# Threats, vulnerabilities and risk

> Something valuable that needs protection.

Course: [Cybersecurity foundations](https://studybrix.com/en/courses/cybersecurity/index.md)
Level: university
Prerequisites: Basic computer and internet literacy.

## Notes

### Asset

Something valuable that needs protection.

### Threat

A potential cause of harm to an asset.

### Vulnerability

A weakness that can be exploited or triggered.

### Risk

The combination of likelihood and impact for a harmful event.

## Practice questions

### 1. Which term best matches this description: Something valuable that needs protection.

A. Vulnerability
B. Asset
C. Threat
D. Risk

Answer: Asset

Explanation: Asset is the matching concept in this lesson.

### 2. Which term best matches this description: A potential cause of harm to an asset.

A. Threat
B. Risk
C. Vulnerability
D. Asset

Answer: Threat

Explanation: Threat is the matching concept in this lesson.

### 3. Which concept would you apply first in a situation where a weakness that can be exploited or triggered.

A. Vulnerability
B. Threat
C. Asset
D. Risk

Answer: Vulnerability

Explanation: The scenario directly calls for Vulnerability.

### 4. Name the concept described as: The combination of likelihood and impact for a harmful event.

Answer: Risk

Explanation: The intended concept is Risk.

### 5. Which statement about Asset is most accurate?

A. A weakness that can be exploited or triggered.
B. Something valuable that needs protection.
C. A potential cause of harm to an asset.
D. The combination of likelihood and impact for a harmful event.

Answer: Something valuable that needs protection.

Explanation: The definition in the lesson notes gives the required condition.

### 6. Explain one important difference between Asset and Threat.

Sample answer / marking guidance: Asset: Something valuable that needs protection. Threat: A potential cause of harm to an asset.

Explanation: Credit a clear distinction using both definitions and an appropriate example if supplied.

### 7. Give a short example showing how Vulnerability would be used in practice.

Sample answer / marking guidance: A valid example should demonstrate this idea: A weakness that can be exploited or triggered.

Explanation: Credit a relevant scenario that applies the concept rather than merely naming it.

### 8. Summarize why Risk matters in the lesson “Threats, vulnerabilities and risk”.

Sample answer / marking guidance: Risk matters because The combination of likelihood and impact for a harmful event.

Explanation: Credit the core purpose, scope and any important limitation from the notes.

## Further reading

- https://www.nist.gov/cyberframework

Original AI-assisted educational draft; not independently teacher-reviewed. References support further study, not copied exercises, affiliation or curriculum accreditation.