Risk management
A successful risk management plan helps enterprises identify, plan for and mitigate potential risks. Learn about the components of risk management programs, including penetration tests, vulnerability and risk assessments, frameworks, security awareness training and more.
Top Stories
-
Opinion
25 Apr 2025
RSAC 2025 to center on agentic AI, GenAI in security
If AI continues to become more accurate and secure, automation and self-healing systems that strengthen security programs could be the future. Continue Reading
-
Tip
24 Apr 2025
How to incorporate smishing into security awareness training
Smishing is a major threat on enterprise smartphones, but users might not know how it compares to traditional email phishing. IT can help block attacks with training and testing. Continue Reading
-
Tip
27 Oct 2023
How to create a cybersecurity awareness training program
Cybersecurity awareness training often misses the mark, leaving employees undereducated and organizations vulnerable to attack. Here's how to succeed where too many fail. Continue Reading
-
Definition
25 Oct 2023
integrated risk management (IRM)
Integrated risk management (IRM) is a set of proactive, businesswide practices that contribute to an organization's security, risk tolerance profile and strategic decisions. Continue Reading
-
News
24 Oct 2023
JPMorgan Chase CISO explains why he's an 'AI optimist'
Pat Opet, CISO at JPMorgan Chase & Co., discussed how the financial services giant invests in cybersecurity and where generative AI could provide game-changing benefits. Continue Reading
-
Definition
24 Oct 2023
Plundervolt
Plundervolt is the name of an undervolting attack that targeted Intel central processing units (CPUs). Continue Reading
-
Feature
20 Oct 2023
Risk assessment matrix: Free template and usage guide
A risk assessment matrix identifies issues that present the greatest potential for business disruption or damage. Use this free template to focus risk mitigation plans. Continue Reading
-
Feature
18 Oct 2023
7 risk mitigation strategies to protect business operations
Companies facing a multitude of business risks have various options to mitigate them. Here are seven mitigation strategies to minimize the business impact of risks. Continue Reading
-
Definition
17 Oct 2023
speculative risk
Speculative risk is a type of risk the risk-taker takes on voluntarily and will result in some degree of profit or loss. Continue Reading
-
Tip
17 Oct 2023
How to conduct a cyber-resilience assessment
It's a good cyber-hygiene practice to periodically review your organization's cybersecurity plans and procedures. Use this checklist to guide your cyber-resilience assessment. Continue Reading
-
News
16 Oct 2023
Google Authenticator synchronization raises MFA concerns
Infosec experts say a synchronization feature added to Google's Authenticator app could lead to unintended consequences for organizations' multifactor authentication codes. Continue Reading
-
Tip
16 Oct 2023
Build a strong cyber-resilience strategy with existing tools
Existing security protocols and processes can be combined to build a cyber-resilience framework, but understanding how these components relate to each other is key. Continue Reading
-
Tip
13 Oct 2023
Why fourth-party risk management is a must-have
It's not just third-party vendors that pose a security risk. Organizations should also keep an eye on their suppliers' suppliers with a fourth-party risk management strategy. Continue Reading
-
Tip
12 Oct 2023
5 steps to achieve a risk-based security strategy
Learn about the five steps to implement a risk-based security strategy that helps naturally deliver compliance as a consequence of an improved security posture. Continue Reading
-
Definition
12 Oct 2023
security awareness training
Security awareness training is a strategic approach IT and security professionals take to educate employees and stakeholders on the importance of cybersecurity and data privacy. Continue Reading
-
Feature
10 Oct 2023
Security posture management a huge challenge for IT pros
Enterprise Strategy Group's John Oltsik explains why executing security hygiene and posture management at scale remains an uphill battle for organizations, despite automation. Continue Reading
-
Quiz
10 Oct 2023
Security awareness training quiz: Questions and answers
From ransomware to passphrases, find out how much you know about preventing cybersecurity incidents in this security awareness training quiz. Continue Reading
-
Tip
10 Oct 2023
Security log management and logging best practices
Learn how to conduct security log management that provides visibility into IT infrastructure activities and traffic, improves troubleshooting and prevents service disruptions. Continue Reading
-
Tip
10 Oct 2023
Physical pen testing methods and tools
While companies regularly conduct network penetration tests, they may overlook physical office security. Here's how attackers -- with a baseball cap and smartphone -- get in. Continue Reading
-
Definition
05 Oct 2023
risk assessment
Risk assessment is the process of identifying hazards that could negatively affect an organization's ability to conduct business. Continue Reading
-
Feature
05 Oct 2023
13 types of business risks for companies to manage
To avoid business problems and operate effectively, companies need to be ready to deal with these common types of risks as part of their risk management programs. Continue Reading
-
Definition
03 Oct 2023
Whistleblower Protection Act
The Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 is a law that protects federal government employees in the United States from retaliatory action for voluntarily disclosing information about dishonest or illegal activities occurring in a government organization. Continue Reading
-
Tip
03 Oct 2023
Using the FAIR model to quantify cyber-risk
The Factor Analysis of Information Risk methodology helps organizations frame their cyber-risk exposure as a business issue and quantify it in financial terms. Learn how FAIR works. Continue Reading
