What is a threat vector?

A threat vector refers specifically to the path or method through which a threat can exploit a vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to an asset. This concept is crucial in the context of cybersecurity because it helps identify how an attacker could potentially infiltrate a system and highlights the specific vulnerabilities that could be targeted.

Understanding threat vectors allows organizations to implement targeted defenses against potential attacks and to prioritize their cybersecurity measures based on how likely it is for certain attack methods to be employed against them. Recognizing various threat vectors—such as phishing emails, malware, unsecured networks, or misconfigured systems—enables effective risk assessment and mitigation strategies in accordance with standards like ISA/IEC 62443, which focus on ensuring the integrity, availability, and confidentiality of industrial automation and control systems.

The other options don't accurately define a threat vector, as one speaks to tools, another to the number of threats, and the last implies obsolescence in terminology, none of which align with the established definition in cybersecurity.