Drag a concept onto its matching description — or click a concept then click the description.
Weakness in a system
Potential cause of harm
Likelihood and impact of a threat exploiting a vulnerability
Control to mitigate risk
Match each risk management term to its meaning.
Drag a concept onto its matching description — or click a concept then click the description.
Weakness in a system
Potential cause of harm
Likelihood and impact of a threat exploiting a vulnerability
Control to mitigate risk
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Risk: The potential for loss or harm when a threat exploits a vulnerability.
Risk is the potential for loss when a threat exploits a vulnerability. A threat is a potential cause of harm. A vulnerability is a weakness. Controls are measures to reduce risk.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Risk: The potential for loss or harm when a threat exploits a vulnerability.
Why this is correct
Correct definition of risk in information security.
Threat: A potential cause of an unwanted incident that may result in harm to a system or organization.
Why this is correct
Correct definition of a threat.
Vulnerability: A weakness in a system or its design that can be exploited by a threat.
Why this is correct
Correct definition of a vulnerability.
Risk: A weakness in a system or its design.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect — this describes vulnerability, not risk.
Threat: The potential for loss or harm.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect — this describes risk, not threat.
Vulnerability: A measure that modifies or reduces risk.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect — this describes a control, not vulnerability.
Go deeper
Learn chapter
Risk Management and Security Controls
Key term
Vulnerability
A vulnerability is a weakness in a system, network, or software that could be exploited by a threat to cause harm or unauthorized access.
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.
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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.