Which term provides a quantitative view of risk and performance in a network?

• A. Baseline
• B. Metrics
• C. Visibility
• D. Resources

Answer: (B)

Metrics provide a quantitative view of network performance and risk. They turn observations into numbers, letting you gauge current health, compare against thresholds, and track trends over time. By collecting metrics on throughput, latency, jitter, packet loss, error rates, and security indicators like failed logins or patch compliance, you get an objective picture of how the network is doing and where risks lie. This numeric data supports decision-making, capacity planning, and incident response because you can quantify improvements or deteriorations rather than relying on subjective impressions. A baseline serves as a reference point representing normal operation; it helps you interpret metrics by showing what is typical, but it is not itself the measurement. Visibility is about knowing what is happening and having access to the data; metrics are the actual measurements you use to quantify performance and risk, whereas resources describe what you have available rather than how well you’re performing.