A risk assessment is used to determine the probability of a security incident and its consequences.

A risk assessment is used to determine the probability of a security incident and its consequences.

• A. Probability
• B. Severity
• C. Impact
• D. Frequency

Answer: (A)

Probability is the central idea because a risk assessment focuses on estimating how likely it is that a security incident will occur. This likelihood, or probability, is the measure used to gauge risk alongside the potential consequences. While the impact of an incident matters, the question framing highlights the likelihood component, which is what probability captures. The other terms describe consequences (impact/severity) or relate more to how often events recur (frequency), rather than the chance of occurrence itself. So the best fit is probability, reflecting the likelihood of an incident happening.

Probability is the central idea because a risk assessment focuses on estimating how likely it is that a security incident will occur. This likelihood, or probability, is the measure used to gauge risk alongside the potential consequences. While the impact of an incident matters, the question framing highlights the likelihood component, which is what probability captures. The other terms describe consequences (impact/severity) or relate more to how often events recur (frequency), rather than the chance of occurrence itself. So the best fit is probability, reflecting the likelihood of an incident happening.