Information Security Risk Analysis

by Thomas R. Peltier

Overview

Successful security professionals have had to modify the process of responding to new threats in the high-profile, ultra-connected business environment. But just because a threat exists does not mean that your organization is at risk. This is what risk assessment is all about. Information Security Risk Analysis, Third Edition demonstrates how to identify threats your company faces and then determine if those threats pose a real risk to your organization.

Providing access to more than 350 pages of helpful ancillary materials, this volume:

• Presents and explains the key components of risk management
• Demonstrates how the components of risk management are absolutely necessary and work in your organization and business situation
• Shows how a cost-benefit analysis is part of risk management and how this analysis is performed as part of risk mitigation
• Explains how to draw up an action plan to protect the assets of your organization when the risk assessment process concludes
• Examines the difference between a Gap Analysis and a Security or Controls Assessment
• Presents case studies and examples of all risk management components

Authored by renowned security expert and certification instructor, Thomas Peltier, this authoritative reference provides you with the knowledge and the skill-set needed to achieve a highly effective risk analysis assessment in a matter of days. Supplemented with user-friendly checklists, forms, questionnaires, sample assessments, and other documents, this work is truly a one-stop, how-to resource for industry and academia professionals.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781439839560
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	03/16/2010
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	456
Product dimensions:	6.40(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.10(d)

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments xi

About the Author xiii

Introduction xv

1 The Facilitated Risk Analysis and Assessment Process (FRAAP) 1

1.1 Introduction 1

1.2 FRAAP Overview 2

1.3 FRAAP History 3

1.4 Introducing the FRAAP 5

1.4.1 Key Concepts 6

1.5 The Pre-FRAAP Meeting 8

1.5.1 Pre-FRAAP Meeting Checklist 13

1.5.2 Pre-FRAAP Meeting Summary 18

1.6 The FRAAP Session 18

1.6.1 Overview 18

1.6.2 FRAAP Session Introduction 19

1.6.3 FRAAP Session Talking Points 20

1.6.4 FRAAP Threats Identification 22

1.6.5 Identifying Threats Using a Checklist 25

1.6.6 Identifying Existing Controls 26

1.6.7 Establishing Risk Levels 26

1.6.8 Residual Risk 30

1.7 Using a Threats Identification Checklist 38

1.7.1 FRAAP Session Summary 43

1.8 Post-FRAAP Process 47

1.8.1 Complete the Action Plan 50

1.9 Conclusion 54

2 Risk Analysis (Project Impact Analysis) 57

2.1 Overview 57

2.2 The Difference between Risk Analysis and Risk Assessment 57

2.3 Risk Analysis and Due Diligence 58

2.4 Risk Assessment and Fiduciary Duty 58

2.5 Performing a Risk Analysis 59

2.6 Risk Analysis Elements 61

2.7 Other Considerations 62

2.8 When to Conduct a Risk Analysis 64

2.9 Final Words 64

2.10 Sample Risk Analysis Questionnaire 65

2.11 Sample Risk Analysis Report Outline 65

3 Pre-Screening 67

3.1 Introduction 67

3.2 Background 71

3.2.1 Pre-Screening Example 1 71

3.2.2 Pre-Screening Example 2 73

3.2.3 Pre-Screening Example 3 75

3.2.4 Pre-Screening Example 4 78

3.3 Summary 78

4 Business Impact Analysis 81

4.1 Overview 81

4.2 BIA versus Risk Assessment 82

4.3 Creating a BIA Process 83

4.4 Creating the Financial Impact Table 84

4.5 Working the BIA Process 86

4.6 Additional Examples 88

4.7 Objectives of the BIA 93

4.8 Using Questionnaires for a BIA 93

4.9 Data Collection and Analysis 95

4.10 Prepare Management Presentation 96

4.11 Final Thoughts 97

5 Gap Analysis 99

5.1 Introduction 99

5.2 Background 99

5.3 GAP Analysis Process 100

5.3.1 Gap Analysis Example 1 103

5.3.2 Gap Analysis Example 2 106

5.3.3 How to Use the Self-Assessment Checklist 107

5.4 Summary 108

Appendix A Facilitator Skills 111

Appendix B FRAAP Team Members 117

Introduction 117

The Risk Assessment Team 118

Conclusion 123

Appendix C Project Scope Statement 125

Overview 125

Summary 128

Appendix D Laws, Standards, and Regulations 129

Appendix E Frequently Asked Questions about Risk Management 131

Introduction 131

Is There a Difference between Risk Analysis and Risk Assessment? 131

Why Should a Risk Analysis Be Conducted? 132

When Should a Risk Assessment Be Conducted? 132

Who Should Conduct the Risk Assessment? 133

How Long Should a Risk Assessment Take? 134

What Can a Risk Analysis or Risk Assessment Analyze? 134

Who Should Review the Results of a Risk Analysis and Risk Assessment? 134

How Is the Success of the Risk Analysis Measured? 135

Summary 135

Appendix F Risk Analysis versus Risk Assessment 137

Overview 137

The Difference between Risk Analysis and Risk Assessment 137

Risk Analysis and Due Diligence 138

Risk Assessment and Fiduciary Duty 138

Conducting a Risk Assessment 139

Risk Assessment Timetable 140

Risk Assessment and Risk Analysis Results 140

Risk Management Metrics 140

Summary 141

Appendix G Sample Threat Checklist 143

Appendix H Sample BIA Questionnaire 153

Appendix I Sample Risk Assessment Management Summary Report 251

Risk Assessment Scope Summary 252

Assessment Methodology Used 252

Assessment Findings and Action Plan 253

Full Findings Documentation 254

Conclusion 254

Appendix J Project Scope Statement 259

Introduction 259

Project Statement 260

Specifications 260

Well-Defined Standards and Metrics 262

Summary 263

Appendix K Why Risk Assessments Fail 265

Scope Creep 265

Ineffective Project Team 266

Stating Concerns as How They Impact Security 266

Every Threat Is a Major Concern 267

Conclusion 267

Appendix L Gap Analysis Examples 269

Overview 269

Gap Analysis Using ISO 17799 270

Answer the Following Questions 270

Gap Analysis Using Utility-Specific Standards 298

Gap Analysis Sample 3 Using Combination of Standards and Laws 344

Appendix M Control Lists 399

Overview 399

Appendix N Heat Charts 423

Index 431

Editorial Reviews

Introduces risk analysis techniques that can be used to identify and quantify both accidental and malicious threats to computer systems within an organization. The author walks through the qualitative risk analysis process using such techniques as the practical application of risk analysis (PARA) and the facilitated risk analysis process (FRAP). A case study of a truck rental company illustrates application of the method. The appendices provide a questionnaire and sample process forms. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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