Risk, Controls, Ethics, and Governance

Study ISC2 CC risk management, control types, ISC2 Code of Ethics, policies, procedures, standards, laws, and governance.

CC questions often look technical but are really asking whether you understand risk and governance. A strong answer reduces risk in a way the organization can explain, repeat, and audit.

Risk vocabulary

Term Exam meaning
Asset something valuable that needs protection
Threat potential cause of harm
Vulnerability weakness that could be exploited
Likelihood chance that the risk event happens
Impact business or security damage if it happens
Risk tolerance how much risk the organization is willing to accept
Treatment avoid, mitigate, transfer, or accept the risk

Control categories

Control type What it does Example
Administrative sets expectations or governance policy, standard, training
Technical enforces or detects through technology MFA, firewall, encryption
Physical protects facilities and equipment badges, locks, guards
Preventive reduces chance of an event least privilege, patching
Detective identifies an event alert, log review, camera
Corrective restores a safer state restore backup, reimage host
Compensating substitutes when preferred control is not feasible extra monitoring while patch is delayed

Governance layers

Layer Role
Policy management-approved rule or intent
Standard specific mandatory requirement
Procedure step-by-step work instruction
Guideline recommended practice
Regulation or law external requirement the organization must address

Ethics on CC

The ISC2 Code of Ethics angle is usually practical: protect society and the public good, act honorably, provide competent service, and support the profession. Reject answers that hide incidents, falsify evidence, misuse access, or ignore legal/organizational duties.

Exam traps

  • Risk mitigation is not the same as risk elimination.
  • Insurance may transfer financial impact, but it does not remove the need for controls.
  • A policy without procedure, training, monitoring, or ownership is weak.
  • A technically possible answer can still be wrong if it violates ethics or governance.
Revised on Monday, June 15, 2026