Cisco Cyber Security Practice Exam

How is risk defined in a cybersecurity context?

1. Potential loss without any controls

2. Threat minus opportunity

3. Threat combined with a vulnerability

4. Risk is not definable

The correct answer is: Threat combined with a vulnerability

In a cybersecurity context, risk is defined as the combination of a threat and a vulnerability. This correct definition emphasizes that risk arises when there is a potential for a threat to exploit a weakness, leading to possible harm or loss to an organization's assets. A threat refers to any circumstance or event that has the potential to cause harm, while a vulnerability is a weakness in a system, application, or process that can be exploited by the threat. Therefore, risk is effectively the likelihood of a threat exploiting a vulnerability to produce a negative outcome, such as data breaches, system failures, or financial loss. Understanding this relationship is crucial for developing effective cybersecurity strategies and controls, as it helps organizations identify where they need to strengthen their defenses against particular threats exploiting known vulnerabilities. By focusing on this dynamic, security professionals can prioritize their resources and efforts to mitigate the most significant risks.