What do security metrics define?

Security metrics define a standard of measurement for security-related activities. Metrics are critical in assessing the effectiveness of security measures and policies in place within an organization. They provide quantifiable data that can help determine the security posture of a system, track improvements over time, and identify areas that may require more attention or resources.

By establishing and analyzing security metrics, organizations can make informed decisions regarding their security strategies. These metrics might include the number of security incidents over time, the time taken to resolve security issues, and the compliance with security policies. This enables businesses to understand their risks better and demonstrates accountability to stakeholders.

The other options describe important concepts in security but do not pertain to the definition of security metrics specifically. For instance, storing user passwords is a fundamental security practice, incident response frameworks outline processes for handling security breaches, and data loss prevention techniques focus on safeguarding sensitive information. However, these concepts do not encompass the role of security metrics in measuring and evaluating security performance.