All articles in the "Introduction to Cyber Security" series
- Cyber Security. Not What I thought
- Basics of Cyber Security Requirements
- The CIA Triad
- Introducing the ASD
- Introducing the Essential 8
- Mapping Strategies to controls
- Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Risks
- Introduction to Risk and Risk Management
- ICT Assets and Asset Registers
- Cyber Threat Awareness
- Introduction to Cyber Incident Response Plan
- Risk Management and Cyber Controls
- Risk Mitigation Plans
- Implement Security Controls
- Measuring Security
- Exploring Implementation Discrepancy
- CIRP as a Mitigation Strategy
Risk Management and Cyber Controls: From Gaps to Implementation
After identifying your assets and understanding the threats and risks they face, the next step is to build and implement a robust defences. This moves from theory to practice, focusing on how to establish a solid risk management framework and then select and implement the right cyber security controls to close the security gaps identified in your assessments. It’s about creating a living, breathing strategy that protects your organisation from digital threats.
Risk Management Framework and Cyber Risk Controls
A risk management framework is a structured approach to managing risk, designed to provide a consistent and effective way to identify, assess, and treat risks across an organisation. These frameworks are guided by the principle that risk management should be integrated into an organisation’s decision-making process, rather than being a separate, isolated activity. The goal is to reduce risk level to as low as reasonably practicably (ALARP) , ensuring that the processes implemented provide a clear benefit to the organisation.
A key component of this framework is the implementation of cyber risk controls. These are actions, processes, or technologies used to reduce security risks. They are a direct response to the threats and vulnerabilities identified during the risk assessment. Controls can be categorised based on their function:
- Preventative: Aimed at stopping an incident before it happens, such as fire safety training.
- Detective: Designed to identify an incident as it occurs, like smoke alarms.
- Corrective: Focused on restoring a system after an incident, such as a property insurance policy to recover from fire damage.
Select and Implement Cyber Security Controls
The selection and implementation of controls is a deliberate process that begins with understanding your organization’s specific needs and its risk appetite.
1. Identify Security Gaps
Before implementing new controls, you must first identify the gaps between your current security posture and your desired level of protection. A
security gap analysis is a formal review of your current network security policies, procedures, and measures to pinpoint weaknesses and areas that are not compliant with industry regulations. This process is vital for several reasons:
It helps you identify where you are failing to meet your cybersecurity requirements.
It can help you avoid regulatory and compliance issues before they result in official sanctions.
It allows you to consolidate redundant security measures that may be interfering with business operations.
It raises awareness about cybersecurity best practices among employees.
2. Determine Cyber Controls
Once the gaps are identified, you can determine which controls are most appropriate to address them. This selection process is directly linked to the organisation’s risk appetite level, the level of risk it is willing to accept.
The goal is to find controls that effectively address the gaps while aligning with the organisation’s business objectives.
For example, a security control might be a standard operating procedure (SOP) that outlines how to manage backups and user accounts, or an incident response plan (IRP) that provides guidelines for what constitutes a cyber incident.
3. Seek Feedback and Agree on Cyber Security Controls
A critical but often overlooked step is to seek feedback from key organisational representatives (The end user) and gain their agreement on the chosen controls. This collaborative approach ensures that the controls are practical and do not hinder business processes. Feedback is essential for:
- Identifying discrepancies between the proposed controls and the actual cybersecurity requirements.
- Ensuring the controls are a good fit for the organisation’s culture and operational “reality”.
- Gaining buy-in from stakeholders, which is critical for successful implementation.
By involving those who will be affected by the changes, you can ensure the new controls are not only effective but also sustainable and widely adopted.
Effective risk and service management is a continuous cycle of
- Analysis,
- Implementation, and
- Review.
By establishing a robust framework, identifying and closing security gaps, and strategically implementing cyber controls with input from across the organization, you can build a resilient defense. The journey from identifying a threat to implementing a control is a testament to an organization’s commitment to protecting its most valuable assets—its data, its operations, and its reputation.