Scenario 1
The risk assessment process was led by Henry, Bontton's risk manager. The first step that Henry took was identifying the company's assets. Afterward, Henry created various potential incident scenarios. One of the main concerns regarding the use of the application was the possibility of being targeted by cyber attackers, as a great number of organizations were experiencing cyberattacks during that time. After analyzing the identified risks, Henry evaluated them and concluded that new controls must be implemented if the company wants to use the application. Among others, he stated that training should be provided to personnel regarding the use of the application and that awareness sessions should be conducted regarding the importance of protecting customers' personal data.
Lastly, Henry communicated the risk assessment results to the top management. They decided that the application will be used only after treating the identified risks.
Henry concluded that one of the main concerns regarding the use of the application for online ordering was cyberattacks. What did Henry identify in this case? Refer to scenario 1.\
In this scenario, Henry identifies 'cyberattacks' as one of the main concerns related to the use of the application for online ordering. According to ISO/IEC 27005, a 'threat' is any potential cause of an unwanted incident that may result in harm to a system or organization. In this context, cyberattacks are considered a threat because they represent a potential cause that could compromise the security of the application. Henry's identification of cyberattacks as a primary concern aligns with recognizing a specific threat that could exploit vulnerabilities within the system.
ISO/IEC 27005:2018, Clause 8.3, 'Threat identification,' which provides guidance on identifying threats that could affect the organization's information assets.
ISO/IEC 27001:2013, Clause 6.1.2, 'Information Security Risk Assessment,' where identifying threats is part of the risk assessment process.
These answers are verified based on the standards' definitions and guidelines, providing a comprehensive understanding of how ISO/IEC 27005 is used within the context of ISO/IEC 27001.
Scenario 3: Printary is an American company that offers digital printing services. Creating cost-effective and creative products, the company has been part of the printing industry for more than 30 years. Three years ago, the company started to operate online, providing greater flexibility for its clients. Through the website, clients could find information about all services offered by Printary and order personalized products. However, operating online increased the risk of cyber threats, consequently, impacting the business functions of the company. Thus, along with the decision of creating an online business, the company focused on managing information security risks. Their risk management program was established based on ISO/IEC 27005 guidelines and industry best practices.
Last year, the company considered the integration of an online payment system on its website in order to provide more flexibility and transparency to customers. Printary analyzed various available solutions and selected Pay0, a payment processing solution that allows any company to easily collect payments on their website. Before making the decision, Printary conducted a risk assessment to identify and analyze information security risks associated with the software. The risk assessment process involved three phases: identification, analysis, and evaluation. During risk identification, the company inspected assets, threats, and vulnerabilities. In addition, to identify the information security risks, Printary used a list of the identified events that could negatively affect the achievement of information security objectives. The risk identification phase highlighted two main threats associated with the online payment system: error in use and data corruption After conducting a gap analysis, the company concluded that the existing security controls were sufficient to mitigate the threat of data corruption. However, the user interface of the payment solution was complicated, which could increase the risk associated with user errors, and, as a result, impact data integrity and confidentiality.
Subsequently, the risk identification results were analyzed. The company conducted risk analysis in order to understand the nature of the identified risks. They decided to use a quantitative risk analysis methodology because it would provide more detailed information. The selected risk analysis methodology was consistent with the risk evaluation criteri
a. Firstly, they used a list of potential incident scenarios to assess their potential impact. In addition, the likelihood of incident scenarios was defined and assessed. Finally, the level of risk was defined as low.
In the end, the level of risk was compared to the risk evaluation and acceptance criteria and was prioritized accordingly.
Based on scenario 3, Printary used a list of identified events that could negatively influence the achievement of its information security objectives to identify information security risks. Is this in compliance with the guidelines of ISO/IEC 27005?
According to ISO/IEC 27005, identifying risks to information security involves recognizing events that could adversely affect the achievement of information security objectives. Using a list of events that could negatively impact these objectives is consistent with the risk identification process as outlined in ISO/IEC 27005. This approach focuses on identifying specific incidents or events that could result in security breaches or compromises, providing a clear understanding of the potential risks to the organization. Thus, Printary's use of a list of such events to identify information security risks complies with the standard's guidelines, making option B the correct answer.
ISO/IEC 27005:2018, Clause 8.2, 'Risk Identification,' which states that the organization should identify the events that could compromise information security objectives.
Scenario 5: Detika is a private cardiology clinic in Pennsylvania, the US. Detika has one of the most advanced healthcare systems for treating heart diseases. The clinic uses sophisticated apparatus that detects heart diseases in early stages. Since 2010, medical information of Detika's patients is stored on the organization's digital systems. Electronic health records (EHR), among others, include patients' diagnosis, treatment plan, and laboratory results.
