- Which control discourages security violations before their occurrence?
A. Deterrent control
B. Preventive control
C. Corrective control
D. Compensating control
- The risk of DDoS attacks, SQL injection attacks, phishing, etc., is classified under which threat category?
A. Compliance
B. Operational
C. Technical
D. Strategic
- Which of the following types of risk would organizations being impacted by an upstream organization’s vulnerabilities be classified as?
A. Legacy risk
B. Multiparty risk
C. External risk
D. Multi-network risk
The correct answer and explanation is:
- Correct Answer: B. Preventive control
Preventive controls are designed to discourage security violations before they occur. These controls work proactively to prevent unauthorized access, malicious actions, or breaches from taking place. For example, firewalls, access controls, and encryption are preventive controls that help stop security incidents before they happen. By implementing preventive measures, organizations can effectively reduce the likelihood of an attack or breach. The purpose of these controls is to prevent harm to systems, networks, or data, and their implementation is key to any effective cybersecurity strategy.
Explanation: Preventive controls are the first line of defense in an organization’s security framework. These controls include technical solutions like multi-factor authentication (MFA) and intrusion prevention systems (IPS), as well as physical measures such as locks on doors or security guards. The main aim is to reduce the risk by ensuring that only authorized users have access to systems and that malicious activities are blocked before they can escalate. For example, a firewall can block unwanted network traffic, preventing a hacker from accessing sensitive information. By preventing security violations, organizations can avoid costly breaches and ensure compliance with industry regulations.
- Correct Answer: C. Technical
The risk of Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, SQL injection attacks, phishing, etc., is classified under the Technical threat category. These are all threats that exploit vulnerabilities in the software, hardware, or network infrastructure of an organization. Technical risks typically involve attacks that are aimed at the information systems directly and can result in data loss, unauthorized access, or system downtime.
Explanation: Technical threats are those that exploit weaknesses in an organization’s technology stack, including its hardware, software, and network systems. DDoS attacks, for instance, involve overwhelming a system with excessive traffic, causing service interruptions. SQL injection attacks target vulnerabilities in databases, allowing attackers to retrieve sensitive information or manipulate data. Phishing involves tricking users into revealing their credentials. These types of threats are often external, and addressing them requires robust cybersecurity tools and practices, such as firewalls, antivirus software, encryption, and user training to identify and avoid phishing scams. Therefore, such risks fall under the technical threat category.
- Correct Answer: B. Multiparty risk
Organizations that are impacted by vulnerabilities in an upstream organization’s systems are facing multiparty risk. This type of risk arises when an organization depends on other parties, such as suppliers or service providers, whose vulnerabilities could compromise the organization’s security.
Explanation: Multiparty risk refers to the potential security risks arising from the interactions and dependencies between multiple organizations, typically along the supply chain. If an upstream organization (e.g., a supplier or third-party service provider) suffers a data breach or experiences a security incident, downstream organizations that rely on this entity may also be impacted. For example, a supplier’s data breach could lead to the exposure of sensitive information or disruptions in operations for the downstream organization. This is why third-party risk management has become a crucial aspect of cybersecurity, as organizations must assess and mitigate risks not only within their own systems but also within their supply chains and external partnerships.