Factors Affecting the Likelihood of a Successful Attack
Question
The likelihood of a successful attack is a function of:
Answers
Explanations
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A. B. C. D.A.
The likelihood of a successful attack on a system or asset is determined by various factors. The answer to the question is option A: incentive and capability of the intruder.
Incentive refers to the reasons or motivations that drive an attacker to attempt an attack. The intruder may be motivated by financial gain, political or ideological reasons, revenge, or curiosity. The more significant the incentive, the higher the likelihood of an attack.
Capability, on the other hand, refers to the attacker's ability to launch and execute an attack. This could include technical expertise, knowledge of vulnerabilities, access to tools and resources, or physical access to the target system. The more capable the attacker, the higher the likelihood of an attack.
Both incentive and capability are critical factors in determining the likelihood of an attack. For instance, a highly motivated attacker may not be successful if they lack the necessary technical skills or resources to execute an attack. Similarly, a highly capable attacker may not be motivated to launch an attack if there is no significant incentive.
The other options in the question also have a role in determining the likelihood of an attack, but they are not as crucial as incentive and capability.
Option B, opportunity, refers to the circumstances or conditions that allow an attacker to launch an attack. For example, a system that is always connected to the internet is more susceptible to attacks than one that is only accessible within a closed network. Asset value, on the other hand, refers to the importance or significance of the asset that is being targeted. The higher the asset value, the more likely it is to be targeted.
Option C, threat and vulnerability levels, are important in determining the overall risk of an attack. Threat refers to the likelihood of an attack occurring, while vulnerability refers to the weaknesses or flaws in a system that an attacker can exploit. However, these factors alone do not determine the likelihood of an attack as they do not consider the attacker's capabilities and incentives.
Option D, value and desirability to the intruder, is related to incentive. The more valuable or desirable the asset, the higher the likelihood of an attack. However, this option does not consider the attacker's capability, which is just as important in determining the likelihood of an attack.
In conclusion, while all of the options presented in the question have a role in determining the likelihood of an attack, the most critical factors are the incentive and capability of the intruder.