Personal Security & Situational Awareness Flashcards
7 cards from real CFA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Personal Security & Situational Awareness flashcards as text
Which risk assessment model uses the formula Risk = Threat × Vulnerability × Consequence?
Answer: TVA (Threat-Vulnerability-Asset) Risk Model
The TVA risk model evaluates risk by multiplying the likelihood of a threat, the degree of vulnerability, and the severity of the consequence to prioritize protective measures.
A field agent suspects their personal mobile phone has been compromised. Which action is MOST appropriate?
Answer: Cease using the device for any sensitive communication and report the compromise to security
A suspected compromised device must be immediately taken offline for sensitive use and reported to security for forensic analysis and damage assessment.
The OODA Loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) is relevant to field agents because:
Answer: It describes the cognitive decision cycle that enables faster, better responses to threats than adversaries
The OODA Loop describes how individuals process and respond to threats; agents who cycle through it faster than adversaries gain a decisive tactical advantage.
What is 'elicitation' in the context of intelligence threats to field agents?
Answer: A subtle, conversational technique used by adversaries to extract sensitive information without direct questioning
Elicitation uses seemingly casual conversation to extract sensitive information from a target who does not realize they are being manipulated.
Which personal security measure is MOST important when using a public Wi-Fi network while on assignment?
Answer: Using a government-approved VPN for all communication and avoiding sensitive transactions
A government-approved VPN encrypts all traffic over public Wi-Fi, preventing man-in-the-middle attacks and eavesdropping on sensitive communications.
A field agent receives an unexpected approach from a foreign national who expresses strong sympathy for the agent's home country and offers to share 'useful information.' This situation should be treated as:
Answer: A possible provocation or intelligence collection attempt requiring immediate reporting
Unsolicited approaches by foreign nationals offering information are a classic intelligence collection or provocation technique and must be reported immediately.
Which of the following BEST describes the concept of 'layered security' in personal protection?
Answer: Implementing multiple overlapping security measures so that failure of one does not compromise overall protection
Layered security creates multiple barriers so that an adversary who defeats one measure still faces additional obstacles before compromising the principal's safety.