and acquire sensitive data.
The company discovered that the rootkit had been installed by an attacker who had gained administrator access. As a result, the attacker was able to obtain the customers’ personal data after they purchased a product from Poshoe. Luckily, the company was able to execute some scans from the target device and gain greater visibility into their software’s settings in order to identify the vulnerability of the system.
The company initially used the qualitative risk analysis technique to assess the consequences and the likelihood and to determine the level of risk. The company defined the likelihood of risk as “a few times in two years with the probability of 1 to 3 times per year.” Later, it was decided that they would use a quantitative risk analysis methodology since it would provide additional information on this major risk. Lastly, the top management decided to treat the risk immediately as it could expose the company to other issues. In addition, it was communicated to their employees that they should update, secure, and back up Poshoe’s software in order to protect customers’ personal information and prevent unauthorized access from attackers.
According to scenario 4, which type of assets was identified during the risk identification process?
- A . Tangible assets
- B . Primary assets
- C . Supporting assets
B
Explanation:
During the risk identification process, Poshoe identified the information that was vital to the achievement of the organization’s mission and objectives. Such information is considered a primary asset because it directly supports the organization’s core business objectives. Primary assets are those that are essential to the organization’s functioning and achieving its strategic goals. Option A (Tangible assets) refers to physical assets like hardware or facilities, which is not relevant here. Option C (Supporting assets) refers to assets that support primary assets, like IT infrastructure or software, which also does not fit the context.
Scenario 2: Travivve is a travel agency that operates in more than 100 countries. Headquartered in San Francisco, the US, the agency is known for its personalized vacation packages and travel services. Travivve aims to deliver reliable services that meet its clients’ needs. Considering the impact of information security in its reputation, Travivve decided to implement an information security management system (ISMS) based on ISO/IEC 2700 1. In addition, they decided to establish and implement an information security risk management program. Based on the priority of specific departments in Travivve, the top management decided to initially apply the risk management process only in the Sales Management Department. The process would be applicable for other departments only when introducing new technology.
Travivve’s top management wanted to make sure that the risk management program is established based on the industry best practices. Therefore, they created a team of three members that would be responsible for establishing and implementing it. One of the team members was Travivve’s risk manager who was responsible for supervising the team and planning all risk management activities. In addition, the risk manager was responsible for monitoring the program and reporting the monitoring results to the top management.
Initially, the team decided to analyze the internal and external context of Travivve. As part of the process of understanding the organization and its context, the team identified key processes and activities. Then, the team identified the interested parties and their basic requirements and determined the status of compliance with these requirements. In addition, the team identified all the reference documents that applied to the defined scope of the risk management process, which mainly included the Annex A of ISO/IEC 27001 and the internal security rules established by Travivve. Lastly, the team analyzed both reference documents and justified a few noncompliances with those requirements.
The risk manager selected the information security risk management method which was aligned with other approaches used by the company to manage other risks. The team also communicated the risk management process to all interested parties through previously established communication mechanisms. In addition, they made sure to inform all interested parties about their roles and responsibilities regarding risk management. Travivve also decided to involve interested parties in its risk management activities since, according to the top management, this process required their active participation.
Lastly, Travivve’s risk management team decided to conduct the initial information security risk assessment process. As such, the team established the criteria for performing the information security risk assessment which included the consequence criteria and likelihood criteria.
Did the risk management team establish all the criteria required to perform the information security risk assessment? Refer to scenario 2.
- A . No, the risk management team should also establish the criteria for determining the level of risk
- B . No, the risk management team should also establish the criteria for treating the identified risks
- C . Yes. the risk management team established all the criteria that are necessary to perform an information security risk assessment
A
Explanation:
While Travivve’s risk management team established criteria for consequence and likelihood, ISO/IEC 27005 requires that additional criteria should be defined to complete a risk assessment. Specifically, the team should also establish criteria for determining the level of risk, which involves combining the likelihood and consequence to evaluate risk magnitude. This step is crucial for prioritizing risks and determining which risks require treatment. The absence of criteria for determining the level of risk means that the team did not fully meet the requirements of ISO/IEC 27005 for performing an information security risk assessment. Therefore, the correct answer is A.
