When the board requests consulting services to gain insight regarding external risks, the appropriate engagement objective is to assess the organization's ability to minimize these risks. This involves evaluating the organization's risk management framework, including identifying external risks, assessing their potential impact, and reviewing the effectiveness of the strategies and controls in place to mitigate these risks. By doing so, internal auditors provide valuable insights into how well the organization is prepared to handle external threats and ensure the achievement of its annual objectives.

Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Standards: Performance Standards 2110: Governance

COSO Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Framework: Risk Assessment and Risk Response Components