General security threats fall into four broad categories:
Loss of use.
Loss of performance.
Disclosure of information.
Loss of integrity.
Loss of Use |
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This type of loss can affect both equipment and data. It can result from such causes as theft, vandalism, fire, and natural catastrophes, such as earthquakes and floods. Data on magnetic media is particularly susceptible to accidental or deliberate corruption or erasure by magnetic fields, and data on disk can be lost due to head crashes. Regardless of cause, this type of loss is characterized by the inability to use the property. This is usually accompanied by the need to spend funds to replace it.
Loss of Performance |
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This type of loss can result from such causes as simple wear and tear, incorrect usage, and sabotage. The loss is characterized by a decrease in operating efficiency, and may go on for some time before being discovered.
Disclosure of Information |
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This type of loss may result from accident, theft or simple mistakes. The types of information involved can range from business records to scientific and military data. The loss is generally characterized by a loss of some economic, scientific, or military advantage.
Loss of Integrity |
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Integrity constitutes a loss of quality or trust in data resulting from incorrect or malicious modification.