Reference: ISO/IEC 27005:2018, Clause 8.4, "Risk Assessment," which outlines the need to establish criteria for risk acceptance, which includes determining the level of risk.
Scenario 2: Travivve is a travel agency that operates in more than 100 countries. Headquartered in San Francisco, the US, the agency is known for its personalized vacation packages and travel services. Travivve aims to deliver reliable services that meet its clients’ needs. Considering the impact of information security in its reputation, Travivve decided to implement an information security management system (ISMS) based on ISO/IEC 2700 1. In addition, they decided to establish and implement an information security risk management program. Based on the priority of specific departments in Travivve, the top management decided to initially apply the risk management process only in the Sales Management Department. The process would be applicable for other departments only when introducing new technology.
Travivve’s top management wanted to make sure that the risk management program is established based on the industry best practices. Therefore, they created a team of three members that would be responsible for establishing and implementing it. One of the team members was Travivve’s risk manager who was responsible for supervising the team and planning all risk management activities. In addition, the risk manager was responsible for monitoring the program and reporting the monitoring results to the top management.
Initially, the team decided to analyze the internal and external context of Travivve. As part of the process of understanding the organization and its context, the team identified key processes and activities. Then, the team identified the interested parties and their basic requirements and determined the status of compliance with these requirements. In addition, the team identified all the reference documents that applied to the defined scope of the risk management process, which mainly included the Annex A of ISO/IEC 27001 and the internal security rules established by Travivve. Lastly, the team analyzed both reference documents and justified a few noncompliances with those requirements.
The risk manager selected the information security risk management method which was aligned with other approaches used by the company to manage other risks. The team also communicated the risk management process to all interested parties through previously established communication mechanisms. In addition, they made sure to inform all interested parties about their roles and responsibilities regarding risk management. Travivve also decided to involve interested parties in its risk management activities since, according to the top management, this process required their active participation.
Lastly, Travivve’s risk management team decided to conduct the initial information security risk assessment process. As such, the team established the criteria for performing the information security risk assessment which included the consequence criteria and likelihood criteria.
Did the risk management team establish all the criteria required to perform the information security risk assessment? Refer to scenario 2.
- A . No, the risk management team should also establish the criteria for determining the level of risk
- B . No, the risk management team should also establish the criteria for treating the identified risks
- C . Yes. the risk management team established all the criteria that are necessary to perform an information security risk assessment
A
Explanation:
While Travivve’s risk management team established criteria for consequence and likelihood, ISO/IEC 27005 requires that additional criteria should be defined to complete a risk assessment. Specifically, the team should also establish criteria for determining the level of risk, which involves combining the likelihood and consequence to evaluate risk magnitude. This step is crucial for prioritizing risks and determining which risks require treatment. The absence of criteria for determining the level of risk means that the team did not fully meet the requirements of ISO/IEC 27005 for performing an information security risk assessment. Therefore, the correct answer is A.
Reference: ISO/IEC 27005:2018, Clause 8.4, "Risk Assessment," which outlines the need to establish criteria for risk acceptance, which includes determining the level of risk.
Which of the following risk assessment methods provides an information security risk assessment methodology and involves three phases build asset-based threat profiles, identify infrastructure vulnerabilities, and develop security strategy and plans?
- A . OCTAVE-S
- B . MEHARI
- C . TRA
A
Explanation:
OCTAVE-S (Operationally Critical Threat, Asset, and Vulnerability Evaluation for Small Organizations) is a risk assessment methodology tailored for small organizations. It provides a structured approach for identifying and managing information security risks.
The OCTAVE-S method involves three main phases:
Building asset-based threat profiles, where critical assets and their associated threats are identified. Identifying infrastructure vulnerabilities by assessing the organization’s technological infrastructure for weaknesses that could be exploited by threats.
Developing security strategy and plans to address the identified risks and improve the overall security posture.
The OCTAVE-S method aligns with the description provided in the question, making it the correct answer. MEHARI and TRA are other risk assessment methods, but they do not specifically follow the three phases outlined above.
1 1. Does information security reduce the impact of risks?