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A security risk analysis is a must-have when it comes to cyber security. It is a crucial part of the risk management process. It is one of the first steps a company must take to secure its business and assets online.
A security risk analysis maps out your company’s risks, threats, and vulnerabilities. It also helps you develop solutions and plans to mitigate the risks. It’s an ongoing process and needs to be done regularly.
But some organizations consider a security risk analysis unimportant or a one-time thing. So, as a result, they don’t do it at all or don’t do it periodically.
Security risk analysis is a complex process, and it is not without its own set of myths and misconceptions. This article looks at the top 8 myths that surround security risk analysis.
8 Myths Surrounding Security Risk Assessment
Myth 1: I’ve done risk analysis for HIPAA before, so I don’t have to do it again.
There is a lot of confusion and misunderstanding around risk analysis and the security risk assessment required by HIPAA. A security risk analysis is a different type of risk assessment than a HIPAA risk analysis.
Risk analysis is a tool that helps you identify the potential threats and vulnerabilities of your systems and data. Then you use risk management to create a plan to reduce your risk. The plan is also known as a risk mitigation plan.
The security risk analysis focuses on the security of the systems and data you have. It’s not just a policy document; it’s an action plan. A risk assessment is what the organization or entity must conduct to determine if electronically protected health information (ePHI) has been compromised.
Under the HIPAA security rules, you must perform a security risk analysis every year. Therefore, you should review it with your HIPAA Security Officer and other team members.
Myth 2: Risk assessments are a waste of time if I have good security.
The fact is that risk assessment is an essential step in a complete information security program. They are vital and not a waste of time. Risk assessments help an organization identify the point of malicious attacks, i.e., where the most significant risks lie.
Identifying these risks and vulnerabilities helps an organization develop strategies and practices to reduce the risk of a successful attack. An organization can do little to reduce the risk of a successful attack if it does not know where the most significant risks are, to begin with.
Risk assessments ensure that the security you have in place is the security you need. If you have a good security policy and you are following it, you should be able to get your risk assessment done quickly.
Myth 3: Risk assessments aren’t necessary.
A risk assessment is not an optional program; instead, it is a part of the standard security program that any enterprise should have. Risk assessments are requirements and can be pretty valuable.
After the analysis and assessment, the experts will identify the threats to the business. In addition, they will explain their findings and advise on ways to further prevent potential hazards and risks.
This is why risk analysis is a mandatory part of the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) program, for example. It is why having a risk analysis conducted is a condition of compliance.
Myth 4: Risk assessments are costly.
Risk assessments do not have to be that expensive since you dictate the complexity and scope of the analysis. Then, with guidance from an expert, you determine the issues that require immediate attention.
What is vital is that you know where the vulnerabilities are and how they can be exploited. Once you know this, you can focus on fixing the problem. You can also do them in-house with your team. Some tools can help you with this.
However, for a professional risk analysis that will stand up to a compliance review, you will need the expert knowledge of an experienced professional. Remember that the cost of a breach will be more than the cost of a risk assessment.
Myth 5: The Security Rule only applies to healthcare providers.
The Security Rule applies to all covered entities, as defined in the Privacy Rule. Health plans, health care clearinghouses, and health care providers are among the list of covered entities who conduct certain transactions electronically.
The Security Rule is not just for healthcare providers or entities that deal with protected health information. The Security Rule applies to any HIPAA-covered entity, regardless of the type of business or industry the entity is in.
Myth 6: A checklist will suffice for the risk analysis requirement.
While there is no doubt that security risk analysis is an essential task, it can be a tedious one. Unfortunately, because the task is so tedious, many people consider it unnecessary and a waste of time.
They believe that you can substitute it with a checklist you fill out after completing a security audit. However, you should not believe that myth about security risk analysis.
Checklists are not a substitute for risk analysis. They are merely used to track what has been done and what you need to do further.
Myth 7: There is a specific risk analysis method I must follow.
When you first begin, it’s tempting to try and find the one risk analysis method that works for everyone. But in reality, you must consider the individual details of your organization and the people involved. You should also consider the resources and equipment that support your business operations.
The most important thing to remember is that risk analysis is a process. While the process may vary depending on the details of your business, there are some general steps that you can apply to almost any situation.
Myth 8: You are safe because you haven’t had a problem yet.
“So far, so good” is a myth that business owners have difficulty letting go of. It’s human nature to hope for the best but plan for the worst.
You probably have a lot on your mind as a business owner, but security is something you can’t afford to ignore. The longer you wait to address it, the bigger the problem.
If you have not done a security risk analysis and are running a business, you are probably not addressing the real risks. Some people believe that the security of their business is not a top concern, but this is a myth that you can’t afford to believe.
The sooner you start addressing the risks and threats your business faces, the easier it will be to avoid a severe security breach.
Conclusion
One of the best ways to prepare for any business risk is to understand the different ways something can affect your business. This way, you can plan how to handle different scenarios. In addition, knowing the myths around security risk analysis will help you understand what to expect when hiring a security risk analysis company.
We hope you enjoyed our article on myths about security risk analysis. With this knowledge, we know that you can build a more substantial risk analysis plan to help your business stay secure from cybercrime.
