Internal documents such as security incident reports are considered what type of information source for determining loss risk?

Internal documents such as security incident reports are categorized as primary data because they provide firsthand, original evidence directly from the organization's experiences. This type of data is invaluable for risk assessments, as it reflects specific incidents that have occurred within the organization rather than summarizing or interpreting external findings. Utilizing primary data allows for a more accurate understanding of vulnerabilities, risks, and the potential for loss, based on actual events that the organization has encountered.

Primary data collected from security incident reports includes details such as the nature of the incident, the response to it, and any impact on the organization. This information is crucial for developing mitigation strategies and understanding patterns over time related to security risks.

While qualitative data generally refers to descriptive information that can't be easily quantified, and quantitative data involves measurable variables, those categories do not provide the direct, unfiltered insights that primary data offers. Historical data, on the other hand, might include trends and statistics over time, but it is derived from past incidents rather than being original and unique to the current assessment at hand. Thus, the classification of security incident reports as primary data underlines their critical role in evaluating and managing security risk within an organization.