Threat

In the context of information security, a threat refers to any condition or activity that poses a potential risk to the security, integrity, or availability of data or information processing systems. A threat can originate from various sources and can be intentional or accidental. These sources include, but are not limited to, human actors (such as hackers, disgruntled employees, or negligent users), environmental conditions (such as natural disasters or equipment failure), and software issues (such as viruses or other malicious code).

A threat can manifest in several ways, impacting an organization by:

Understanding and identifying potential threats is a critical component of risk management. By assessing the various threats, an organization can develop strategies to mitigate risks through preventive measures and response plans, ensuring the continuity and reliability of its information systems.