What is meant by "unmitigated risk" in the context of cyber risk?

Unmitigated risk refers to a situation where a potential threat or vulnerability exists without any measures in place to reduce or manage it. This means that the risk remains at its full level of severity, posing a potential impact on the organization or system. In cyber risk contexts, an unmitigated risk indicates a failure to implement necessary security controls or countermeasures that would lower the likelihood or impact of a cyber incident occurring.

This concept is critical for organizations as it emphasizes the importance of identifying and addressing risks proactively. By understanding what constitutes unmitigated risks, organizations can prioritize their cybersecurity strategies to effectively allocate resources towards mitigating these vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.

The other options focus on risks that are either addressed, cannot be ignored, or are continuously monitored, which implies some level of management or recognition of the risk. However, unmitigated risk distinctly captures the essence of remaining risks without any reduction or controls applied to them.