Which of the following should be the PRIMARY driver for the prioritization of risk responses?

Residual risk is the risk remaining after controls are implemented, and while it's a factor, risk appetite dictates what level of residual risk is acceptable.

Risk appetite represents the total amount and type of risk that an organization is willing to take or retain to achieve its strategic objectives. Therefore, risk responses are prioritized to ensure that, after treatment, the remaining residual risk falls within the organization's defined risk appetite, making actions addressing risks exceeding this appetite take higher priority.

Mitigation cost is an important consideration in choosing a risk response, but it should be weighed against the impact on risk appetite, not be the primary driver for prioritization itself.

Inherent risk is the risk before any controls are applied; while it helps identify risks, risk appetite guides how much of that inherent risk is acceptable to retain.