(ISC)2 Certified in Cybersecurity Practice Exam

What term describes potential adverse effects on an organization's operations resulting from unauthorized information access?

1. Cyber Threat

2. Information Security Risk

3. Operational Hazard

4. Data Breach Risk

The correct answer is: Information Security Risk

The term that most accurately describes the potential adverse effects on an organization's operations due to unauthorized information access is Information Security Risk. This concept encompasses the variety of negative consequences that could arise from threats exploiting vulnerabilities within an organization’s systems, particularly regarding the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive data. Information Security Risk covers a broad range of issues, including data breaches, loss of data integrity, and impacts on operational processes, all of which can significantly affect an organization’s ability to function securely and efficiently. It emphasizes not just the act of unauthorized access but also the potential ramifications that such an event could bring about. While the other options touch on related concepts, they do not capture the full scope of potential impacts encompassed by Information Security Risk. For instance, a Cyber Threat refers more to the malicious entities or actions that could exploit vulnerabilities, rather than the resulting effects on the organization itself. An Operational Hazard might imply a risk associated with operational activities, not specifically tied to information security. Data Breach Risk focuses narrowly on the consequences of data breaches alone, without considering the broader risk spectrum related to all unauthorized access scenarios.