How do you conduct a cybersecurity assessment?
An effective cybersecurity assessment may vary from one organization to the next given their industry or the regulatory requirements specific to their geographic location, but the foundation remains the same.
- Evaluate the scope of the assessment
Identify all assets that will be evaluated in order to determine the full scope of the cybersecurity assessment. It may be beneficial to start by limiting your scope to one type of asset at a time rather than all at once. Once you’ve chosen an asset type, determine any other assets, devices, or information that it touches. This will ensure you’re getting a comprehensive look at your entire network.
2. Determine each asset’s value
Once you’ve identified what assets will be included in the assessment, you must determine the value of each asset. It’s important to consider that the true value of an asset may extend beyond its cost. During the assessment process, your team needs to consider intangible factors and the qualitative risks associated with each asset.
3. Identify cybersecurity risks
The next step in a cybersecurity assessment is to identify cybersecurity risks so you can calculate the likelihood of various loss scenarios for future decision-making. Consider situations where the asset could be exploited, the likelihood of exploitation, and the total impact that exploit could have on your organization. This is a critical step in ensuring that your organization is successfully meeting any cybersecurity compliance requirements required of your industry.
4. Compare the value of the asset with the cost of prevention
After the value of an asset has been determined, you must compare it with the cost of protecting it. Identify various loss scenarios to determine if the cost of preventing such incidents is more than the asset is worth, then it’s likely worth it to consider an alternative control or prevention method that makes more financial sense.
5. Establish and continuously monitor security controls
Once your organization has identified and analyzed critical assets and vulnerabilities within its network, the next step is to implement security measures that can continuously monitor its cybersecurity. This will ensure that the controls that have been put in place are meeting organizational requirements and protecting important information on an ongoing basis.