-
Definition
02 Oct 2023
ISO 31000 Risk Management
The ISO 31000 Risk Management framework is an international standard that provides organizations with guidelines and principles for risk management. Continue Reading
-
Tip
26 Sep 2023
How to use a SWOT analysis for IT disaster recovery planning
A disaster recovery IT SWOT analysis can identify the good and the bad aspects of a DR plan, as well as highlight potential risks and opportunities for improvement. Continue Reading
-
Definition
26 Sep 2023
principle of least privilege (POLP)
The principle of least privilege (POLP) is a concept in computer security that limits users' access rights to only what is strictly required to do their jobs. Continue Reading
-
Tip
26 Sep 2023
3 phases of the third-party risk management lifecycle
Contractors and other third parties can make systems more vulnerable to cyber attacks. The third-party risk management lifecycle helps ensure outside vendors protect your data. Continue Reading
-
Definition
21 Sep 2023
governance, risk and compliance (GRC)
Governance, risk and compliance (GRC) refers to an organization's strategy for handling the interdependencies among the following three components: corporate governance policies, enterprise risk management programs, and regulatory and company compliance. Continue Reading
-
News
20 Sep 2023
Cyber insurance report shows surge in ransomware claims
Coalition's H1 2023 report shows ransomware activity increased and severity reached "historic" highs as businesses lost an average of more than $365,000 following an attack. Continue Reading
-
Definition
19 Sep 2023
total risk
Total risk is an assessment that identifies all the risk factors associated with pursuing a specific course of action. Continue Reading
-
Definition
18 Sep 2023
electronically stored information (ESI)
Electronically stored information (ESI) is data that is created, altered, communicated and stored in digital form. Continue Reading
-
News
14 Sep 2023
Palo Alto Networks: 80% of security exposures exist in cloud
It's no surprise that organizations struggle with cloud security, but a new report reveals an alarming split between cloud and on-premise security exposures. Continue Reading
-
Tip
11 Sep 2023
How to develop a cloud backup ransomware protection strategy
Deploying cloud backups for ransomware protection has become a common security strategy. Here's how to properly vet cloud storage vendors to ensure backups stay secure. Continue Reading
-
Tip
08 Sep 2023
Risk prediction models: How they work and their benefits
Accurate risk prediction models can aid risk management efforts in organizations. Here's a look at how risk models work and the business benefits they provide. Continue Reading
-
Definition
05 Sep 2023
email security
Email security is the process of ensuring the availability, integrity and authenticity of email communications by protecting against unauthorized access and email threats. Continue Reading
-
Definition
30 Aug 2023
three lines model
The three lines model is a risk management approach to help organizations identify and manage risks effectively by creating three distinct lines of defense. Continue Reading
-
Guest Post
30 Aug 2023
SEC cyber attack regulations prompt 10 questions for CISOs
New SEC regulations governing the disclosure of cyber attacks by public companies lead to 10 questions board members should ask their CISOs about managing cyber-risk. Continue Reading
-
Definition
29 Aug 2023
IT audit (information technology audit)
An IT audit is the examination and evaluation of an organization's information technology, operations and controls. Continue Reading
-
Tip
29 Aug 2023
The CIO's role in strengthening cybersecurity
To effectively tackle security risks, organizations should proactively address the complexities of information security. Learn how CIOs can play a key role in cybersecurity. Continue Reading
-
News
23 Aug 2023
Google launches AI-powered data classification for Workspace
Available now in preview, the new capability can automatically label files across a customer's Drive environment to protect data from exposure and exfiltration. Continue Reading
-
News
21 Aug 2023
Vendors criticize Microsoft for repeated security failings
Microsoft is facing frustration for numerous security issues, including problematic transparency, numerous patch bypasses and inconsistent communication practices. Continue Reading
-
Definition
21 Aug 2023
risk analysis
Risk analysis is the process of identifying and analyzing potential issues that could negatively impact key business initiatives or projects. Continue Reading
-
Feature
16 Aug 2023
Adopt embedded penetration testing to keep IoT devices secure
Regular embedded penetration testing can help discover vulnerabilities before attackers do. The author of 'Practical Hardware Pentesting' explains. Continue Reading
-
Feature
16 Aug 2023
Top 12 risk management skills and why you need them
Effective risk management is necessary in all parts of a business. Here are a dozen skills that risk managers need to be successful in their jobs. Continue Reading
-
Tip
16 Aug 2023
6 open source GRC tools compliance professionals should know
Organizations must meet a variety of regulatory compliance requirements today. Here's a look at six open source GRC tools and related resources that might help. Continue Reading
-
Tip
15 Aug 2023
Top 4 information security strategy essentials CIOs need
Right now, hackers are targeting your organization. Fight back by learning how CIOs can create a resilient and strong information security foundation. Continue Reading
-
Feature
15 Aug 2023
ISO 31000 vs. COSO: Comparing risk management standards
ISO 31000 and the COSO ERM framework are the two most popular risk management standards. Here's what they include and some of their similarities and differences. Continue Reading
-
Feature
11 Aug 2023
Traditional vs. enterprise risk management: How do they differ?
