SSCP Risk Identification, Monitoring, and Analysis Practice Question
Which of the following is a technical threat source that could lead to a security breach?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse 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).
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.
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.
- ✗
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.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.