In the context of CRISC Domain 4: Technology and Security, Emerging Technologies refer to innovative advancements—such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), Blockchain, and Quantum Computing—that provide competitive business advantages but introduce significant, often undef…In the context of CRISC Domain 4: Technology and Security, Emerging Technologies refer to innovative advancements—such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), Blockchain, and Quantum Computing—that provide competitive business advantages but introduce significant, often undefined, risks. For a CRISC practitioner, the core challenge lies in the fact that these technologies lack the historical data required for traditional quantitative risk analysis, forcing reliance on qualitative scenarios and agile frameworks.
Domain 4 requires the risk practitioner to evaluate how these technologies alter the organization's attack surface. For instance, the widespread adoption of IoT devices exponentially increases endpoints, often introducing hardware with weak default security configurations that are difficult to patch. Similarly, AI and Machine Learning introduce risks regarding decision transparency (black box algorithms), data integrity (poisoning attacks), and regulatory compliance regarding privacy.
To manage these risks effectively, CRISC methodology emphasizes ‘Security by Design.’ Controls cannot be bolted on after implementation; they must be integrated into the early stages of the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC). This involves establishing flexible governance structures that can adapt to rapid technological shifts and regulatory gaps. Since many emerging technologies rely on third-party infrastructures (such as cloud providers), robust vendor risk management and service level agreements (SLAs) are critical controls.
Ultimately, the goal in Domain 4 is not to avoid emerging technologies, but to enable their safe adoption. This requires continuous monitoring and the implementation of compensating controls—such as network segmentation for IoT or immutable audit logs for blockchain transactions—to bring the residual risk within the organization's risk appetite.
Emerging Technologies Guide for CRISC
What are Emerging Technologies? In the context of the CRISC exam and IT Governance, Emerging Technologies refer to new or continuing technological developments that have the potential to disrupt industries, alter business operations, and introduce new risk landscapes. Common examples include Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Internet of Things (IoT), Blockchain, and Quantum Computing. From a risk practitioner's perspective, these are not just tools for innovation but sources of high uncertainty that require a specific risk management approach.
Why is it Important? Organizations cannot remain static; they must adopt new technologies to maintain a competitive advantage. However, integrating unproven technologies creates a paradox: to gain strategic value, the organization must accept new forms of risk. This concept is critical because: 1. Expanded Attack Surface: New tech often lacks historical security data, making vulnerabilities harder to predict. 2. Regulatory Compliance: Emerging tech (like AI) often outpaces regulation, creating legal and compliance risks. 3. Operational Reliance: If a business process relies on unstable new tech, resilience is compromised.
How it Works: The Risk Management Lifecycle Managing emerging technologies requires a proactive rather than reactive approach. It generally flows through these stages: 1. Horizon Scanning: The risk practitioner actively monitors the market to identify technologies relevant to business goals. 2. Business Impact Analysis (BIA): Before adoption, you must assess how the technology impacts current processes. Does the benefit outweigh the risk? 3. Proof of Concept (PoC) & Sandboxing: Emerging technologies should never be deployed directly into production. They work by first being tested in isolated environments (sandboxes) to observe behavior without endangering critical assets. 4. Pilot Implementation: Limited deployment to a specific user group to monitor real-world risks. 5. Full Integration: Once risks are brought within the risk appetite, the technology is integrated with standard controls.
How to Answer Questions on Emerging Technologies When facing exam questions regarding this topic, adopt the ISACA Mindset. Do not focus solely on the technical specifications of the tool. Instead, focus on the process of adoption.
Step-by-Step Approach: 1. Identify the Driver: Is the technology being adopted to solve a business problem? (The answer is almost always yes; business goals drive IT). 2. Assess Before Action: The correct answer usually involves conducting a risk assessment or a feasibility study before purchasing or deploying. 3. Consult Stakeholders: Risk practitioners do not say 'no' to new tech; they facilitate 'safe' adoption. Look for answers that involve communicating risks to data owners and senior management.
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Emerging Technologies Tip 1: Risk Assessment is King. If a question asks what to do when a manager wants to implement a cutting-edge AI tool, the answer is rarely 'Implement immediate security controls' or 'Deny the request.' The correct answer is usually 'Conduct a risk assessment to understand the impact.'
Tip 2: Watch for 'Vendor' Traps. Emerging technologies often rely on third-party vendors. If a question mentions a vendor solution, ensure the answer includes reviewing the vendor's security posture or Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
Tip 3: The Role of the Sandbox. If the technology is high-risk or unproven, look for answers that suggest a Proof of Concept (PoC) or testing in a non-production environment. This is the primary control for untested innovations.
Tip 4: Business Alignment. Ensure the technology aligns with the organization's strategic objectives. If the new tech introduces risks that exceed the organization's Risk Appetite, and those risks cannot be mitigated, the advise should be to not adopt the technology.