Vulnerability vs Threat
Risk, threat, and vulnerability are terms often used in relation to the security of a system or business model. These terms can sometimes be confusing, particularly when it comes to understanding the difference between vulnerability and threat. Vulnerability is intrinsic to an individual, machine, system, or even an entire infrastructure, whereas threat is extrinsic. Vulnerabilities are like the proverbial Achilles heel, which can be exploited by adversaries or people with malicious intent to create a threat or threat perception. This article aims to clarify the distinctions between threat and vulnerability.
Consider the following scenario: if someone points a gun at you, they are creating a real threat. However, if you shoot the person first, you have eliminated the threat. Despite this, you remain vulnerable to future attacks. Wearing a bulletproof vest could reduce your vulnerability, but there may still be threats from others who seek to harm you.
Key Takeaways
- Threat is extrinsic to a system, while vulnerability is an inherent weakness within a system.
- Vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker to create a real threat to a system.
- Eliminating risk involves both reducing threats and vulnerabilities within a system.
Threat
A threat is a potential cause of harm or undesirable impact on an individual, organization, or system. It is external to a system and may be real or perceived. Threats exploit vulnerabilities or weaknesses intrinsic to a system. For example, hackers, viruses, and malicious software are all threats to your computer from the internet if you do not have a strong antivirus installed, leaving your computer vulnerable to such attacks or threats.
Assets are constantly under threat of being attacked, damaged, or destroyed by external dangers that can exploit vulnerabilities or weaknesses inherent to the system. An asset is always sought to be protected against threats from external agents. Generally, people, property, and information are the main assets, and efforts are continuously made to prepare for and counter challenges posed by external threats.
Vulnerability
Vulnerability is the weakness in a system or organization that can be exploited by threats to gain access to the system. It is any flaw or inherent weakness in a system that can be utilized by a threat to gain access, causing harm to the system. Vulnerability is a condition of weakness and, as such, is poised to be exploited by threats.
In order to calculate the risk to an asset, it is crucial to analyze both vulnerability and threat. The equation A + T + V = R demonstrates that the risk to an asset (A) is the sum of threats to it and its vulnerability. Eliminating risk involves both reducing threats and vulnerabilities within a system.
