Which term is defined as a mandatory requirement or specification approved by a recognized external standards organization?

Which term is defined as a mandatory requirement or specification approved by a recognized external standards organization?

• A. Threat
• B. Standard
• C. Policy
• D. Procedure

Answer: (B)

Standards are formal documents created by recognized external bodies that establish mandatory requirements or specifications. They provide a benchmark that organizations use to ensure consistency, interoperability, and compliance. Because they are approved by an external authority, standards carry an official, obliged status, which is why they’re described as mandatory when adopted or required by regulation, contract, or governance practices. In contrast, a threat is a potential cause of harm, a policy is an internal rule reflecting management’s intent, and a procedure is the specific steps to carry out a task. While policies may reference external standards and procedures implement them, the term that best fits a mandatory, externally approved requirement is the standard.

Standards are formal documents created by recognized external bodies that establish mandatory requirements or specifications. They provide a benchmark that organizations use to ensure consistency, interoperability, and compliance. Because they are approved by an external authority, standards carry an official, obliged status, which is why they’re described as mandatory when adopted or required by regulation, contract, or governance practices.

In contrast, a threat is a potential cause of harm, a policy is an internal rule reflecting management’s intent, and a procedure is the specific steps to carry out a task. While policies may reference external standards and procedures implement them, the term that best fits a mandatory, externally approved requirement is the standard.