Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) is a certification program offered by ISACA (Information Systems Audit and Control Association) for IT professionals who manage, monitor, and assess IT risk and implement information systems controls. The certification validates an individual’s knowledge and skills in risk management, control monitoring, and IS control design and implementation.
To obtain the CRISC certification, candidates must pass a four-hour exam covering four domains:
- IT Risk Identification
- IT Risk Assessment
- Risk Response and Mitigation
- Risk and Control Monitoring and Reporting
In addition to passing the exam, candidates must also meet experience requirements. The requirements include a minimum of three years of experience in at least two of the four domains covered by the CRISC exam and at least one year of experience in a management role related to IT risk management.
The CRISC certification is globally recognized and highly regarded in the field of information systems and IT risk management. Holding a CRISC certification demonstrates an individual’s knowledge, expertise, and commitment to the profession, making them a valuable asset to any organization.
Certified Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) Exam Glossary
- Risk Management: The process of identifying, assessing, and prioritizing risks and developing strategies to manage or mitigate them.
- Information Systems (IS): The combination of machines, programs, information, individuals, and steps used to make, keep, work on, and share data.
- IT Risk: The potential for loss or damage resulting from the use of IT systems and infrastructure.
- Risk Assessment: The act of figuring out how likely and how bad a risk might be, and then deciding what to do about it.
- Risk Response: The actions taken to mitigate, transfer, or accept risks.
- Control: A measure taken to manage or reduce risk, such as a policy, procedure, or technology.
- Risk Monitoring: The ongoing process of tracking, assessing, and reporting on risks and the effectiveness of risk management strategies.
- Compliance: The adherence to laws, regulations, policies, and standards related to IT and information security.
- Governance: The system of policies, procedures, and controls used to manage and oversee IT operations and ensure they align with organizational goals and objectives.
- Business Continuity Planning (BCP): Making a plan to guarantee that important business activities can carry on even if something goes wrong or a disaster happens.
- Disaster Recovery (DR): The process of restoring IT systems and infrastructure after a disruption or disaster.
- Vulnerability: A weakness or flaw in a system or process that can be exploited by an attacker.
- Threat: A potential event or circumstance that can have a negative impact on IT systems or infrastructure.
- Asset: Any tangible or intangible item that has value to an organization, such as data, hardware, software, or intellectual property.
- Third-Party Risk: The risk associated with using vendors, suppliers, or other third parties to provide IT services or support.
Certified Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) Exam Guide
- ISACA (Information Systems Audit and Control Association): The official website of the organization that offers the CRISC certification. It provides information on the certification, exam registration, study materials, and continuing education requirements. https://www.isaca.org/credentialing/crisc
- CRISC Exam Preparation: This page on the ISACA website provides information on exam preparation, including study materials, study groups, and review courses. https://www.isaca.org/credentialing/crisc/crisc-exam-preparation
- CRISC Exam Content Outline: This document outlines the content areas covered on the CRISC exam and the percentage of questions dedicated to each area. https://www.isaca.org/-/media/info/crisc-exam-content-outline-2022.ashx
- CRISC Review Manual: This manual is a comprehensive guide to the CRISC certification exam and provides in-depth coverage of the four domains covered by the exam. It is available for purchase on the ISACA website. https://www.isaca.org/bookstore/bookstore-wiley/crisc-review-manual-2021
- CRISC Exam Study Community: This forum on the ISACA website allows CRISC candidates to connect with each other, share study tips, and ask and answer questions related to the exam. https://engage.isaca.org/community/criscexamstudygroup/home
By utilizing these resources and studying diligently, you can increase your chances of passing the CRISC exam and earning your certification in IT risk management.
Certified Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) Exam Tips and Tricks
- Understand the Exam Content: The CRISC exam covers four domains: IT Risk Identification, IT Risk Assessment, Risk Response and Mitigation, and Risk and Control Monitoring and Reporting. Make sure you understand the content of each domain and how they relate to IT risk management.
- Utilize Study Materials: You can find various resources to study for the CRISC exam, such as review books, practice tests, and study groups. Use these materials to get ready for the exam.
- Focus on Weak Areas: Identify the areas where you need improvement and focus your studying on those areas. Use practice exams and quizzes to help identify areas where you need more practice.
- Understand Risk Management Frameworks: The CRISC exam covers various risk management frameworks, including COBIT, COSO, and ISO 31000. Make sure you understand these frameworks and how they apply to IT risk management.
