* When acritical vulnerabilityis identified, the immediate next step should be toassess the risk associated with the vulnerability. * Risk assessment (Option B)helps determine the severity, exploitability, and business impact before deciding on mitigation measures. * Option A (delaying the fix)is dangerous because payment data theft can have severe consequences, including regulatory penalties and reputational damage. * Option C (ignoring the vulnerability)is incorrect because passing a compliance audit does not mean the system is secure. * Option D (isolating and reimaging)is an extreme measure that might not be necessary unless active exploitation is detected. #Reference:CompTIA CySA+ CS0-003 Official Study Guide, Risk Management & Vulnerability Management Lifecycle.