ISC2 CC Security Principles Practice Question
A security team identifies that a server has a known vulnerability. A threat actor could exploit it to gain unauthorized access. The combination of these factors represents:
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Risk
Risk is the probability that a threat exploits a vulnerability, causing harm.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Threat
Why it's wrong here
The threat is the potential cause, not the combination.
- ✓
Risk
Why this is correct
Risk is the potential for loss when a threat exploits a vulnerability.
- ✗
Control
Why it's wrong here
A control would mitigate the risk.
- ✗
Vulnerability
Why it's wrong here
The vulnerability is the weakness itself.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Introduction to Security Principles
Key term
Risk
Risk is the possibility that an event or action will negatively affect an organization's ability to achieve its goals, often measured in terms of likelihood and impact.
Key term
Threat
A threat is any potential danger that could harm a computer system, network, or data, whether from a malicious hacker, a natural disaster, or an accidental mistake.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CC practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CC exam.