- Understand IT Governance: Governance is a critical component of IT risk management, and the CRISC exam covers governance frameworks and principles. Make sure you understand IT governance and its role in managing IT risk.
- Practice Time Management: The CRISC exam lasts for four hours and has 150 multiple-choice questions. Plan how you’ll manage your time during the exam to make sure you have enough time to answer all the questions.
- Read Questions Carefully: Read each question carefully and make sure you understand what is being asked before answering. Don’t rush through the questions and take the time to understand what is being asked.
- Eliminate Incorrect Answers: When you’re not sure about an answer to a question, try to get rid of the answers you know are wrong first. This can help you have a better chance of picking the right answer.
- Stay Calm and Focused: Don’t let nerves or anxiety get in the way of your performance on the exam. Stay calm, focused, and confident in your abilities.
CRISC Exam Outline
The CRISC Exam Syllabus covers descriptive details about the exam domains. These domains cover various subtopics to provide you better clarity about the exam. The CRISC Exam Topics are:
Domain 1—Governance – (26%)
A—ORGANIZATIONAL GOVERNANCE
- Organizational Strategy, Goals, and Objectives
- Organizational Structure, Roles and Responsibilities
- Organizational Culture
- Policies and Standards
- Business Processes
- Organizational Assets
B—RISK GOVERNANCE
- Enterprise Risk Management and Risk Management Framework
- Three Lines of Defense
- Risk Profile
- Risk Appetite and Risk Tolerance
- Legal, Regulatory and Contractual Requirements
- Professional Ethics of Risk Management
Domain 2—IT Risk Assessment – (20%)
A—IT RISK IDENTIFICATION
- Risk Events (e.g., contributing conditions, loss result)
- Threat Modelling and Threat Landscape
- Vulnerability and Control Deficiency Analysis (e.g., root cause analysis)
- Risk Scenario Development
B—IT RISK ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION
- Risk Assessment Concepts, Standards and Frameworks
- Risk Register
- Risk Analysis Methodologies
- Business Impact Analysis
- Inherent and Residual Risk
Domain 3—Risk Response Mitigation – (32%)
A—RISK RESPONSE
- Risk Treatment / Risk Response Options
- Risk and Control Ownership
- Third-Party Risk Management
- Issue, Finding and Exception Management
- Management of Emerging Risk
B—CONTROL DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION
- Control Types, Standards and Frameworks
- Control Design, Selection and Analysis
- Control Implementation
- Control Testing and Effectiveness Evaluation
C—RISK MONITORING AND REPORTING
- Risk Treatment Plans
- Data Collection, Aggregation, Analysis and Validation
- Risk and Control Monitoring Techniques
- Risk and Control Reporting Techniques (heatmap, scorecards, dashboards)
- Key Performance Indicators
- Key Risk Indicators (KRIs)
- Key Control Indicators (KCIs)
Domain 4—Information technology and security – (22%)
A—INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PRINCIPLES
- Enterprise Architecture
- IT Operations Management (e.g., change management, IT assets, problems, incidents)
- Project Management
- Disaster Recovery Management (DRM)
- Data Lifecycle Management
- System Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
- Emerging Technologies
B—INFORMATION SECURITY PRINCIPLES
- Information Security Concepts, Frameworks and Standards
- Information Security Awareness Training
- Business Continuity Management
- Data Privacy and Data Protection Principles
Supporting tasks
- Collect and review existing information regarding the organization’s business and IT environments.
- Identify potential or realized impacts of IT risk to the organization’s business objectives and operations.
- Identify threats and vulnerabilities to the organization’s people, processes and technology.
- Evaluate threats, vulnerabilities and risk to identify IT risk scenarios.
- Establish accountability by assigning and validating appropriate levels of risk and control ownership.
- Establish and maintain the IT risk register and incorporate it into the enterprise-wide risk profile.
- Facilitate the identification of risk appetite and risk tolerance by key stakeholders.
- Promote a risk-aware culture by contributing to the development and implementation of security awareness training.
- Conduct a risk assessment by analyzing IT risk scenarios and determining their likelihood and impact.
- Identify the current state of existing controls and evaluate their effectiveness for IT risk mitigation.
- Review the results of risk analysis and control analysis to assess any gaps between current and desired states of the IT risk environment.
