Project Overview

I managed the conduct of a risk analysis enabling the managing cybersecurity threats in respect with its business objective. This was done by conducting a formal risk analysis based on EBIOS methodology and completed with an external audit of the digital assets.

Project Planning and Preparation

• Objective Definition : The objective was to map the threat landscape to the critical assets in order to equalize the protection levels.

• Stakeholder Engagement : Board of directors, business managers and global risk manager where involved in the project definition. 

• Requirements Gathering : The scope definition and the time objectives where defined as project requirements.

• Service Provider Selection : The provider was selected in regards of it’s certification, capacity, and deliverable formats.

• Budget and Resources : Estimate costs for audits was evaluated to enter in the annual allowed budget. Manager interviews, and ressources required for audits were secured before initiating the project.

Scope of Work

• Cybersecurity policies : Current cybersecurity policies and practices where reviewed as input for the audits and in concordance with business objectives.

• Risk analysis : Risks where formally identified through EBIOS methodology.

• Risk register : A cybersecurity risk register was developed and allowed to prioritize identified risks.

• Vulnerability assessments : Vulnerability assessments and penetration testing where provided by the selected provider.

• Recommandations : strategic recommendations for risk mitigation where provided in the light of the internal risk analysis and the external audit results.

Deliverables

• Risk register : A living register to store present and future cybersecurity risk.

• Risk Assessment Report : Summary of identified risks and recommended mitigation strategies.

• Vulnerability Report : Documentation of identified vulnerability and suggested remediation.

• Continuous improvement strategy : Validated risk analysis and audit strategy with detailed scope and schedule, allowing continuous improvement and ISO 27001 certification.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Comprehensive Cybersecurity Risk Analysis has provided a thorough evaluation of the current security posture, identifying key vulnerabilities and potential threats. By understanding these risks, the customer is better positioned to implement targeted strategies and enhance defenses. Ongoing vigilance and proactive measures will be crucial in safeguarding assets and ensuring long-term resilience against evolving cyber threats.

Generality of this type of project

Key Considerations

• Scope and Objectives : Clearly define the scope of the audit (e.g., locality, department, business processes) and align it with business objectives. This ensures the focus is on critical areas with the highest impact.

• Regulatory and Compliance Requirements : Ensure that the audit considers all relevant regulations and industry standards (e.g., GDPR, PCI-DSS, ISO 27001) to allow synergy with certification and compliance applications.

Potential Challenges

• Limited Stakeholder Engagement : Lack of active involvement from key stakeholders can lead to missing critical insights or lack of ressource availability. This can affect the accuracy of the analysis and the relevance of audit findings.

• Assets Inventory Inaccuracy or Incompleteness : Inconsistent or outdated inventory on IT assets, processes, and controls may hinder the identification of vulnerabilities and risks, leading to inaccurate conclusions.

• Resource Constraints : Insufficient time, budget, or skilled personnel can delay the project or reduce its effectiveness. It can also limit the ability to conduct a comprehensive assessment and implement necessary risk mitigation strategies.