Which impact category is associated with a low level of effect in FIPS 199?

In the context of FIPS 199, which is the Federal Information Processing Standards Publication that establishes standards for categorizing information and information systems based on the impact of a security breach, the impact categories define how critical information is to an organization. The categories are low, moderate, and high.

Selecting "low" as the correct answer reflects an understanding that this category signifies that a security breach would have a limited adverse effect on organizational operations, assets, individuals, or other organizations. Specifically, a low impact means that while there could be some disruption, the overall consequences would not be detrimental to the core functions or security of the organization.

This choice is essential for properly categorizing systems and determining appropriate security measures, as it helps organizations identify which systems require more stringent protection versus those that can afford to have more flexibility in their security controls. The emphasis on the "low" impact acknowledges the importance of tiered security measures in aligning with the assessed potential consequence of data breaches, allowing for effective resource allocation in safeguarding information systems.