- A
Software bug
Software bugs are technical threat sources.
- B
Disgruntled employee
Why wrong: Disgruntled employee is a human threat source (intentional).
- C
Configuration weakness
Why wrong: Configuration weakness is a vulnerability source, not a threat source.
- D
Flood
Why wrong: Flood is an environmental threat source, not technical.
Question 328 of 1,000
SSCP Risk Identification, Monitoring, and Analysis Practice Question
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of risk identification, monitoring, and analysis. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Which of the following is a technical threat source that could lead to a security breach?
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
✓
Software bug
A software bug is a technical threat source because it is an unintentional flaw in code that can be exploited to cause a security breach. For example, a buffer overflow bug in a network service can allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code, bypassing access controls. This directly aligns with the definition of a technical threat as an inherent weakness in hardware or software.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Software bug
Why this is correct
Software bugs are technical threat sources.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Disgruntled employee
Why it's wrong here
Disgruntled employee is a human threat source (intentional).
- ✗
Configuration weakness
Why it's wrong here
Configuration weakness is a vulnerability source, not a threat source.
- ✗
Flood
Why it's wrong here
Flood is an environmental threat source, not technical.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is confusing vulnerabilities (like configuration weaknesses) with threat sources, but the SSCP exam specifically tests the distinction that a threat source is the cause (e.g., a bug), while a vulnerability is the exploitable condition (e.g., a misconfiguration).
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Technical threat sources are defined in NIST SP 800-30 as 'threats that originate from technical failures or accidents,' such as software bugs, hardware failures, or communication link outages. A classic example is the Heartbleed bug (CVE-2014-0160), a buffer over-read in OpenSSL that allowed attackers to leak memory contents, including private keys. This bug was a technical threat because it was a coding error in the software itself, not a misconfiguration or human action.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A security team runs a vulnerability scan on a web application and discovers an unpatched SQL injection flaw. The team prioritises remediation by CVSS score — critical flaws are patched within 24 hours, high within 7 days. Questions like this test whether you understand vulnerability management processes, scanning tools, and remediation prioritisation.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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Risk Identification, Monitoring, and Analysis — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SSCP question test?
Risk Identification, Monitoring, and Analysis — This question tests Risk Identification, Monitoring, and Analysis — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Software bug — A software bug is a technical threat source because it is an unintentional flaw in code that can be exploited to cause a security breach. For example, a buffer overflow bug in a network service can allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code, bypassing access controls. This directly aligns with the definition of a technical threat as an inherent weakness in hardware or software.
What should I do if I get this SSCP question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This SSCP 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 SSCP exam.
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