Motive (Goal) + Method + Vulnerability =

The formulation "Motive (Goal) + Method + Vulnerability" effectively encapsulates the essence of an attack. In cybersecurity, understanding the elements leading to an attack is crucial for incident handlers.

The motive reflects the intention behind the attack, whether it be financial gain, data theft, or disruption. The method refers to the techniques or tactics used to exploit a target, while the vulnerability identifies the weaknesses in a system that are being exploited. When these three components combine, they create a successful attack.

Recognizing this relationship helps incident handlers to analyze and predict potential threats, design effective countermeasures, and strengthen overall security posture. The other options do not directly relate to this equation; for instance, a security policy outlines rules governing security measures, defense-in-depth refers to a layered security approach, and access control involves mechanisms to restrict unauthorized access rather than describing the attack mechanism.