Which of the following answers uses security terms "vulnerability," "threat," "risk," and "countermeasure" correctly?
A.
There can be a threat, but unless your company has the corresponding vulnerability, then the company is not exposed and it is not a vulnerability. If the vulnerability does reside in the environment, then a countermeasure is applied to reduce the risk.
B.
There can be a vulnerability, but unless your company has the corresponding risk, then the company is not exposed and it is not a vulnerability. If the vulnerability does reside in the environment, then a countermeasure is applied to reduce the risk.
C.
There can be a risk, but unless your company has the corresponding threat, then the company is not exposed and it is not a vulnerability. If the vulnerability does reside in the environment, then a countermeasure is applied to reduce the risk.
D.
There can be a threat, but unless your company has the corresponding vulnerability, then the company is not exposed and it is not a vulnerability. If the vulnerability does reside in the environment, then a countermeasure is applied to increase the risk.
Explanation:
A quantitative approach employs calculations using statistics of
probabilities and ratios pertaining to the possibilities of specific threats. A
qualitative approach is more subjective using opinion polls and other subjective
means that identify the priority of threats that pose possible risks.
I agree with the answer, though I don’t believe the Explanation pertains to this question. From Harris’s “Quick Tips”:
• A vulnerability is the absence of a safeguard (in other words, it is a weakness) that can be exploited.
• A threat is the possibility that someone or something would exploit a vulnerability, intentionally or accidentally, and cause harm to an asset.
• A risk is the probability of a threat agent exploiting a vulnerability and the loss potential from that action.
• Reducing vulnerabilities and/or threats reduces risk.
• An exposure is an instance of being exposed to losses from a threat.
• A countermeasure, also called a safeguard, mitigates the risk.