The best input to assess the inherent risk impact of leakage of customer data is the number of customer records held. Inherent risk impact is a measure of the potential severity or consequence of a risk event, before considering the existing controls. Inherent risk impact can be based on quantitative or qualitative factors, such as financial, operational, reputational, or legal factors.The number of customer records held is the best input, because it directly reflects the amount and type of data that could be leaked, and the potential harm or loss that could result from the leakage. The number of customer records held can also help to estimate the probability and frequency of the leakage, as well as the effectiveness and efficiency of the controls. The more customer records the organization holds, the higher the inherent risk impact of leakage, and the more controls the organization needs to implement and maintain. The other options are not the best input, although they may be related or influential to the inherent risk impact. The number of databases that host customer data is a measure of the complexity or diversity of the data storage and management systems, but it does not directly indicate the amount or type of data that could be leaked, or the potential harm or loss that could result from the leakage. The number of databases that host customer data may also vary depending on the design and configuration of the systems, which may not reflect the inherent risk impact. The number of encrypted customer databases is a measure of the security or protection of the data storage and management systems, but it is not an input to the inherent risk impact, rather it is an output or a result of the control implementation. The number of encrypted customer databases may also depend on the quality and reliability of the encryption methods and keys, which may not indicate the inherent risk impact. The number of staff members having access to customer data is a measure of the exposure or vulnerability of the data to internal threats, such as unauthorized or malicious actions by the staff members. The number of staff members having access to customer data can affect the inherent risk impact, but it is not the best input, as it does not account for the external threats, such as hackers or competitors, or the amount or type of data that could be leaked, or the potential harm or loss that could result from the leakage. References = What is Inherent Risk? You Could Be at Risk of a Data Breach | UpGuard, Data leakage: A data leak is an unintentional exposure of sensitive data on the internet. For example, an employee might upload customer data files to an unsecured server. Lack of encryption: This is the storing, sending, or transferring information without converting it into ciphertext first.
