RA Step 2 Task 5 determines Impact. Which elements are included?

• A. The characteristics of the threat sources, identified vulnerabilities, and safeguards planned or implemented.
• B. Only the probability of occurrence.
• C. The color of the user interface.
• D. The organization’s marketing plan.

Answer: (A)

Impact in a risk assessment is about the potential harm that could result if a threat exploits a vulnerability and how safeguards might lessen that harm. The elements included are the characteristics of the threat sources, identified vulnerabilities, and safeguards planned or implemented. Thinking through threat sources helps you understand who or what could cause damage and their capabilities. Identifying vulnerabilities shows where weaknesses exist that an attacker could exploit. Considering safeguards, whether currently in place or planned, reveals how much those harms could be mitigated. Put together, these factors define the possible consequences to operations, assets, individuals, and the organization, and how effectively controls reduce that impact. The other options don’t fit because probability alone only addresses likelihood, not the consequence; the color of the user interface and the marketing plan are not related to security risk impact.