Which term describes an action taken to counteract a danger or threat?

The term that best describes an action taken to counteract a danger or threat is countermeasure. In cybersecurity and risk management contexts, a countermeasure refers to a strategy or action that is implemented to reduce, mitigate, or eliminate threats and vulnerabilities. Countermeasures can include technical solutions like firewalls, policies, procedures, employee training, or other practices designed to protect an organization from potential risks.

While mitigation also involves reducing risk, it often refers more broadly to the overall strategy or approach to lessen the impact of threats rather than a specific action taken. Remediation focuses more on correcting or fixing a problem or vulnerability after it has occurred, while containment refers specifically to actions that limit the spread of damage during an incident. Thus, countermeasure is the term that distinctly encapsulates proactive actions taken in response to threats or dangers.