Traditional risk management and enterprise risk management are similar in their aim to mitigate risks that can harm a company. But there are differences between them. Continue Reading
-
News
10 Aug 2023
CISA shares 'secure by design' plan for US tech ecosystem
The cyber agency plans to establish secure-by-design principles through internal and external communications, data collection and education for the next generation. Continue Reading
-
News
10 Aug 2023
U.S., Ukraine cyber leaders talk resilience, collaboration
At Black Hat 2023, CISA's Jen Easterly and Ukraine's Victor Zhora discuss cyber resilience and security hardening in the face of destructive cyber campaigns. Continue Reading
-
Feature
10 Aug 2023
Why using ransomware negotiation services is worth a try
If stakeholders decide to pay ransom demands, using a ransomware negotiation service could improve the situation's outcome and lower the payout. Continue Reading
-
News
09 Aug 2023
Coalition looks to bridge gap between CISOs, cyber insurance
While carriers and CISOs agree cyber insurance has contributed to better security postures, Coalition said the relationship needs to stronger as threat evolve and intensify. Continue Reading
-
Definition
09 Aug 2023
crisis management
Crisis management is the application of strategies designed to help an organization deal with a sudden and significant negative event, while maintaining business continuity. Continue Reading
-
Tip
07 Aug 2023
How to manage generative AI security risks in the enterprise
Despite its benefits, generative AI poses numerous -- and potentially costly -- security challenges for companies. Review possible threats and best practices to mitigate risks. Continue Reading
-
Feature
07 Aug 2023
Enterprise risk management team: Roles and responsibilities
Every facet of business operations is exposed to risks, requiring a risk management team that's composed of a diverse mix of corporate executives and managers. Continue Reading
-
Feature
04 Aug 2023
9 common risk management failures and how to avoid them
As enterprises rework their business models and strategies to meet various new challenges, risks abound. Here are nine risk management failures to look out for. Continue Reading
-
Feature
03 Aug 2023
Risk appetite vs. risk tolerance: How are they different?
