Which of the following is NOT a step in the risk assessment process?

The identification, ranking, and control evaluation are critical components of the risk assessment process. Identification involves recognizing potential risks, threats, and vulnerabilities that could impact operations. Ranking prioritizes these risks based on their likelihood and potential impact, allowing organizations to focus on the most significant threats. Control evaluation assesses the effectiveness of existing measures to mitigate identified risks, ensuring that the appropriate safeguards are in place.

In contrast, planning, while integral to the broader context of managing risks, is not typically categorized as a formal step in the risk assessment process itself. Instead, it follows the assessment phase, where strategies for addressing the identified and ranked risks are developed. Thus, identifying, ranking, and evaluating controls are specific steps within the assessment, while planning serves as a subsequent action derived from the results of the risk assessment.