Strategies for Reducing Risk Without Preventive Controls

B.

When preventive controls cannot be implemented due to technology limitations, it is important to take immediate steps to reduce the risk. In this scenario, the first step that should be taken to reduce risk is to evaluate alternative controls.

Option B: Evaluate alternative controls should be the first step because it is essential to determine what other controls can be implemented to compensate for the lack of preventive controls. Alternative controls may include detective controls, corrective controls, or compensating controls that can help to identify, correct or mitigate any potential risk.

Option A: Redefining the business process may be a solution, but it should not be the first step. This option may require significant changes to the business process, which may not be practical or feasible. Additionally, it may take time to implement these changes and in the meantime, the risk remains.

Option C: Developing a plan to upgrade technology may be a solution in the long term, but it should not be the first step. This option may take time, resources, and financial investment to implement, and in the meantime, the risk remains.

Option D: Defining a process for monitoring risk is essential, but it should not be the first step. Monitoring risk is important to identify any new threats and to ensure that controls are effective. However, it is not the first step to reduce risk.

Therefore, the most appropriate action to take first when preventive controls cannot be implemented due to technology limitations is to evaluate alternative controls. This can help to mitigate the risk while other measures are being taken to address the underlying technology limitations.