- Facilitate the selection of recommended risk responses by key stakeholders.
- Collaborate with risk owners on the development of risk treatment plans.
- Collaborate with control owners on the selection, design, implementation and maintenance of controls.
- Validate that risk responses have been executed according to risk treatment plans.
- Define and establish key risk indicators (KRIs).
- Monitor and analyze key risk indicators (KRIs).
- Collaborate with control owners on the identification of key performance indicators (KPIs) and key control indicators (KCIs).
- Monitor and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) and key control indicators (KCIs).
- Review the results of control assessments to determine the effectiveness and maturity of the control environment.
- Report relevant risk and control information to applicable stakeholders to facilitate risk-based decision-making.
- Evaluate alignment of business practices with risk management and information security frameworks and standards.
How to register for CRISC exam?
For the CRISC exam you need to register online direct with ISACA and pay the fee in advance. Afterward, you’ll get an email with clear directions on how to pick the date and location for your exam. You can take this computer-based test at any time during the year. CRISC holders establish their position in the IT field. But preparation for this exam is a huge task. Thus we provide you a comprehensive preparatory guide for you to earn this credential
Preparatory guide for Certified Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) Exam
This CRISC Exam Preparation guide will smoothen your journey towards achieving the CRISC credential. Here we provide with all the necessary details and resources for the exam
1. Refer the Official Guide
The CRISC Exam Guide is a blueprint for your preparations. It provides lots of practical knowledge and key concepts about the exam. You should definitely refer the exam guide at ISACA Exam Information Guide.
2. Strategize your time
Strategizing a time schedule for your preparations is the next important step. Try beginning early for the preparations. As this exam covers a huge syllabus time is of essentiality. Start by strengthening your weaker areas and dedicate enough amount of time for your preparations daily to maintain consistency.
3. Go through the Study Resources
There are plenty of study resources available for the CRISC exam. We would recommend you to refer the one that best suits you.
Also you should check the ISACA’s official review manual that helps you improve your preparations by providing all the essential details about the exam.
4. Take up a Training Course
Various modes of training- online, offline, and instructor led training or video streamed training are available for the CRISC exam. Choose the CRISC Exam Preparation Training Course that helps you focus on your preparations and provide deep understanding of the concepts.
5. Practice tests your way ahead
Practice makes a man perfect and hence mock tests are a must for all preparations. These CRISC Exam Practice Questions help you in identifying both your strengths and weaknesses based on the domains of the course. This in turn helps you focus your efforts accordingly.
Our experts at Testprep Training have designed special practice tests for the exam to provide you with the genuine exam experience. You’ll receive a special group of questions, all mixed up and with varying difficulty levels. These questions will help you see where you’re strong and where you need improvement. Solving them will boost your knowledge and help you do better on the exam. You can access the practise tests form Start Practicing with CRISC Mock Exams Now!.
6. Join the CRISC Community
The CRISC exam study group is a great place to be involved. It includes interactions with varied experts and also helps you connect with the other candidates. These communities share study methods, information and resources for the exam. Combining these different views of the members of the community with your own will be of immense value.
So, follow our preparatory guide and tis exam will become a piece of cake for you. Earning this credential will definitely bring great progress to your career.
7. On the Exam Day
The exam day can be really stressful and leave you anxious. But this may affect your exam. Thus, your primary focus should be on not exhausting yourself and being at your best during the exam.
Here are some last minute tips for the exam day-
- Stay Calm and Relaxed
- To have complete attention and focus you must stay calm and relaxed. Avoid all last minute preparations and have a nice sleep before the exam day. Have a balanced breakfast and stay hydrated during the exam.
- Keep Track of the Time
- This exam includes 150 questions to be answered in a span of 4 hours. Therefore keep a check on the time while attempting to avoid last minute hurry. Also make sure that you have enough time at the end to review your answers.
- Read and Understand the Question
- Questions of the exam can be confusing and seem difficult. But remember you have studied all and prepared well. So read each question twice and try understanding its meaning. Use the process of elimination to select the best answer out of the alternatives as it is a MCQ exam.
Expert Tips
The CRISC certification brings a competitive edge to your personality. This certification is a golden standard in the field of risk management and information systems control. It will enhance your career options and validates your skills. Follow our preparatory guide for a successful attempt.
The CRISC certification is your chance to enhance your employment. Start preparing now through our Practice tests!
