SSCP Risk Identification, Monitoring, and Analysis Practice Question
Which TWO of the following are common techniques used in quantitative risk analysis?
⚠ Common exam trap
The SSCP exam often tests the distinction between qualitative and quantitative methods by listing qualitative tools (like risk ratings, probability-impact matrices, and Delphi) as distractors, expecting candidates to recognize that only metrics like EF, AV, SLE, and ALE are truly quantitative.
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
✓
Exposure Factor (EF)
Options A and B are correct because quantitative risk analysis relies on numeric monetary values: the Exposure Factor (EF) is the percentage of an asset's value that would be lost in a given incident, and the Asset Value (AV) is the monetary worth of the asset, both of which feed the Single Loss Expectancy (SLE = AV × EF) and Annualized Loss Expectancy (ALE = SLE × ARO) calculations. These are core measurable inputs that make the analysis truly quantitative. Options C, D, and E do not belong: a High/Medium/Low risk rating is qualitative, the probability and impact matrix is a qualitative technique that maps likelihood against consequence, and the Delphi technique is a qualitative expert-consensus method for estimating risk.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Exposure Factor (EF)
Why this is correct
Exposure Factor quantifies the percentage of an asset's value lost in a single incident, feeding directly into SLE and ALE calculations. It is a numeric input, distinguishing quantitative analysis from qualitative techniques such as Delphi or scenario ranking.
- ✓
Asset Value (AV)
Why this is correct
Asset Value assigns a monetary worth to the resource at risk, forming the base figure multiplied by Exposure Factor to derive SLE. This numeric valuation is fundamental to quantitative analysis, unlike qualitative approaches that rank risks descriptively.
- ✗
Risk rating (High/Medium/Low)
Why it's wrong here
Risk rating assigns ordinal High, Medium or Low labels, which are qualitative categories rather than measurable numeric values. It is tempting because it prioritises risks, but ordinal scales belong to qualitative analysis; quantitative analysis computes monetary or probabilistic figures such as expected monetary value or annualised loss expectancy.
- ✗
Probability and impact matrix
Why it's wrong here
The probability and impact matrix maps qualitative likelihood and consequence ratings, producing ordinal categories rather than numeric loss values. It is tempting because it structures risk assessment, but it belongs to qualitative analysis; quantitative techniques compute monetary or frequency-based figures such as expected monetary value.
- ✗
Delphi technique
Why it's wrong here
The Delphi technique gathers expert opinion through iterative anonymous rounds, yielding consensus judgements rather than numeric probability or loss estimates. It is tempting because it is a recognised risk analysis method, but it is qualitative; quantitative analysis requires techniques such as Monte Carlo simulation or expected monetary value.
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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.