A vulnerability due to insufficient automated data backup is categorized as what type of cybersecurity issue?

The vulnerability resulting from insufficient automated data backup is categorized as an operational flaw. This classification encompasses issues related to the processes, procedures, and practices that organizations employ to manage their operational activities effectively. Automated data backups are crucial for ensuring data integrity, availability, and recoverability in the event of data loss due to cyber incidents, such as ransomware attacks or system failures.

When automated data backup processes are insufficient, it can lead to significant operational risks, as valuable data may be lost or unrecoverable. This operational aspect highlights the importance of maintaining robust cybersecurity measures beyond the technical safeguards often associated with software, hardware, or network defenses. Effective operational practices, including regular data backups and established recovery protocols, are essential for a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy.

Choosing from the other classifications, weaknesses in application software address issues related to bugs or vulnerabilities within the software systems themselves. Weaknesses in network security typically refer to vulnerabilities that could be exploited by an attacker to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or systems. Hardware deficiencies relate specifically to the physical devices and infrastructure used in the organization’s IT environment. None of these categories accurately capture the essence of the operational risk posed by insufficient automated data backup, which is fundamentally an issue of operational resilience.