What is an asset inventory in cybersecurity?

In cybersecurity, an asset inventory is a systematic and organized list that encompasses all information assets within an organization, which includes both hardware and software. This comprehensive inventory serves as a foundational element of cybersecurity risk management, allowing organizations to identify, categorize, and prioritize their assets. By maintaining an accurate asset inventory, organizations can effectively assess risks associated with each asset, understand their dependencies, and develop appropriate security measures to protect them.

Having a complete inventory of assets enhances an organization's ability to mitigate potential threats, comply with regulatory requirements, and respond effectively to incidents. It also informs decisions regarding resource allocation, security policies, and incident response plans. In contrast, the other options, while related to cybersecurity, do not adequately define what an asset inventory encompasses in this context.