Which of the following statements best defines information security risk?

Which of the following statements best defines information security risk?
A . The potential that threats will exploit vulnerabilities of an information asset and cause harm to an organization
B . Weakness of an asset or control that can be exploited by one or a group of threats
C . Potential cause of an unwanted incident related to information security that can cause harm to an organization

View Answer

Answer: A

Explanation:

Information security risk, as defined by ISO/IEC 27005, is "the potential that a threat will exploit a vulnerability of an asset or group of assets and thereby cause harm to the organization." This definition emphasizes the interplay between threats (e.g., cyber attackers, natural disasters), vulnerabilities (e.g., weaknesses in software, inadequate security controls), and the potential impact or harm that could result from this exploitation. Therefore, option A is the most comprehensive and accurate description of information security risk. In contrast, option B describes a vulnerability, and option C focuses on the cause of an incident rather than defining risk itself. Option A aligns directly with the risk definition in ISO/IEC 27005.