Hrozby

Hrozby is a Czech and Slovak term meaning threats. In security, risk management and public policy, it refers to potential events or actions that could cause harm, damage, or loss, particularly when they may exploit vulnerabilities. The plural form hrozby is used to discuss multiple possible threats.

Threats can originate from various sources. Physical threats include violence, vandalism, terrorism, and other acts of crime. Natural threats encompass floods, storms, earthquakes, and other hazards from nature. Technological or cyber threats involve malware, phishing, data breaches, and ransomware. Health threats include disease outbreaks and other risks to public health. Economic or political threats cover market instability, sanctions, or policy shocks.

Assessing threats typically involves identifying potential sources, estimating their likelihood and potential impact, and prioritizing risks. Mitigation strategies include prevention, detection, preparedness, and response planning, as well as recovery measures after an incident. The goal is to reduce risk by lowering either the probability of the threat or the severity of its consequences.

In policy making, business planning, and disaster management, the concept of threats is used to inform risk assessments, security architecture, and contingency planning. It is often paired with the notions of vulnerabilities and controls to form a framework for protecting people, property, data, and operations.

Etymology: The word comes from the Czech verb hrozit, to threaten; the noun hrozba denotes a threat, with hrozby as the plural.