IT risk management is the application of risk management methods to information technology in order to manage IT risk. Various methodologies exist to manage IT risks, each involving specific processes and steps.[1]
According to the NIST, "Risk management allows IT managers to balance the operational and economic costs of protective measures with mission goals by securing IT systems and data."[5] The American National Information Assurance Training and Education Center defines risk management in the IT field as:[6]
While specific methods may vary, risk management processes generally include establishing context, conducting risk assessments, and managing risks. Risk management methodologies from standards such as ISO/IEC 27005, BS 7799, NIST SP 800-39, and Risk IT emphasize a structured approach to these processes. The following table compares key processes across leading frameworks:
| ISO/IEC 27005:2008 | BS 7799-3:2006 | NIST SP 800-39 | Risk IT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Context establishment | Organizational context | Frame | RG and RE Domains, including IT risk tolerance and risk practices | |
| Risk assessment | Risk assessment | Assess | Processes for risk analysis and evaluation | |
| Risk treatment | Risk treatment | Respond | Selection of risk response options and treatment plans | |
| Risk acceptance | Not specified | Not specified | RG3.4 Accept IT risk | |
| Risk monitoring | Ongoing management activities | Monitor | Independent assurance of IT risk management |
The first step in the ISO/IEC 27005 framework is context establishment. This step involves gathering relevant information about the organization and defining the criteria, scope, and boundaries of the risk management activities. This includes complying with legal requirements, ensuring due diligence, and supporting the establishment of an information security management system (ISMS). The scope can encompass incident reporting plans, business continuity plans, or product certifications.
The key criteria include risk evaluation, risk acceptance, and impact assessment, influenced by:[7]
Establishing the organization’s mission, values, structure, strategy, locations, and cultural environment is crucial, along with documenting constraints such as budgetary, cultural, political, and technical factors that will guide the risk management process.
Risk assessment, a critical component of IT risk management, is performed at specific points in time (e.g., annually or on-demand) and provides a snapshot of assessed risks. It forms the foundation for ongoing risk management, which includes analysis, planning, implementation, control, and monitoring of security measures.
Risk assessments may be iterative, beginning with high-level evaluations to identify major risks, followed by more detailed analysis in subsequent iterations. The following steps are typically involved:
The ISO 27005 framework divides the process into the following stages:
| Risk analysis | RE2 Analyse risk, including risk scenario development and peer review | |
| Risk identification | Included in RE2.2 Estimate IT risk | |
| Risk estimation | RE2.2 Estimate IT risk | |
| Risk evaluation | RE2.2 Estimate IT risk |
This process identifies the assets (both primary and supporting), threats, and vulnerabilities that may affect the organization. Additionally, it involves identifying business processes and existing or planned security measures. The result of this step is a list of risks, threats, and potential consequences related to the assets and business processes.
Risk estimation assesses the likelihood and consequences of the identified risks. Two common approaches are:
For both methods, risk values are calculated for each asset and the output is documented in a risk register.
In this step, the results from the risk analysis are compared against the organization's risk acceptance criteria. The risk list is prioritized, and recommendations are made for risk treatment. Risks that are too costly to mitigate may be accepted or transferred (e.g., through insurance).
Risk mitigation involves prioritizing and implementing risk-reducing measures recommended during risk assessment. Since eliminating all risk is impractical, organizations must apply the most cost-effective controls to reduce risk to an acceptable level while minimizing the impact on other operations.
The following strategies are typically considered:[5]
Residual risks, those remaining after treatment, are estimated to ensure adequate protection, and further measures may be taken if necessary.
Risk communication is a continuous, bidirectional process that ensures a common understanding of risk among all stakeholders. Effective communication influences decision-making and promotes a culture of risk awareness across the organization. One method to achieve this is the Risk Reduction Overview method,[9] which presents risks, measures, and residual risks in a comprehensible manner.
Risk management is an ongoing process that requires regular monitoring and review to ensure that implemented security measures remain effective as business conditions, threats, and vulnerabilities change. Regular security audits and reviews are essential to validate security controls and assess residual risks.
New vulnerabilities, such as zero-day attacks, must be addressed through continuous monitoring, patch management, and updating of controls. Benchmarking against best practices and engaging in professional development activities are important for maintaining state-of-the-art risk management practices.
To ensure the effectiveness of security measures, controls should be continuously tested and validated, including both technical systems and procedural controls. Penetration tests and vulnerability assessments are common methods for verifying the effectiveness of security controls. Regular reviews and reauthorization of systems are necessary when significant changes are made.
Risk management should also be integrated into the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) to ensure that risks are addressed throughout the life cycle of IT systems. Each phase of the SDLC benefits from specific risk management activities, from initial planning to system disposal.[10]
Effective risk management is fully integrated into the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC). The SDLC typically involves five phases: initiation, development or acquisition, implementation, operation or maintenance, and disposal. Risk management activities remain consistent throughout these phases, ensuring that potential risks are identified, assessed, and mitigated during each stage.[11]
| Initiation | Defines the need for an IT system and its scope | Identified risks support the development of system requirements, including security needs and concept of operations. | |
| Development or Acquisition | System design, purchase, or construction | Risk assessments help guide security decisions during the system's development, influencing architecture and design trade-offs. | |
| Implementation | System is configured, tested, and verified | Risk management ensures that security requirements are met and assessed before system operations begin. | |
| Operation or Maintenance | The system is operational and updated | Continuous risk assessments are performed whenever significant changes occur or at regular intervals for reauthorization. | |
| Disposal | The system is decommissioned | Risks are managed to ensure secure disposal, including data sanitization and system migration where necessary. |
Incorporating security into the SDLC is essential to prevent costly vulnerabilities from emerging later in the system’s life. Early integration of security measures during the initiation and development phases can significantly reduce the cost of mitigating security vulnerabilities. It also enables the reuse of established security strategies and tools, resulting in improved security and cost efficiency.[12]
The following security considerations are integrated into the SDLC:
By incorporating these practices, organizations can ensure that their IT systems are secure from the outset, reducing the likelihood of vulnerabilities and costly security incidents later in the system's life cycle.
Risk management as a methodology has been criticized for its subjectivity, particularly in assessing the value of assets and the likelihood and impact of threats. The probabilistic models often used may oversimplify complex risks. Despite these criticisms, risk management remains an essential tool for managing IT risks.
Various methods support the IT risk management process. Some of the most widely used include:
Various standards provide guidance for IT risk management, including ISO/IEC 27000-series and NIST SP 800-30.