What is described as a circumstance with potential harm to an information system?

The term that describes a circumstance with potential harm to an information system is "threat." A threat is defined as any potential danger that could exploit a vulnerability and cause harm to the information system, including data breaches, unauthorized access, or other forms of cyber attacks. Understanding threats is essential in information security so that appropriate measures can be taken to mitigate potential harm.

The other concepts, while related, have different definitions. "Risk" refers to the potential for loss or damage when a threat exploits a vulnerability, often quantifying the severity and likelihood of that event. "Vulnerability" indicates a weakness in the system that could be exploited by a threat, but it does not imply any active potential for harm by itself. Lastly, "hazard" is a broader term that can refer to any source of potential harm or adverse effect, but it is less specific to the context of information systems than a threat. Therefore, the accurate term for a circumstance with potential harm specific to an information system is indeed a threat.