Security Risk Assessments
Overview
Organizations face a complex risk landscape and require to approach and manage the risk landscape through integrated, comprehensive, and systematic thinking and implementation. Raven Rae Consultancy Services objective is to manage our clientele’s risks through proactive support in the pursuit of the organization’s objectives and opportunities. The risk assessment covers the process of prevention, protection, preparedness, readiness, mitigation, response, continuity, and recovery from undesirable and disruptive events. Each of the Security Risk Assessment stages contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the organization’s security posture and helps to build a robust framework to protect its assets. This process is not a one-time event but a continuous cycle of assessment, implementation, and revision.
Stages of an SRA
Define the Scope
- Asset Identification: Determine which assets (physical and digital) are critical to the operations of the organization.
- Environment Review: Understand the environment in which the assets are located, including physical layout and digital networks.
Threat Identification
- External Threats: Identify threats from external sources such as criminals, hackers, competitors, or terrorists.
- Internal Threats: Consider threats from inside the organization, which could include disgruntled employees, accidental data leaks, etc.
- Natural Disasters: Assess the risk of natural events like earthquakes, floods, or storms that could impact security.
Vulnerability Analysis
- Physical Vulnerabilities: Examine weaknesses in building security, access controls, perimeter defenses, etc.
- Digital Vulnerabilities: Assess the vulnerabilities in IT systems and networks that could be exploited by cyber attacks.
- Human Factors: Evaluate the potential for human error, lack of training, or inadequate security policies.
Risk Evaluation
- Likelihood of Occurrence: Estimate the probability that a given threat will exploit a vulnerability.
- Impact Assessment: Determine the potential impact on the organization if the threat materializes, which could include financial loss, reputational damage, or physical harm.
- Risk Level: Classify risks into categories such as high, medium, or low based on their likelihood and impact.
Control Recommendations
- Preventive Measures: Recommend strategies to reduce the likelihood of a threat occurring, such as improved access controls or cybersecurity measures.
- Detective Measures: Suggest systems to detect when a security breach has occurred, such as intrusion detection systems or regular audits.
- Corrective Measures: Outline steps to minimize the impact of a security incident once it has occurred, including emergency response protocols and disaster recovery plans.
Implementation of Controls
- Prioritization: Determine which controls to implement first based on the risk levels and available resources.
- Execution: Implement the recommended security measures.
- Training: Provide training to employees on new security protocols and systems.
Review and Monitoring
- Continuous Monitoring: Establish processes for ongoing monitoring of threats and vulnerabilities.
- Regular Reviews: Schedule periodic reviews of the security environment and effectiveness of implemented controls.
Reach Out
Raven Rae Consultancy Services specializes in risk mitigation, life support, humanitarian aid, safety and security management, specialized training, and crisis management to meet the needs of government organizations, local and international non-government organizations, Intergovernmental organizations, and international development organizations. Contact us to find out how we can support your organization.