Risk appetite and risk tolerance are related terms but not the same thing. Here's how they differ plus examples of risk appetite and risk tolerance statements. Continue Reading
-
Feature
01 Aug 2023
Infosec experts divided on SEC four-day reporting rule
Professionals in the cybersecurity industry voiced concerns and praises of new incident disclosure rules that allow companies four days to report a "material" cyber attack. Continue Reading
-
Guest Post
28 Jul 2023
Intersection of generative AI, cybersecurity and digital trust
The popularity of generative AI has skyrocketed in recent months. Its benefits, however, are being met with cybersecurity, digital trust and legal challenges. Continue Reading
-
Feature
26 Jul 2023
Explaining risk maturity models and how they work
Explore risk maturity models and assessment tools for enhancing enterprise risk management. Improve ERM programs to mitigate risk and gain a competitive edge. Continue Reading
-
News
20 Jul 2023
Cyber insurers adapting to data-centric ransomware threats
Cyber insurance carriers and infosec vendors weigh in on how the shift in ransomware tactics is affecting policies and coverage, presenting challenges for enterprises. Continue Reading
-
Feature
10 Jul 2023
Wi-Fi AP placement best practices and security policies
From a security standpoint, Wi-Fi network designers should consider the physical and logical placement of APs, as well as management, segmentation and rogue devices. Continue Reading
-
Feature
10 Jul 2023
Get started: Threat modeling with the Mitre ATT&CK framework
The Mitre ATT&CK framework may seem daunting at first, but it is a key tool that helps SOC teams conduct threat modeling. Learn how to get started. Continue Reading
-
Definition
07 Jul 2023
ransomware as a service (RaaS)
Ransomware as a service (RaaS) is a subscription-based business model that enables affiliates to launch ransomware attacks by accessing and using pre-developed ransomware tools. Continue Reading
-
Tip
07 Jul 2023
Enterprise risk management should inform cyber-risk strategies
Cyber-risk doesn't exist in a vacuum. By understanding the broader enterprise risk management landscape, CISOs can make decisions that best serve the business. Continue Reading
-
Definition
05 Jul 2023
Dodd-Frank Act
The Dodd-Frank Act (fully known as the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act) is a United States federal law that places regulation of the financial industry in the hands of the government. Continue Reading
-
Tip
19 Jun 2023
Cyber-risk quantification benefits and best practices
It's not enough to know cybersecurity threats exist. More importantly, companies must understand cyber-risks in ways stakeholders can measure and discuss. Continue Reading
-
Tip
12 Jun 2023
Benefits of risk-based vulnerability management over legacy VM
Risk-based vulnerability management not only offers a proactive way to identify vulnerable assets, but it also helps prevent alert fatigue and improve patch prioritization. Continue Reading
-
Feature
19 May 2023
The potential danger of the new Google .zip top-level domain
How much should the average end user be concerned about the new .zip and .mov TLDs? They aren't as bad as some make them out to be, but it's still worth doing something about them. Continue Reading
-
News
16 May 2023
Coalition: Employee actions are driving cyber insurance claims
After analyzing cyber insurance claims data, Coalition determined that phishing escalated in 2022, ransomware dropped and timely patching remained a consistent problem. Continue Reading
-
Definition
12 May 2023
Generally Accepted Recordkeeping Principles (the Principles)
Generally Accepted Recordkeeping Principles is a framework for managing records in a way that supports an organization's immediate and future regulatory, legal, risk mitigation, environmental and operational requirements. Continue Reading
-
Tip
10 May 2023
How to reduce risk with cloud attack surface management
Attack surfaces continue to expand, fueled in part by the cloud. Attack surface management is a key way to identify vulnerable assets and reduce the risk to a corporate network. Continue Reading
-
Feature
03 May 2023
Studies show ransomware has already caused patient deaths
No patient deaths have been definitively attributed to cyber attacks on hospitals, but some infosec experts say that statistical evidence shows a different, grim reality. Continue Reading
-
Definition
01 May 2023
compliance framework
A compliance framework is a structured set of guidelines that details an organization's processes for maintaining accordance with established regulations, specifications or legislation. Continue Reading
-
News
26 Apr 2023
CISA aims to reduce email threats with serial CDR prototype
CISA officials at RSA Conference 2023 showed off a prototype designed to measure the risk of suspicious files and remove them from email and web services. Continue Reading
-
News
26 Apr 2023
How ransomware victims can make the best of a bad situation
At RSA Conference 2023, Mandiant's Jibran Ilyas provided tips for ransomware victims that decide to pay, including a list of counterdemands to make to the threat actors. Continue Reading
-
News
25 Apr 2023
RSAC panel warns AI poses unintended security consequences
A panel of experts at RSA conference 2023 warned of hallucinations and inherent biases but also said generative AI can assist in incident response and other security needs. Continue Reading
-
News
25 Apr 2023
RSAC speaker offers ransomware victims unconventional advice
Triton Tech Consulting CEO Brandon Clark advised organizations to set aside the stigma of 'negotiating with terrorists' when deciding whether to pay a ransomware gang. Continue Reading
-
Tip
17 Apr 2023
How to build a cybersecurity deception program
