Which of the following would BEST be defined as an absence or weakness of safeguard that could be exploited?
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A. B. C. D.B.
It is a software , hardware or procedural weakness that may provide an attacker the open door he is looking for to enter a computer or network and have unauthorized access to resources within the environment.
A vulnerability characterizes the absence or weakness of a safeguard that could be exploited.
This vulnerability may be a service running on a server, unpatched applications or operating system software etc.
The following answers are incorrect because: Threat: A threat is defined as a potential danger to information or systems.
The threat is someone or something will identify a specific vulnerability and use it against the company or individual.
The entity that takes advantage of a vulnerability is referred to as a 'Threat Agent'
A threat agent could be an intruder accessing the network through a port on the firewall , a process accessing data that violates the security policy.
Risk:A risk is the likelihood of a threat agent taking advantage of a vulnerability and the corresponding business impact.
If a firewall has several ports open , there is a higher likelihood that an intruder will use one to access the network in an unauthorized method.
Exposure: An exposure is an instance of being exposed to losses from a threat agent.
REFERENCES: SHON HARRIS , ALL IN ONE THIRD EDITION : Chapter 3 : Security Management Practices , Pages: 57-59
The best answer to the question is B. A vulnerability.
A vulnerability is a weakness in a system, process, or application that can be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized access, compromise data, or cause a denial of service. It is an absence or weakness of a safeguard that could be exploited. Safeguards can include technical measures, such as firewalls and encryption, as well as administrative and physical controls, such as policies and procedures, access controls, and security awareness training.
A threat is a potential danger or harm that could exploit a vulnerability. Threats can be natural, such as a hurricane or earthquake, or human-made, such as a cyber attack or terrorist act. A risk is the likelihood and impact of a threat exploiting a vulnerability. It is the potential for harm or loss that can result from an event or activity. An exposure refers to the potential for loss or harm to a system or asset. It can result from a vulnerability being exploited by a threat.
Therefore, a vulnerability is the most appropriate answer to the question, as it is the absence or weakness of a safeguard that can be exploited by a threat to cause harm or loss to a system or asset.