A risk register is a document that records and tracks the information security risks facing an organization, such as their sources, impacts, likelihoods, responses, and statuses. A risk register provides the most comprehensive insight into ongoing threats facing an organization, as it covers both internal and external threats, as well as their current and potential effects on the organization’s assets, processes, and objectives. A risk register also helps to prioritize and monitor the risk mitigation actions and controls, and to communicate the risk information to relevant stakeholders. Therefore, option B is the most appropriate answer.
Option A is not the best answer because a business impact analysis (BIA) is a process that identifies and evaluates the critical business functions, assets, and dependencies of an organization, and assesses their potential impact in the event of a disruption or loss. A BIA does not provide a comprehensive insight into ongoing threats facing an organization, as it focuses more on the consequences of the threats, rather than their sources, likelihoods, or responses. A BIA is mainly used to support the business continuity and disaster recovery planning, rather than the information security risk management.
Option C is not the best answer because penetration testing is a method of simulating a malicious attack on an organization’s IT systems or networks, to evaluate their security posture and identify any vulnerabilities or weaknesses that could be exploited by real attackers. Penetration testing does not provide a comprehensive insight into ongoing threats facing an organization, as it only covers a specific scope, target, and scenario, rather than the whole range of threats, sources, and impacts. Penetration testing is mainly used to validate and improve the technical security controls, rather than the information security risk management.
Option D is not the best answer because vulnerability assessment is a process of scanning and analyzing an organization’s IT systems or networks, to detect and report any flaws or gaps that could pose a security risk. Vulnerability assessment does not provide a comprehensive insight into ongoing threats facing an organization, as it only covers the technical aspects of the threats, rather than their business, legal, or regulatory implications. Vulnerability assessment is mainly used to identify and remediate the security weaknesses, rather than the information security risk management. References = CISM Review Manual 15th Edition1, pages 258-259; CISM Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Database - 12 Month Subscription, QID 306.
A risk register provides the MOST comprehensive insight into ongoing threats facing an organization. This is because a risk register is a document that records and tracks the identified risks, their likelihood, impact, mitigation strategies, and status. A risk register helps an organization to monitor and manage the threats that could affect its objectives, assets, and operations. A risk register also helps an organization to prioritize its response efforts and allocate its resources accordingly.
