Qualitative Risk Analysis: Producing Reliable Results

Qualitative Risk Analysis

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Question

When performing a qualitative risk analysis, which of the following will BEST produce reliable results?

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A. B. C. D.

B.

Listing all possible scenarios that could occur, along with threats and impacts, will better frame the range of risks and facilitate a more informed discussion and decision.

Estimated productivity losses, value of information assets and vulnerability assessments would not be sufficient on their own.

Qualitative risk analysis is a technique used to identify and prioritize risks based on subjective measurements such as likelihood, impact, and risk tolerance. It involves evaluating risks based on their potential impact on the organization, the likelihood of the risks occurring, and the organization's risk tolerance.

To produce reliable results, the qualitative risk analysis process should consider several factors, including the organization's risk tolerance, the value of the assets at risk, and the potential consequences of a successful attack.

Out of the four options given, the BEST approach for producing reliable results during a qualitative risk analysis would be to consider possible scenarios with threats and impacts (Option B).

The possible scenarios approach involves identifying potential risks and their associated impacts, including the likelihood and impact of each scenario. This approach is typically used to identify high-risk scenarios that require further attention.

For example, suppose a company is conducting a qualitative risk analysis on its IT infrastructure. In that case, possible scenarios with threats and impacts would involve identifying various cyber threats that the organization may face, such as phishing attacks, malware, or social engineering attacks. The organization would then evaluate the likelihood and impact of each scenario and prioritize the risks based on their severity.

While the other options provided (estimated productivity losses, value of information assets, and vulnerability assessment) can be useful in conducting a qualitative risk analysis, they are not as effective as the possible scenarios approach in producing reliable results.

Estimated productivity losses, for instance, may not capture the full extent of the impact of a successful attack, and the value of information assets may not consider other critical factors such as the likelihood of the risks occurring. Vulnerability assessment, on the other hand, is only a single component of a comprehensive risk analysis and does not consider the likelihood and impact of each scenario.