(ISC)2 Certified in Cybersecurity Practice Exam

In risk assessment, if you choose to accept the risk without implementing controls, this is known as what?

1. Transference

2. Avoidance

3. Mitigation

4. Acceptance

The correct answer is: Acceptance

In risk assessment, choosing to accept a risk without implementing any controls is known as acceptance. This approach indicates that the organization recognizes the risk but decides that the potential impact is tolerable or that the cost of mitigating the risk is greater than the risk itself. By formally accepting the risk, the organization documents its understanding and decision, which allows for informed management of potential consequences. Acceptance is often a strategic decision, particularly when the risk falls within the organization's risk appetite, or when the likelihood of the risk materializing is deemed low. This is in contrast to other risk response strategies like transference, avoidance, and mitigation, which involve shifting the risk to another party, eliminating the risk entirely, or reducing the likelihood and impact of the risk, respectively. Understanding acceptance and its implications helps organizations make conscious choices about how to handle risks effectively within their risk management framework.