It goes without saying that security threats have evolved dramatically in the digital age. No longer being confined to the likes of weak passwords and outdated antivirus programmes, the modern landscape is far more complex and involves a blend of online vulnerabilities with behavioral, social and reputation elements.
As these threats continue to shift and grow, so too does the need for better information security risk assessment through information security solutions.
Any modern information security risk assessment begins with a fundamental query: what matters most to the business in question?
More often than not, an organization will start with a checklist of technical vulnerabilities within their systems, but a smarter approach should first identify the following:
• What data is most damaging or critical if it gets compromised?
• Which operations cannot afford to be disrupted under any circumstance?
• Which processes rely on different systems that could be vulnerable to interdependent weaknesses?
This kind of information security assessment approach is about much more than simply finding the flaws, it also provides an understanding of any real-world consequences felt by potential breaches. Systems need to be ranked in order of their impact on the business, not just their technical make up. What this means is paying more attention to a customer support platform than a development sandbox, especially if the former handles any sensitive information like customer payment data.
In placing business priorities first, an information security assessment process becomes about more than just IT, it becomes an invaluable strategic asset.
Modern information security risks assessments need to recognize that not every potential threat will show up in code. More traditional security dashboards are effective in flagging things like malware signatures and login anomalies, but they often struggle with the likes of:
• Targeted campaigns of influence.
• Social engineering tactics that are more sophisticated than phishing.
• Narrative distortion that can affect the trust of a customer base.
• Insider actions that are driven by manipulation or discontent.
Such examples of human interference don’t always generate alerts, but can still cause huge damage. Any public statements from senior executives that are misrepresented, or any product that falls victim to a coordinated discrediting attack, can be just as damaging to a brand as a classic data breach.
It is in these situations where risk assessment in information security needs to have a far expanded scope. A more comprehensive approach will include:
1. Monitoring external narratives and conversations alongside mere network traffic.
2. Making evaluations on how public perception might impact internal operations.
3. Reviewing how certain sensitive data could be used as leverage instead of being stolen outright.
In this light, a thorough information security risk analysis does more than identify software weaknesses, it also addresses visibility on both psychological and digital fronts.
Traditional risk assessment for information security will involve sorting threats into specific categories such physical, technical or personnel, but the truth is that the most damaging threats are currently those that blur the lines.
For example, imagine a coordinated campaign that sets about spreading false allegations against an executive, triggering internal dissent through potentially doctored email, and ultimately leading to overall shareholder concern. Would this be classed as a cybersecurity breach, a PR issue or operational disruption? The answer is a combination of all three.
This is exactly why modern information security assessments need to account for all types of hybrid threats:
• Narrative attacks that seek to target the public image of a company.
• Coordinated influence operations that aim to stir internal discontent.
• The exploitation of legitimate and important information in order to destabilise and/or mislead.
When new threats don’t fit neatly into traditional frameworks, a more expanded approach is required with cross-functional collaboration. Risk assessments that solely focus on software patches and firewalls are always going to miss a significant portion of today’s threat catalogue.
In order to track these more complex threats, organizations need to utilize software for risk managers that stretches beyond traditional security, with solutions that can:
• Detect not only the unusual activity but also the reputational ripple effects that follow.
• Bring together external monitoring with internal diagnostics.
• Offer real-time insights into any emerging threats, both behavioral and technical.
In this regard, Osavul’s information security risk assessment tool suite is specifically designed with the above in mind. The tools can help organizations to map out a complete spectrum of digital risks ranging from internal vulnerabilities to influence activity. It is a platform that truly connects the dots that other systems might miss, therefore offering strategy teams a clear landscape in which to work.
This is particularly essential when dealing with different systems across multiple departments. Whereas marketing may see one version of a problem, IT could see another. The power of Osavul is the unification of these perspectives for a more cohesive experience.
Language that is designed to elicit responses such as sympathy, anger, hope, fear and more.Too many assessments can lead to an overwhelming heatmap, but this does not dilute the fact that static reporting isn’t sufficient in the modern landscape. A state of the art information security risk assessment must lead to direct action.
An effective response plan should include the following:
Who is leading the response? Who is going to communicate externally? Who is going to conduct a full post-incident review?
What blindspots have been identified? Are teams under-resourced? Are systems being left unmonitored?
How often is the risk assessment information security strategy being refreshed or reviewed in-house?
Essentially, a strong information risk assessment can turn insights into practical steps that can reduce uncertainty and increase preparedness. This will lead to a shorter recovery time
Define all levels of severity from least to most.
Define who needs to be informed and when, both internally and externally.
Understand how to limit spread, in both a digital and narrative capacity.
Solidify benchmark goals for stages of restoring operations.
Establish feedback avenues in order to improve future assessments.
Ultimately, effective modern risk assessment in information security requires more than just simple compliance box ticking.
Utilizing a tool suite like that offered by Osavul is the best way to track digital threats in real-time, helping organizations to transfer from reactive to proactive with ease.
Information security risk assessment should no longer be regarded as a security requirement, but as a real way to gain a competitive advantage.
