A risk and control framework is a set of principles, processes, and tools that guide an organization in identifying, assessing, managing, and monitoring the risks and controls that affect its objectives and performance. A risk and control framework helps an organization to align its risk appetite and tolerance with its strategy, culture, and values, and to ensure that its security controls are appropriate, effective, and efficient1.
Re-evaluating the organization’s risk and control framework is the best recommendation to management because it can help them to:
Review the current risk environment and the sources, causes, and impacts of potential threats and vulnerabilities.
Update the risk assessment and analysis methods and criteria, such as likelihood, impact, severity, and priority.
Reconsider the risk response and treatment options, such as avoidance, reduction, transfer, or acceptance.
Realign the security controls with the risk profile and the business needs and expectations.
Evaluate the performance and effectiveness of the security controls using key indicators and metrics.
Identify the gaps, weaknesses, or inefficiencies in the security controls and implement corrective or improvement actions.
Communicate and report the risk and control status and results to relevant stakeholders.
Re-evaluating the organization’s risk and control framework can help management to determine whether the current security controls are excessive or not, and to make informed and rational decisions on how to adjust them accordingly.