Storing and accessing patient and other medical data digitally was a huge and a risky step for Detik
a. Considering the sensitivity of information stored in their systems, Detika conducts regular risk assessments to ensure that all information security risks are identified and managed. Last month, Detika conducted a risk assessment which was focused on the EHR system. During risk identification, the IT team found out that some employees were not updating the operating systems regularly. This could cause major problems such as a data breach or loss of software compatibility. In addition, the IT team tested the software and detected a flaw in one of the software modules used. Both issues were reported to the top management and they decided to implement appropriate controls for treating the identified risks. They decided to organize training sessions for all employees in order to make them aware of the importance of the system updates. In addition, the manager of the IT Department was appointed as the person responsible for ensuring that the software is regularly tested.
Another risk identified during the risk assessment was the risk of a potential ransomware attack. This risk was defined as low because all their data was backed up daily. The IT team decided to accept the actual risk of ransomware attacks and concluded that additional measures were not required. This decision was documented in the risk treatment plan and communicated to the risk owner. The risk owner approved the risk treatment plan and documented the risk assessment results.
Following that, Detika initiated the implementation of new controls. In addition, one of the employees of the IT Department was assigned the responsibility for monitoring the implementation process and ensure the effectiveness of the security controls. The IT team, on the other hand, was responsible for allocating the resources needed to effectively implement the new controls.
How should Detika define which of the identified risks should be treated first? Refer to scenario 5.
Detika should prioritize the treatment of identified risks based on their priority in the risk treatment plan. According to ISO/IEC 27005, the risk treatment plan specifies the order in which risks should be treated based on their severity, likelihood, and impact on the organization. Risks that pose the greatest threat to the organization or have the highest priority should be treated first. Options B and C are incorrect because allocating resources or determining accountability do not inherently establish the priority of risk treatment; the risk treatment plan does.
Scenario 3: Printary is an American company that offers digital printing services. Creating cost-effective and creative products, the company has been part of the printing industry for more than 30 years. Three years ago, the company started to operate online, providing greater flexibility for its clients. Through the website, clients could find information about all services offered by Printary and order personalized products. However, operating online increased the risk of cyber threats, consequently, impacting the business functions of the company. Thus, along with the decision of creating an online business, the company focused on managing information security risks. Their risk management program was established based on ISO/IEC 27005 guidelines and industry best practices.
Last year, the company considered the integration of an online payment system on its website in order to provide more flexibility and transparency to customers. Printary analyzed various available solutions and selected Pay0, a payment processing solution that allows any company to easily collect payments on their website. Before making the decision, Printary conducted a risk assessment to identify and analyze information security risks associated with the software. The risk assessment process involved three phases: identification, analysis, and evaluation. During risk identification, the company inspected assets, threats, and vulnerabilities. In addition, to identify the information security risks, Printary used a list of the identified events that could negatively affect the achievement of information security objectives. The risk identification phase highlighted two main threats associated with the online payment system: error in use and data corruption After conducting a gap analysis, the company concluded that the existing security controls were sufficient to mitigate the threat of data corruption. However, the user interface of the payment solution was complicated, which could increase the risk associated with user errors, and, as a result, impact data integrity and confidentiality.
Subsequently, the risk identification results were analyzed. The company conducted risk analysis in order to understand the nature of the identified risks. They decided to use a quantitative risk analysis methodology because it would provide more detailed information. The selected risk analysis methodology was consistent with the risk evaluation criteri
a. Firstly, they used a list of potential incident scenarios to assess their potential impact. In addition, the likelihood of incident scenarios was defined and assessed. Finally, the level of risk was defined as low.
In the end, the level of risk was compared to the risk evaluation and acceptance criteria and was prioritized accordingly.
Based on the scenario above, answer the following question:
What type of risk identification approach did Printary use?
An event-based approach to risk identification focuses on identifying events that could negatively affect the achievement of the organization's objectives. In the scenario, Printary used a list of identified events (e.g., errors in use and data corruption) that could negatively impact their information security objectives. This indicates that they considered specific events that might lead to information security incidents, which is characteristic of an event-based approach. Option B is correct because it aligns with the method described in the scenario. Option A (Asset-based approach) focuses on identifying risks based on assets, while Option C (Threat-based approach) focuses on threats rather than specific events, making them both incorrect in this context.
According to CRAMM methodology, how is risk assessment initiated?
According to the CRAMM (CCTA Risk Analysis and Management Method) methodology, risk assessment begins by collecting detailed information on the system and identifying all assets that fall within the defined scope. This foundational step ensures that the assessment is comprehensive and includes all relevant assets, which could be potential targets for risk. This makes option A the correct answer.