In 'The Art of War,' Sun Tzu declared, 'All warfare is based on deception.' Learn how to apply this principle in the enterprise by building a cybersecurity deception program. Continue Reading
-
Guest Post
14 Apr 2023
Pen testing amid the rise of AI-powered threat actors
The importance of pen testing continues to increase in the era of AI-powered attacks, along with red teaming, risk prioritization and well-defined goals for security teams. Continue Reading
-
Tip
07 Apr 2023
5 ChatGPT security risks in the enterprise
Whether in the hands of cybercriminals or oblivious end users, ChatGPT introduces new security risks. Continue Reading
-
Opinion
06 Apr 2023
Top RSA Conference 2023 trends and topics
Enterprise Strategy Group's Jack Poller outlines his picks for getting the most out of the 2023 RSA Conference, from keynotes to startups, AI, innovation and more. Continue Reading
-
Definition
05 Apr 2023
post-quantum cryptography
Post-quantum cryptography, also known as quantum encryption, is the development of cryptographic systems for classical computers that can prevent attacks launched by quantum computers. Continue Reading
-
Feature
03 Apr 2023
Why medical device vulnerabilities are hard to prioritize
Vulnerabilities in critical medical devices could lead to loss of life. But opinions are mixed on how serious the risk is to patient safety and how best to address the flaws. Continue Reading
-
Tip
29 Mar 2023
Vulnerability management vs. risk management, compared
Vulnerability management seeks out security weaknesses in an organization, while risk management involves looking holistically at how the company is running. Continue Reading
-
Definition
28 Mar 2023
Sarbanes-Oxley Act
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 is a federal law that established sweeping auditing and financial regulations for public companies. Continue Reading
-
Tip
24 Mar 2023
Use zero-trust data management to better protect backups
Backup admins looking to protect data from bad actors can implement a zero-trust strategy for added protection. However, the method is not without its downsides. Continue Reading
-
News
22 Mar 2023
Cyber insurance carriers expanding role in incident response
While cyber insurance has its benefits, infosec professionals expressed concern that carriers have too much influence over incident response decisions, especially with ransomware. Continue Reading
-
Definition
07 Mar 2023
fuzz testing (fuzzing)
Fuzz testing (fuzzing) is a quality assurance technique used to discover coding errors or bugs and security loopholes in software, operating systems and networks. Continue Reading
-
Tip
16 Feb 2023
Web 3.0 security risks: What you need to know
Elements of the third version of the web are coming to fruition. But Web 3.0 also comes with new cybersecurity, financial and privacy threats besides the familiar risks of Web 2.0. Continue Reading
-
Definition
14 Feb 2023
social media policy
A social media policy is a corporate code of conduct that provides guidelines for employees who post content on the internet either as part of their job or as a private person. Continue Reading
-
Guest Post
18 Jan 2023
How to build a cyber-resilience culture in the enterprise
Discover how organizations can build a culture of cyber resilience by reducing risk, limiting damage, having a disaster recovery plan and assuming a cyber attack is coming. Continue Reading
-
News
11 Jan 2023
Vulnerable software, low incident reporting raises risks
Beneath the buzz around tech innovations at CES were discussions about cybersecurity and how to prevent the next generation of tech from being just as vulnerable as the last. Continue Reading
-
News
10 Jan 2023
BitSight, Schneider Electric partner to quantify OT risk
The new partnership aims to provide organizations with increased visibility and risk detection capabilities for operational technology environments and critical infrastructure. Continue Reading
-
Feature
19 Dec 2022
11 cybersecurity predictions for 2023
Analysts and experts have looked into their crystal balls and made their cybersecurity predictions for 2023. Is your organization prepared if these predictions come true? Continue Reading
-
News
02 Dec 2022
Experts argue 'sludge' could muck up cyber attacks
Network defenders can supplement their security postures with additional settings and policies that frustrate and discourage attackers, according to a new research paper. Continue Reading
-
Definition
18 Nov 2022
pen testing (penetration testing)
A penetration test, also called a pen test or ethical hacking, is a cybersecurity technique that organizations use to identify, test and highlight vulnerabilities in their security posture. Continue Reading
-
Guest Post
17 Nov 2022
Do companies need cyber insurance?
As cyber insurance costs rise, companies must determine whether they truly need cyber insurance to tackle their increased risk of cyber attacks. Continue Reading
-
News
10 Nov 2022
Flashpoint launches new 'ransomware prediction model'
Flashpoint's new model assigns a 'ransomware likelihood' rating for vulnerabilities contained in the VulnDB database, which contains more than 300,000 flaws. Continue Reading
-
Tip
01 Nov 2022
Ideal CISO reporting structure is to high-level business leaders
CISOs usually report to a high-level executive, but reporting to a top-level business executive like the CEO rather than a technology executive protects the business best. Continue Reading
-
Feature
28 Oct 2022
Enterprise ransomware preparedness improving but still lacking
An Enterprise Strategy Group survey found enterprises are making strides in ransomware preparedness, but work remains to prevent and mitigate attacks. Continue Reading
-
Tip
25 Oct 2022
Top security-by-design frameworks
Following a security-by-design framework, or designing one specific to your company, is key to implanting security into every step of the software development lifecycle. Continue Reading