CIO's Decision on Known Vulnerability Safeguards

D.

The best answer for the question is D. Acceptance.

Risk response is an integral part of the risk management process, which involves identifying, assessing, and prioritizing potential risks and implementing a plan to mitigate, transfer, avoid or accept them.

In this scenario, the CIO has decided not to implement safeguards against a known vulnerability. This decision indicates that the organization is aware of the risk associated with the vulnerability, but has chosen not to take any measures to mitigate or avoid it. Instead, the organization has accepted the risk and its potential consequences.

Acceptance is a risk response strategy that involves acknowledging the existence of a risk and choosing not to take any action to reduce or transfer it. This may be an appropriate response when the cost of implementing safeguards outweighs the potential impact of the risk.

Transference is a risk response strategy that involves shifting the risk to a third party. This may involve transferring the risk to an insurance company, a supplier, or a contractor.

Avoidance is a risk response strategy that involves taking measures to prevent a risk from occurring. This may involve changing business processes, implementing new technologies, or avoiding certain activities or situations altogether.

Mitigation is a risk response strategy that involves taking steps to reduce the likelihood or impact of a risk. This may involve implementing controls, such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, or access controls, to reduce the risk of a cyber attack.

In conclusion, the decision of the CIO to not implement safeguards against a known vulnerability indicates that the organization has accepted the risk and its potential consequences, which makes acceptance the most appropriate risk response strategy in this scenario.