How can you develop a cyber threat risk management plan?

Cyber threats are a major challenge for emergency management, as they can disrupt critical infrastructure, compromise sensitive data, and undermine public trust. To protect your organization and your community from cyber risks, you need to develop a cyber threat risk management plan. This plan will help you identify, assess, mitigate, and monitor the potential impacts of cyber attacks on your operations, assets, and stakeholders. Here are some steps to follow to create a cyber threat risk management plan.

1 Establish a team

The first step is to establish a team that will be responsible for developing and implementing the cyber threat risk management plan. This team should include representatives from different functions and levels of your organization, such as IT, security, legal, finance, communications, and leadership. The team should also have clear roles and responsibilities, as well as regular meetings and communication channels. The team should also consult with external experts, partners, and regulators as needed.

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Chester Davis

CEO Global Safety Agency | Countering and Preventing Terrorism and Violent Extremism | U.S DHS-CERT VLP | CISA VLP | FEMA (ISP) & NHS-Training | Perpetual | TOP VOICE LINKEDIN 10 BADGES
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Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) who is responsible for managing the overall cyber risk plan. The CISO may assist in appointing different teams and individual job functions for managing and monitoring cyber risks. A cyber risk management committee should monitor active risks and continually evaluate the unique cybersecurity needs of the business as it grows.

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2 Define the scope

The next step is to define the scope of your cyber threat risk management plan. This means determining what aspects of your organization and your emergency management activities are vulnerable to cyber threats, and what are the potential consequences of a cyber attack. You should consider both internal and external factors, such as your network infrastructure, your data systems, your communication platforms, your service delivery, your reputation, your compliance, and your stakeholders. You should also prioritize the most critical and sensitive areas that need protection.

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Christopher Eberle, D.M.

Head of Risk for Regulated Entities- Americas @ Amazon | Risk management, compliance
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One of the ways I have used to determine where the organization is vulnerable is using red team exercises using testing, reactionary drills, and stress test. These exercises help identify gaps while also running the team through mitigation and recovery drills.

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Chester Davis

CEO Global Safety Agency | Countering and Preventing Terrorism and Violent Extremism | U.S DHS-CERT VLP | CISA VLP | FEMA (ISP) & NHS-Training | Perpetual | TOP VOICE LINKEDIN 10 BADGES
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The scope of the program can be defined in three simple sets of actions; namely, preventive, responsive, and corrective actions.

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3 Assess the risks

The third step is to assess the risks of cyber threats to your organization and your emergency management objectives. This means identifying and analyzing the likelihood and impact of various cyber scenarios, such as data breaches, ransomware attacks, denial-of-service attacks, phishing campaigns, or insider threats. You should use a risk matrix or a similar tool to rank the risks according to their severity and urgency. You should also consider the current and future trends and developments in the cyber landscape, such as emerging technologies, new vulnerabilities, or changing regulations.

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Chester Davis

CEO Global Safety Agency | Countering and Preventing Terrorism and Violent Extremism | U.S DHS-CERT VLP | CISA VLP | FEMA (ISP) & NHS-Training | Perpetual | TOP VOICE LINKEDIN 10 BADGES
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Using a risk assessment matrix, you can quickly determine the risk of your project. A risk prioritization matrix (also referred to as an impact matrix or a probability matrix) is a useful technique that, by focusing on the likelihood of prospective risks, can aid in risk evaluation.

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4 Mitigate the risks

The fourth step is to mitigate the risks of cyber threats by implementing appropriate measures and controls. This means developing and enforcing policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines that will reduce the exposure and impact of cyber threats on your organization and your emergency management operations. You should also provide training and awareness programs for your staff, partners, and stakeholders on cyber security best practices and protocols. You should also invest in technologies and tools that will enhance your cyber resilience and recovery capabilities.

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Chester Davis

CEO Global Safety Agency | Countering and Preventing Terrorism and Violent Extremism | U.S DHS-CERT VLP | CISA VLP | FEMA (ISP) & NHS-Training | Perpetual | TOP VOICE LINKEDIN 10 BADGES
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Cybersecurity awareness training for employees helps you minimize your risks stemming from the human element. No technology solution can help you stop all cyber attacks and data breach vectors. Effective cybersecurity awareness training delivers threat prevention tools to people, not simply an organization.

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5 Monitor the risks

The fifth step is to monitor the risks of cyber threats by conducting regular audits, reviews, and tests. This means measuring and evaluating the effectiveness and performance of your cyber threat risk management plan, as well as identifying and addressing any gaps, issues, or weaknesses. You should also update and revise your plan as needed to reflect the changing cyber environment and the evolving needs and expectations of your organization and your emergency management stakeholders. You should also report and communicate your progress and results to relevant parties.

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Chester Davis

CEO Global Safety Agency | Countering and Preventing Terrorism and Violent Extremism | U.S DHS-CERT VLP | CISA VLP | FEMA (ISP) & NHS-Training | Perpetual | TOP VOICE LINKEDIN 10 BADGES
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IT infrastructure monitoring is a crucial part of cyber risk management, enabling organisations to detect cyber-attacks in their infancy and respond to them before they cause damage and disruption.

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6 Learn from the risks

The sixth step is to learn from the risks of cyber threats by collecting and analyzing feedback, lessons, and best practices. This means capturing and documenting the knowledge and experience gained from your cyber threat risk management plan, as well as from any cyber incidents or events that may occur. You should also share and disseminate your findings and recommendations with your team, your organization, and your emergency management community. You should also seek and apply new insights and innovations that will improve your cyber threat risk management plan and your cyber security culture.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Dr. Jaime Kelly (SFPC, SAPPC, PSC, CBCP)

✨Safeguarding Assets, People, and Information with Unmatched Expertise: Industrial Security Expert | Leader in Personnel & Information Security | Counter Insider Threat Strategist | Risk Management Framework Specialist
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In my experience, crafting a comprehensive risk management plan necessitates recognizing it as a dynamic, ongoing endeavor. Regular reviews are imperative to ensure its adaptability to evolving threat landscapes, thereby fostering proactive adjustments to effectively address emerging risks within the environment.

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How can you develop a cyber threat risk management plan?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Establish a team

2 Define the scope

3 Assess the risks

4 Mitigate the risks

5 Monitor the risks

6 Learn from the risks

7 Here’s what else to consider

Emergency Management

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How can you develop a cyber threat risk management plan?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Establish a team

2 Define the scope

3 Assess the risks

4 Mitigate the risks

5 Monitor the risks

6 Learn from the risks

7 Here’s what else to consider

Emergency Management

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