How should risk be managed in the Intolerable region?

The correct answer is A. Risk cannot be justified except in extraordinary circumstances. In ISO 31000-aligned risk evaluation frameworks, risks are commonly categorized into regions such as intolerable, tolerable, and acceptable based on predefined risk criteria.

Risks in the intolerable region exceed the organization’s risk appetite and tolerance. ISO 31000 emphasizes that such risks require immediate treatment, including avoidance or significant reduction. Accepting intolerable risks would contradict the principle of protecting and creating value.

Option B describes the ALARP (As Low As Reasonably Practicable) principle, which applies to the tolerable region, not the intolerable region. Option C oversimplifies decision-making and ignores risk appetite boundaries. Option D contradicts ISO 31000, as monitoring alone is insufficient for intolerable risks.

From a PECB ISO 31000 Lead Risk Manager perspective, intolerable risks demand decisive action and cannot be accepted as part of normal operations. Therefore, the correct answer is risk cannot be justified except in extraordinary circumstances.