Which of the following should an internal auditor check for first when conducting an audit of the organization’s risk management program?

An internal auditor should first check for policies and procedures because these documents establish the framework, rules, and guidelines for the entire risk management program. Without clearly defined policies and procedures, it's impossible to objectively assess whether the program is being implemented correctly or effectively. They provide the criteria against which all other activities, such as asset management, vulnerability assessments, and business impact analyses, will be measured. Asset management, vulnerability assessments, and business impact analyses are all components or activities within a risk management program, but their effectiveness cannot be properly evaluated without first understanding the foundational policies and procedures that govern them.