What is defined as anything capable of causing harm to an asset?

The term that is defined as anything capable of causing harm to an asset is a threat. In cybersecurity, a threat refers to any potential danger that could exploit a vulnerability, leading to unauthorized access, damage, or destruction of information or assets.

Understanding the concept of a threat is essential for organizations as it informs their risk management strategies. By identifying potential threats, organizations can implement appropriate safeguards to protect their assets. This could include malware attacks, unauthorized access attempts, or insider threats.

In contrast, vulnerability refers to a weakness in a system that can be exploited by a threat, exposure indicates the extent to which an asset is available to potential threats, and an incident refers to an occurrence that actually compromises the security of an information asset. Recognizing the difference between these terms highlights the importance of addressing threats in the context of cybersecurity risk management.