Risk modification is one of the four risk treatment options defined by ISO/IEC 27001, which involves applying controls to reduce the likelihood and/or impact of the risk. By requiring its employees to change their email passwords at least once every 60 days, Company A has implemented a risk modification option to reduce the risk of unauthorized access to its email accounts. Changing passwords frequently can make it harder for attackers to guess or crack the passwords, and can limit the damage if a password is compromised.
The other three risk treatment options are:
Risk avoidance: This option involves eliminating the risk source or discontinuing the activity that causes the risk. For example, Company A could avoid the risk of email compromise by not using email at all, but this would also mean losing the benefits of email communication.
Risk retention: This option involves accepting the risk and its consequences, either because the risk is too low to justify any treatment, or because the cost of treatment is too high compared to the potential loss. For example, Company A could retain the risk of email compromise by not implementing any security measures, but this would expose the company to potential breaches and reputational damage.
Risk transfer: This option involves sharing or transferring the risk to a third party, such as an insurer, a supplier, or a partner. For example, Company A could transfer the risk of email compromise by outsourcing its email service to a cloud provider, who would be responsible for the security and availability of the email accounts.
ISO/IEC 27001:2013, clause 6.1.3: Information security risk treatment
ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Implementer Course, Module 4: Planning the ISMS based on ISO/IEC 27001
ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Implementer Course, Module 6: Implementing the ISMS based on ISO/IEC 27001
ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Implementer Course, Module 7: Performance evaluation, monitoring and measurement of the ISMS based on ISO/IEC 27001
ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Implementer Course, Module 8: Continual improvement of the ISMS based on ISO/IEC 27001
ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Implementer Course, Module 9: Preparing for the ISMS certification audit
ISO 27001 Risk Assessment & Risk Treatment: The Complete Guide - Advisera1
Infosec Risk Treatment for ISO 27001 Requirement 8.3 - ISMS.online2
ISO 27001 Clause 6.1.3 Information security risk treatment3
ISO 27001 Risk Treatment Plan - Scrut Automation4
