Implementing automated log monitoring is the best control to detect an advanced persistent threat (APT), which is a stealthy and continuous attack on a target network or system. Automated log monitoring can help to identify anomalous or suspicious activities, such as unusual network traffic, unauthorized access attempts, or data exfiltration, that may indicate the presence of an APT. Utilizing antivirus systems and firewalls, conducting regular penetration tests, and monitoring social media activities are controls that help to prevent or mitigate APTs, but not to detect them. References = Most Asked CRISC Exam Questions and Answers - The Knowledge Academy, question 200.

Understanding the Question:
* The question focuses on the primary reason for communicating risk assessment results to data owners.
Analyzing the Options:
* A. Design of appropriate controls: This is important but not the primary reason for communication.
* B. Industry benchmarking of controls: This is secondary to the main goal of communicating risk.
* C. Prioritization of response efforts: This enables data owners to allocate resources and address the most critical risks first.
* D. Classification of information assets: This is typically part of the initial risk assessment process, not the main communication goal.
Detailed Explanation:
* Communication of Risk Assessment Results: Ensuring data owners understand the results of risk assessments allows them to make informed decisions on where to focus their efforts.
* Prioritization: Data owners can prioritize their actions based on the assessed risk levels, ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently to mitigate the most significant risks.
* References:
* CRISC Review Manual, Chapter 3: Risk Response and Reporting, details the importance of communicating risk assessment results for effective risk management and response prioritization.

The greatest concern for the risk practitioner when the potential vendor has offered to perform quarterly self- audits of its controls instead of having annual independent audits is that the controls may not be properly tested. Self-audits are audits that are performed by the vendor itself, without the involvement of an external or independent party. Self-audits may not be reliable, objective, or consistent, as the vendor may have biases, conflicts of interest, or lack of expertise in auditing its own controls. Self-audits may also not follow the same standards, criteria, or methodologies as independent audits, and may not provide sufficient assurance or evidence of the effectiveness of the controls. The other options are not as concerning as the possibility of improper testing of the controls, as they are related to the outcomes, expectations, or approaches of the controls, not the quality or validity of the controls. References = Risk and Information Systems Control Study Manual, Chapter 2: IT Risk Assessment, Section 2.3: IT Control Assessment, page 6

According to the CRISC Review Manual, recovery time objectives (RTOs) are the maximum acceptable time that an IT system can be inoperable without causing significant damage to the business operations and objectives. RTOs are determined by the business impact analysis (BIA) and are used to define the recovery strategies and priorities. Therefore, if the RTOs do not meet the business requirements, it would be the most significant deficiency in the BCP, as it would imply that the recovery plan is not aligned with the business needs and expectations. The other options are not the most significant deficiencies, as they do not directly affect the recovery time and the business continuity. BCP testing is not necessarily done in conjunction with the DRP, as they have different scopes and objectives. BCP testing can use different methods, such as walk- through, simulation, or full interruption, depending on the purpose and scope of the test. Each business location can have separate BCPs, as long as they are consistent with the enterprise-wide BCP and the business requirements. References = CRISC Review Manual, 7th Edition, Chapter 5, Section 5.2.2, page 240.

* Data processing is the activity of collecting, organizing, transforming, and analyzing data to produce useful information for decision making or other purposes12.
* The role of the internal IT team in this situation is data processors, which are the people or entities that process data on behalf of the data controllers, who are the people or entities that determine the purposes and means of the data processing34.
* Data processors are the role of the internal IT team because they are responsible for managing information through the applications that are used by the organization, and they act under the instructions and authority of the organization, which is the data controller34.
* Data processors are also the role of the internal IT team because they have to comply with the data protection laws and regulations that apply to the data processing, and they have to ensure the security and confidentiality of the data34.
* The other options are not the role of the internal IT team, but rather possible roles or terms that are related to data processing. For example:
* Data custodians are the people or entities that have physical or logical control over the data, and they are responsible for implementing and maintaining the technical and administrative safeguards to protect the data56. However, this role is not the role of the internal IT team because it is a subset or function of the data processor role, and it does not reflect the full scope of the data processing activities that the internal IT team performs56.
* Data owners are the people or entities that have legal rights or authority over the data, and they are responsible for defining and enforcing the policies and rules for the data access, use, and quality . However, this role is not the role of the internal IT team because it is a different or separate role from the data processor role, and it does not reflect the relationship or agreement between the organization and the internal IT team . References =
* 1: Data Processing - Wikipedia1
* 2: Data Processing: Definition, Steps, and Types2
* 3: Data Controller vs Data Processor: What's the Difference?3
* 4: Data controller vs data processor: What are the differences and responsibilities?4
* 5: Data Custodian - Wikipedia5
* 6: Data Custodian: Definition, Role & Responsibilities6
* : Data Owner - Wikipedia
* : Data Owner: Definition, Role & Responsibilities